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Best Campgrounds near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA

1,300 Reviews

Cardiff By The Sea has several camping options along the California coast. San Elijo State Beach Campground sits right on the beach with good facilities and ocean views. Dixon Lake Campground offers more private sites away from crowds, with nice spots overlooking the lake. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground puts you right by the ocean where you can fall asleep to crashing waves. All these places have basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and bathrooms with shower facilities. You can drive directly to most campsites on paved roads without much trouble. Make sure to book ahead in summer and on holidays since these spots fill up fast. Some sites have tree cover while others are out in the open, so you can pick what works for you. San Elijo and South Carlsbad are great if you want to be near the water, while Dixon Lake is quieter and more removed from beach crowds. These campgrounds near Cardiff have good options whether you're staying for a night or a week.

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Best Camping Sites Near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California (170)

    1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    77 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "If you’re headed to San Diego, be sure to stop and check out Carlsbad just off of the 5. this awesome beach town is quintessential Southern California beach awesomeness and it is absolutely gorgeous."

    "One of best beach campgrounds in California. Beach is right there next to camping. Restroom and shower are clean even though too many people there"

    2. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    37 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 753-5091

    $50 - $520 / night

    "Fun beachside campground in Cardiff by the Sea, California. Not quiet or remote at all. Nice local market and lots of restaurants nearby. Great surf spot."

    "If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."

    3. Del Mar Beach Cottages

    10 Reviews
    Encinitas, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 725-4640

    $35 - $65 / night

    "The campsites are small but it is clean and family friendly also located right on a big beautiful beach. You must have a military ID to camp here, you can have alcohol on the beach but no glass."

    "But being that close to the ocean was wonderful! You just can’t beat falling asleep to ocean waves!"

    4. Dixon Lake Campground

    24 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 839-4045

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Dixon lake is a perfect spot for my nephews to fish and play in the dirt. The campsites look really nice and ideal for tents. The walks around the lake are definitely worth doing!"

    "I grew up in Oceanside and people talked about camping at Dixon lake in Escondido and I thought it was lame and not “real” camping. Having never been there, I based this off nothing."

    5. Dos Picos County Park

    33 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "The creek eventually flows into a pond located on the other end of the campground. The pond is actually pretty large! Lots of space to walk around and explore."

    "The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity.

    Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."

    6. Oceanside RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 864-2728

    "Overall liked this rv park, close to town for us to explore all the restaurants close by. Beach is a 5-10 minute walk. Staff was friendly ask for Diana sweetheart."

    "After circling back and now coming from the east, the narrow drive with the street light and curb wasn't enough for us to turn...so backed it up and went to the wider entrance down the street."

    7. Guajome Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 724-4489

    $29 - $35 / night

    "For the price of full hook up ($35) in a location so close to the beach, I call it a win. It was beautiful with a pond and walking paths. There were many dogs and we saw horses on the paths too."

    "Flush toilets available and a nice nature walk around a lake. The park was a great/affordable base camp for nearby Legoland amusement park."

    8. Campland on the Bay

    19 Reviews
    Coronado, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (858) 581-4205

    $60 / night

    "It sits next to the bay, which is calmer and the beach. I've seen people jet ski, sail, paddle boat, play beach volleyball, and swim, and there are even bonfire pits on the beach!"

    "We had 4 campsites all next to each other. The camp hosts were all very nice, they drove around quite a bit making sure all was good. For how many sites they have it didn’t seem too crowded."

    9. Paradise By The Sea RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 439-1376

    "The campground is situated very close to the beach and has all the amenities to make life easier.  I was very impressed with the level of security at this campground to include day and night patrols,"

    "Love how there was so much to do on the grounds and around.

    They had an indoor rec room with billiards, shuffle board and more.

    Outdoor rec area with corn hole, picnic area and more."

    10. Escondido RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 239-5273

    "Location near I-15 and Gas stations. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups. Fill propane avaible. Resort-style amenities. Heated outdoor Pool. Nice dog park. Access to a park for walking."

    "The site itself is simply stunning, nestled in a peaceful and beautiful location that provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA

404 Photos of 170 Cardiff-by-the-Sea Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA

1300 Reviews of 170 Cardiff-by-the-Sea Campgrounds

Guide to Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Camping near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, offers a fantastic mix of beach vibes and outdoor fun. With several campgrounds in the area, you can enjoy the sun, surf, and scenic views while making lasting memories.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like San Elijo State Beach Campground, are right by the ocean. One camper mentioned, "Amazing site in a little town with all you need for a weekend getaway… just at the sea, nice food, great beach and surfing possibilities for the entire family."
  • Biking and Running: The area has great bike lanes. A reviewer at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground noted, "Great if you want to ride along PCH. This stretch has good bike lanes that take you into Oceanside or Encinitas."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Dixon Lake Campground, you can rent boats and enjoy fishing. A visitor shared, "The campground has coin-operated showers and cheap boat rentals."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning views. One guest at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach said, "There are mature trees between every campsite that provide privacy between sites."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Lake Jennings, are praised for their cleanliness. A camper remarked, "Bathrooms, playground, hikes, 360 views. We went during winter storms and it was still so beautiful!"
  • Friendly Staff: Campers appreciate the helpful staff at places like San Diego Metro KOA. One visitor noted, "Great place if you’re in the San Diego area. Every amenity, wonderful customer service."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some sites can get busy, especially during peak season. A reviewer at San Elijo State Beach Campground mentioned, "It can get very crowded and packed."
  • No Hookups at Some Sites: Many campgrounds, like South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, have limited hookups. A camper pointed out, "Mostly no hookups, but has toilets and fresh water throughout."
  • Road Noise: If you're sensitive to noise, be aware that some campgrounds, such as Silver Strand State Beach, are near busy roads. A visitor noted, "Road noise is high."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Sites with Amenities: Look for campgrounds with facilities like showers and playgrounds. A family at Lake Jennings enjoyed, "The ladies at the front are always so incredibly sweet! This is the most peaceful campground we have stayed in yet."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at San Mateo Campground mentioned, "Great running. You can lap the campsite, which is almost 1 mile, end to end."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A reviewer at San Elijo State Beach Campground mentioned, "There is a small shop/cafe with live music."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Dixon Lake Campground said, "Spot #45 is very private, I highly suggest this spot!!"
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at San Diego Metro KOA noted, "Our grill had been moved to the end of the driveway and was full of trash."
  • Plan for Dumping: Be aware of dump station availability. A reviewer at San Mateo Campground mentioned, "The dump site was closed this weekend."

Camping near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while being close to the beach. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 170 campgrounds and RV parks near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA is South Carlsbad State Beach Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 77 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA.

What parks are near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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