Camping options near Cambria extend from coastal sites at San Simeon State Park to oak-dotted inland sites with wildflowers in spring. The Central California coast experiences mild temperatures averaging 55-65°F year-round with frequent evening fog, especially in summer months. The region's campsites sit within 10 miles of Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), providing access to both shoreline and forest camping environments.
What to do
Visit elephant seal viewing areas: The rookery north of San Simeon offers year-round wildlife viewing with peak seasons from December to March for birthing and April to May for molting. "The elephant seals are always fun to go watch, and individuals can sometimes be seen on San Simeon beach. This beach is open to the public, and the seals are not behind any barriers as they are at the rookery," notes Amanda M. from Washburn Primitive Campground.
Explore downtown Morro Bay: Located about 20 minutes south of Cambria, the harbor area offers shopping, dining, and wildlife viewing. "Quick walk to the harbor, cafe, waterfront and walking trails. We have family in the area and bring our rig when visiting," says Louis F. of Morro Bay State Park Campground.
Hike mountain trails: Cerro Alto Trail offers panoramic views of the coast and inland valleys. "The 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!" shares Chanel C. about her experience at Cerro Alto Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Washburn Campground. "Spots are spaced a decent amount apart, some with foliage providing privacy. The camper pads are level, paved, and designated as either 25- or 35-foot campsites," notes Lee D. about San Simeon Creek Campground. At Washburn, sites are even more spacious: "Spots are fairly far apart 50-70 feet. Just fire ring, table, and parking spot," according to Michael at Washburn Primitive Campground.
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds provide walking paths to beach areas. "Short walk to beach access. San Simeon town just 5 min away," Rick G. mentions about San Simeon Creek Campground. Similarly, at Morro Strand State Beach Campground, "You can't get any closer to the ocean, and if you are lucky enough to camp in one of the sites on the west side, you have an unobstructed view of the waves," shares Angela D.
Night sky viewing: The coastal area offers excellent stargazing opportunities. "Nightsky was amazing! I saw a shooting star and many satellites. Would for sure camp again if in the San Luis Obispo area," reports Sebastian D. about TV Tower Road Dispersed Camping.
What you should know
Water availability varies by campground: Water sources differ greatly between sites. "There are water spigots in Washburn, which have had running water for the last year or so; the water had previously been shut off due to the drastic drought," explains Amanda M. about Washburn Campground. Meanwhile, at Islay Creek Campground, "There are two water spigots but they are a bit hard to find. They are right in the middle but hidden behind things," warns Ryan W.
Cellular reception challenges: Signal strength varies widely across the area. "We did find Washburn quieter with less freeway traffic. Cell reception isn't the best," reports Karen B. At San Simeon, different carriers perform better than others, with T-Mobile showing stronger performance than other networks.
Wildlife caution needed: Local wildlife can impact camping experience. "Raccoons will 100% rush your site as soon as you go to sleep to see if there are any fun goodies laying about. Put stuff away," advises Ryan W. about Islay Creek Campground. At other locations, campers report encounters with squirrels, ticks, and other wildlife.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near amenities: For family camping, bathroom proximity matters. "We were in site 19 and 10. Site 19 faced the beach but it was really the shrubs. Some sites that face the beach do have a nice view of the ocean but 19 did not," shares Lynna C. about Morro Strand State Beach Campground. Consider site selection carefully when booking.
Look for protected sites during windy conditions: Coastal winds can be challenging for tents. "We did have some trouble with a lady who was clearly spending the night in her van and kept yelling at us that we were parked in her space. The camp host came over in the morning and confirmed that we were parked right where we were supposed to park," Shannon S. recalls about Cerro Alto Campground, highlighting the importance of properly reserving spaces.
Bring full water supplies: Some campgrounds have limited water. "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. Hearst castle was fun to visit," notes Isabelle T. about Washburn Campground.
Tips for RVers
Check site lengths carefully: RV sites vary in size and configuration. "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. Surprisingly enough, we saw some rather large rigs in some of the spaces," warns Lee D. about San Simeon State Park.
Be prepared for dump station fees: Recent policy changes affect dump services. "Dump station is no longer free for campers, it's now $10, which is the case for all California State Parks now," Laura M. mentions about Washburn Primitive Campground.
Consider dog-friendly beach options: While many campgrounds around Cambria accept pets, beach access varies. At some dog-friendly campgrounds near Cambria, beach areas may not permit pets. Several reviewers note that dogs must stay at camp when visiting certain beaches and are not permitted on trails within some parks.
