Cambria sits along California's central coast where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. With elevations ranging from sea level to 4,800 feet in nearby peaks, this region creates diverse camping microclimates. Year-round temperatures typically range from 45°F to 75°F, making it suitable for outdoor recreation in all seasons, though summer brings larger crowds to established campgrounds and glamping facilities.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Cerro Alto Campground, trails lead to scenic viewpoints. "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!" A camper also noted, "We loved the site and will definitely return" despite occasional crowded conditions.
Lake activities: Lake Nacimiento Resort offers boating and fishing opportunities just 30 minutes from Cambria. "We camped right on the lake and were able to pay to have our boat docked overnight. Huge lake awesome experience, we were able to do some night wake boarding which I had never done," shares one visitor who enjoyed the water recreation options.
Bird watching: The coastal areas around Cambria support diverse bird populations. "We checked in on Friday and setup camp. The site is clean and fairly level. Very little wind and lots of shade made for a perfect weekend," reports a camper at Lopez Lake Recreation Area, where birding opportunities abound along the shoreline.
What campers like
Private glamping sites: Luxury camping options near Cambria provide varying levels of privacy. At Flying Flags Avila Beach, a visitor mentioned, "Sites are spaced decently, but still 10-ish feet apart. Propane fire pits at each site. Clean bathrooms and lovely, huge private shower rooms." The property's ocean proximity enhances the experience: "Watching to cotton candy sky show every night while listening to the seals bark from the ocean."
Family-friendly amenities: Santa Margarita KOA offers structured activities for children. "Easter weekend visit. Staff was awesome. The cabin was exactly what we needed for a low impact weekend of camping. Proximity to the lake was great. We had so much fun out on the water doing some fishing. The highlight for my kids was the Easter egg hunt put on by the staff."
Natural surroundings: Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach provides easy beach access in a natural setting. One camper noted, "This campground is awesome. It's very beautiful, with lots of wildflowers, trees, trails, beach dunes…and squirrels. Lots of them. But we also saw and heard hawks, turkey vultures, owls, and many other birds. We also saw a cute little weasel."
What you should know
Water levels fluctuate: Lakes in the region experience significant water level changes. A visitor to Lake San Antonio observed, "San Antonio Lake is 17 miles long and narrow with both north shore and south shore campgrounds. The South Shore Campground has more amenities such as flushing toilets, showers and a marina, launch ramp and boat rentals." However, "Summer droughts can reduce water levels significantly. Check the status prior to visiting."
Bathroom facilities vary: Glamping sites generally offer better facilities than traditional campgrounds. At Cerro Alto, "No showers and only pit (long drop) toilets. They provide toilet paper, but it is superrrrr thin. Bring your own." Conversely, Flying Flags Avila Beach features "clean bathrooms and lovely, huge private shower rooms."
Reservations essential: Most glamping facilities near Cambria require advance booking. One visitor to Flying Flags noted, "The place isn't cheap and it isn't easy to get reservations. You will need months of advanced notice." During peak seasons, some properties enforce minimum stays: "During certain times a year they want a 5 night minimum, so be aware."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy spotting animals at various campgrounds. "We fell asleep to the sound of a resident Pygmy Owl hooting and woke up to Acorn Woodpeckers, Toweys, Robins, Steller Jays, and Warblers singing," reported a visitor to Cerro Alto Campground, though they also cautioned about "TICKS TICKS TICKS. Make sure you read the warnings and stay on the trails."
Recreational facilities: Lake San Antonio - North Shore offers structured play areas. "We stayed at a cottage at Lake San Antonio. We were fortunate to have a local show us around. Grandpa is a local to Bradley and this is a favorite spot when we want to get away but still have all the accommodations of home."
Bug protection: Insect repellent is essential, particularly at coastal campgrounds. At Oceano Campground, a camper warned, "Also, mosquitoes! How could I forget. Bring bug spray and citronella or thermacills. They're out and about and it's not fun if you're not prepared. There's a Walmart not too far away."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose RV sites carefully based on specific needs. At Nacimiento Lake Resort, "We were in pine knoll with a great view of the lake! We scored with the size of our site! Our site was shaded all morning and all afternoon." Another camper suggested specific sites: "Camp sites # 313, 217, 215, 311 were the ones we like for size and view."
Limited maneuvering space: Some glamping facilities have tight access roads. At Flying Flags Avila Beach, "When they designed it, they didn't really make enough room to maneuver. I watched a Class A next to plow up a bank with his front end. Some scratches resulted and some plowed earth. I am always counting on no additional people parked in front of our site so I can maneuver easier."
Hookup availability: Full hookups are available at several properties near Cambria, though quality varies. At Santa Margarita KOA, "We stayed in site 28. AT&T cell service was zero to very poor at our site. WiFi was poor and slow. They advertised good WiFi in our spot but it just wasn't so."
