Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA

Cardiff-by-the-Sea is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Cardiff-by-the-Sea is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California (131)

    1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

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

    $50 - $650 / night

    "South Carlsbad State Beach is extremely crowded (like many coastal campsites in Southern California), but has very easy access to your own space on the beach below the cliffs."

    "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."

    2. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    38 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."

    "Pick a spot - $75 gets you on the bluff with hookups $50 gets you on the bluff but no hookups $35 gets you on the other side Trash, recycling, and sewage disposal ($10) nearby."

    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. Dos Picos County Park

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

    $24 - $100 / night

    "Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well."

    "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."

    5. Dixon Lake Campground

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

    $39 - $50 / night

    "You can drive right up and park and camp! Nice beautiful lake to look at and fish. You must purchase a license, which they sell there for a few bucks. Bon fires allowed as well."

    "We come here to hike all the time, our dog especially loves this trail! The campsites looks dispersed and absolutely beautiful! The views are worth taking in."

    6. Oceanside RV Resort

    15 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. Campland on the Bay

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

    $60 / night

    "There’s a pool, a park, a dog park, the beach, a bar, an arcade, and so many things you can rent for the water and on land."

    "It's a beautiful location with lots of amenities. Many people don't know about the dog park, which is quite large! There is also a well equipped gym."

    8. 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."

    "The campground was nice and quiet, yet close to all. There were plenty of trails for walking dogs. Spaces had nice separation between them."

    9. Paradise By The Sea RV Resort

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

    "BUT- go out the locked gate at the back of the grounds, walk thru a park and across a (not too busy) street and there is the Pacific Ocean."

    "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,"

    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."

    "Dog park, pool, clubhouse. We loved site 3 so close to the amenities and restrooms. Overall amazing stay"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 131 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA

1332 Reviews of 131 Cardiff-by-the-Sea Campgrounds


  • Jason L.
    Nov. 15, 2022

    San Elijo State Beach Campground

    Great beach camping!

    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. I’ve dry camped here many times and have always enjoyed it. Dog friendly beach! *on leash

  • Sabrina V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Circle RV Resort

    It’s OK for a couple weeks

    Amenities isn’t all that great when they’re not maintained well. Gym has damaged equipment, pool has lose hand rails and heated pool is filthy. Pool furniture is outdated, broken and dirty. They will only play country music at the pool. The shower house looks like it has recently been updated but smells and has mold growing already. They do not allow any kind of camper except big rigs/trailers. They have a “dog park”, which is very small and smell horrendous due to there only being fake plastic grass. Most owners will also not clean up after their pets, so you or your dog may step into feces quite often there. RV park is between highway and main road - no quiet found here. Rules on what you’re allowed to put up for shade will vary depending on how much management likes you there. All in all an Ok place if you aren’t actually spending you time there.

  • Milagros B.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Escondido RV Resort

    🚙Campground🔹

    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. 🔹For sure we will stay again and recommend🔹

  • Chuck T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2018

    Admiral Baker RV Park

    Centrally located near Mission Valley

    Nice park, huge grassy area..dog park near by. Sites are close but there is open space behind your unit..NOT on a base, but bathhouse is coded entry to only allow registered guests use..

  • C
    Apr. 7, 2022

    Admiral Baker RV Park

    Beautiful clean RV park within a park

    RV spots are arranged in a horseshoe around a park with a playground. Sites on outside of horseshoe have to walk between interior sites to get to the park, bathrooms and laundry. Wi-Fi is good enough to work remotely. We didn’t try streaming.

    Adjacent to the RV park are sports fields, picnic areas and a golf course.

    The dog park is nice and clean and is reserved for RV park guests. The pool is beautiful and has a two-story tall slide. The pool is closed this summer and next (2022-23) but is normally open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

    RV park is open to military and retired military.

  • Moo
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Oceanside RV Resort

    For tent campers - pretty solid place for a quick couple stays

    First, the campsite has the MOST CLEANEST restroom and shower booths I have ever visited for tent camping. This is no doubt that for those folks who are needed for good built qaulity toiletery, this will be your location.

    For the down sides;

    1. The trains - There is a rail right behind the tent sites so if you are looking for the tent sites with quiet location: PLEASE STAY AWAY from here. the trains do not operate from around 10 pm, back on operating starting from 5 am.

    2. for T1 tent site, BE AWARE that there is a dog park RIGHT next to the tent site: there will be a urine odor all over the place.

    3. If you are planning on cooking, just be aware that there is no proper location to do a dish wash. You would need some sort of wipes to do.

  • Jeff T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2024

    Escondido RV Resort

    Amazing resort style amenities. Spacious sites

    People are complaining about freeway noise, we stayed in site 3 (the closest site to the freeway) and it was quiet as a mouse from inside our (insulated) RV. Amazing amenities. Dog park, pool, clubhouse. We loved site 3 so close to the amenities and restrooms. Overall amazing stay

  • Milagros B.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Pala Casino Spa Resort

    🚙Forest campground🔹

    🔹location in front of Pala Casino. 🔹Great guest services. Full hookups sites. Propano fills available. The spot are big as well, each spot have a picnic table! Resort-style amenities. Nice Pool, kids playground and dog park great! Near Gas station and small market! 🔹We sure

    will stay again and recommend

  • Chad C.
    Oct. 8, 2022

    Loomerland

    Excellent little getaway with animals!

    Our family of 3 just left the campground this morning, and we had a great time during our 1 night stay.  To find it, just plug the GPS coordinates into Google maps and follow the instructions.  It’s fairly primitive (outhouse and water spigot), but the sky is clear and the whole place is very serene with trees and nature. They have several protective, very human-friendly dogs on the property.  They also open the barn around 0800 and allow campers to pet the rabbits, chickens, cats, pigs, turkey, ducks, and even feed the goats.  Sites have campfire rings (bring your own wood), picnic table, and a couple Adirondack style chairs.  The staff is also very friendly and informative.  We will certainly be back.


Guide to Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Discover the best spots for pets-allowed camping near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, where you can enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friends.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

  • This campground offers easy beach access, allowing you and your pet to enjoy the sun and surf together at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground.
  • With amenities like picnic tables and firewood available, you can create a cozy atmosphere for your pet while enjoying a meal outdoors.
  • The campground is known for its friendly atmosphere, making it a great place for pets to socialize with other campers.

Tips for camping with dogs near Cardiff-by-the-Sea

  • Make sure to keep your dog leashed at all times, especially in crowded areas like San Elijo State Beach Campground, where many families gather.
  • Bring plenty of fresh water and snacks for your pet, as some campgrounds may not have convenient access to pet supplies.
  • Choose a site that offers some privacy, as this can help your dog feel more comfortable and secure during your stay.

Dog owners appreciate the amenities at Dos Picos County Park

  • At Dos Picos County Park, you’ll find spacious sites with electric hookups, perfect for keeping your pet comfortable.
  • The park features walking trails that are ideal for exercising your dog while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
  • With a friendly staff and well-maintained facilities, this campground ensures a pleasant experience for both you and your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA?

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

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 131 dog-friendly camping locations near Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.