Camping near Cambria, California places visitors along a stretch of Central California coastline where average summer temperatures rarely exceed 75°F. The region sits at the edge of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, creating a unique microclimate where coastal fog rolls in most summer mornings. Most campgrounds in this area operate year-round with water access, though fire restrictions become common during dry seasons from late summer through fall.
What to do
Beach exploration: Morro Strand State Beach Campground offers direct beach access with limited development. "The beach is another story. I am from SoCal and my husband is from SoFlo and we were not impressed with the beach at all. It smells, has lots of unsightly and strange looking seaweed that I wouldn't want to ever encounter if I was in the ocean," reports Lynna C., though many visitors find the unique coastal ecosystem fascinating.
Wildlife viewing: Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park provides exceptional wildlife spotting opportunities. "Pretty basic but nice camp ground. Close enough to walk to a cute little beach. Bathrooms but no showers," notes Kelly S. The park's name translates to "Mountain of Gold" for its wildflowers that bloom each spring.
Hiking trails: Multiple trailheads originate within campgrounds. "Cerro Alto Trail is located right inside the campground. Day Use parking is $10. The hike is really beautiful and on a clear day you can see the ocean at peak!" mentions Chanel C. about Cerro Alto Campground. Most trails offer ocean views within the first mile of hiking.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Washburn Primitive Campground, campers appreciate the spacing. "It's lovely, quiet, and dark. You can hear the ocean. Cell reception isn't the best," shares Ashley. The campground sits on a hilltop with minimal tree coverage between sites.
Reasonable pricing: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value. "Only $20 for a primitive site. The Washburn area is a short drive from the main camping entrance. There are pit toilets and most sites are quite level," notes Isabelle T. This represents significant savings compared to other coastal campgrounds.
Beach access: Morro Dunes RV Park scores high for its location. "Best part about the RV park is its location, right next to the dunes! The RV park is clean and well maintained," reports Esther Y. The park connects directly to beach access points via short trails through protective dune areas.
Connectivity options: Cell service varies significantly by provider. "Att and Verizon have weak but usable service, and the WeBoost does help here," notes Laura M. about Washburn Campground. Most campgrounds feature better reception for AT&T and T-Mobile than Verizon.
What you should know
Toilet situations: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The bathrooms are not clean and there is no light. It does have beach access and lots of trees," reports Carrie A. about San Simeon Creek Campground. Primitive campgrounds like Washburn offer only pit toilets while developed sites provide flush toilets.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially weekends. At Cerro Alto Campground, "We got here on a Friday around 11am for a walk in site and the campground was packed. Luckily the campground hosts were very nice and had placed us in the overflow campsites," shares Stacy C. Reservations made 3-6 months ahead provide the best site selection.
Potential hazards: Wildlife encounters include more than viewing opportunities. At Montaña de Oro State Park, "Although the location is very scenic and a 10 min walk to the beach, I wouldn't return because there are ALOT of ticks at the campground. We went with a party of 11 and found multiple ticks on 5 people," warns Val H. Thorough tick checks should be part of your daily routine.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require careful driving. "We were going up these hills and like I've been on some bumpy roads and it started out fine... but the farther we went, the worse the roads got," warns Silas M. about TV Tower Road dispersed camping. Low-clearance vehicles may struggle reaching certain sites.
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed campgrounds: Morro Bay State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "The Morro Bay State park offers a scenic coastal campground nestled in tall eucalyptus trees just a stones throw from the water. There is plenty to see and do in town, and the campground has a kayaking company within walking distance," recommends Jessica P.
Select the right campsite: Location within campgrounds matters. "Sites 17-19 have a decent amount of shade and the most foliage separation. They back up to the park, and there are trails on the hillside above," suggests Annie C. about Morro Strand State Beach. Corner sites typically offer more space for children to play.
Watch for wildlife: While fascinating, local wildlife requires caution. "We had such a wonderful time staying 3 nights at Cerro Alto campground. Most sites are spaced for privacy. Very quite & peaceful. Easy access to hiking trails (Cerro Alto summit) from campsite," shares Becbecandbunny O., though they note the abundant wildlife includes potentially problematic squirrels and raccoons.
Tips from RVers
Consider site dimensions: At Creek Tent Campground, "The camper pads are level, paved, and designated as either 25 - or 35-foot campsites. Site 102 was a 25-foot site but IMO that is a stretch as our 18-foot campervan fit but not with much extra room," notes Lee D. Always check specific site dimensions when booking.
Plan for limited hookups: Most campgrounds near Cambria lack full hookups. "Sites are spaced close together but no major issues with noisy neighbors. Nice little dog run," reports Esther Y. about Morro Dunes RV Park, one of the few locations offering complete hookups.
Prepare for coastal conditions: Weather affects camping comfort. "Weather can be fickle with cold, wind and fog even in summer. Quiet at night. A few sites have beach views," explains Leonard H. about Morro Strand. Morning fog can create condensation issues for RVs, so proper ventilation remains essential.
