Campsites near Corona del Mar, California sit along the coastal bluffs with elevations ranging from 20-110 feet above sea level. The Mediterranean climate features average summer temperatures of 75°F and winter temperatures rarely dropping below 55°F. Rain is minimal from May through October, making waterfront camping options viable nearly year-round with minimal weather concerns.
What to do
Beach access trails: 1.5 mile hike to Trestles Beach. At San Mateo Campground, the trail to the beach offers both exercise and scenery. "A fun little hike (1.5 miles) to the walk until tresels beach. I think it's 2 miles all together. The beach is beautiful, great for surfing!" notes a camper at San Mateo Campground.
Hiking on No Name Ridge: Crystal Cove Backcountry offers primitive camping with ocean views. "After the steep beginning, you feel a sense of being father in the wilderness then you really are. Tons of Hawks hunting all over the top of the hill," says a visitor to Crystal Cove Backcountry. The area features a 10-mile perimeter loop trail system.
Story Trail for children: O'Neill Regional Park offers educational hiking for young campers. "Great playground for children. Recently paved streets (perfect for scootering, skating, biking). Easy and fun 'Story Trail' hike for children. The hike features a new book every month, each page is mounted to a placard along the trail," according to a review from O'Neill Regional Park.
What campers like
Ocean views from tiered campsites: Moro Campground offers elevated views on terraced sites. "The sites are terraced, so no matter which site you get you'll have a view of the ocean. It is in a developed area of Laguna Beach, so there is not much solitude or quiet enjoyment of nature. However, it's super convenient to have stores like Trader Joe's and restaurants just a few minutes away," says a reviewer at Moro Campground.
Proximity to urban conveniences: Some campers appreciate the blend of nature with nearby amenities. "O'Neil is a great little park that's tucked away among the urban sprawl of Orange County. Once in the park you feel like you're far out in the wilderness. It makes for a great weekend great away. There's a general store nearby but its stock is limited. There's also Trabuco Oaks Steakhouse across the street if you get tired of cooking," notes a camper.
Protected beach swimming: Newport Dunes offers a safe swimming environment. "We spent 5 days here and loved it. While we came a little too late for the obstacle course, the paddle boards and the cove were amazing," explains a visitor at Newport Dunes RV Resort. Water activities remain the primary draw for families camping near Corona del Mar.
What you should know
Campsite proximity: Many campsites in the area have limited privacy between sites. "Each campsite has a fire container, barbeque, and a picnic table under trellis type structure. Clean flush toilets. Beautiful location next to the ocean," reports a camper at San Clemente State Beach Campground. Most state parks have well-defined sites with standard amenities.
Noise considerations: Traffic noise affects several camping areas. "Great location. I mean what can I say to diminish a beach spot for 60 bucks? How about a motorcycle passing right outside your bedroom window at 12,000 rpm every two minutes all night long? Yeah, that'll do it. Bring earplugs and lots of white noise," advises a visitor to Bolsa Chica State Beach.
Ant management: Some campsites require special preparation for insects. "We made the mistake of not being prepared for the ANTS!!! Campground looked pretty cool, so close to the beach, some trails nearby. Room for kids to ride bikes... but we picked up about a gazillion ants. We learns that comet around all points of contact with the ground keeps them down."
Security awareness: Property theft occurs at some locations. "My husband and I had our mountain bikes stolen when sleeping. When we asked for camera footage the owners of the campground claimed the cameras were broken and they couldn't share the footage. There are many homeless folks living in the area."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. "If you're looking for primitive dispersed camping, this is probably not your spot. If you're camping with kids, it doesn't get much better than this! We stayed at campsite #58 which we felt was very large are private. Clean facilities, flushing toilets and hot showers, well maintained sites."
Beach access considerations: Some beaches require a challenging walk. "The walk up from the beach is a little tough, but the lifeguards are super nice and helpful if you need assistance. I always come home with a nice tan and great calfs. The upside of the walk is that there aren't as many people as down the beach by the public parking."
Wildlife awareness: Coyotes are present at several campgrounds. "Everyone comes here with their dogs and the coyotes are insane. They are everywhere. I wish they could/would do something about it. They are not afraid of humans at all. You'll wake up to them chasing rabbits literally in your campsite. Bit scary since I have a small dog," warns a visitor to Doheny State Beach Campground.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Some campgrounds offer free dump stations. "Very well maintained campgrounds with quality facilities located throughout. $20 a night, they have water spigots shared between campsites (if you bring a "y" you can stay connected, otherwise fill tanks and disconnect). Self pump out (free) and good rubbish collection points throughout."
Site selection for size limitations: RV sites vary significantly in size and access. "The roads that lead to the sites is a bit narrow, so if your towable is on the long side, you might have to work a bit to back it in. The maximum length is 38. We had 30/50 amp electrical and water. Dump station is on your way out, with 3 stations in that row."
Arrival timing enforcement: Strict check-in times are common. "Check in is at 3pm. They are hard on this. If you arrive early, you can register, but will be directed to Reef Point back down PCH or to the visitors center in front of the camp entrance."
