Best Campgrounds near Costa Mesa, CA

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. You’ll still feel the rumble but maybe you can dream it’s just an earthquake.

State part with a mile walking access to beach. Most spaces are long enough for big rigs but tight because of vegetation. Bath houses are OK but there are a lot of them. Paid showers. Mostly a surfer crowd.

I've camped here a few times over the last few years, and it's not a bad place to stay.  Shade is plentiful, and benches and bear boxes available for each of the 6 sites.  Few bugs around, so no need to hose yourself down with repellent.   

As mentioned by others, there will be a constant stream of hikers walking by, but for the most part they aren't loud or obnoxious.  At night they lock the gates so its really only you, other campers (usually not more than one or two on the weekdays), and the camp host.  Its vault toilets and BYO water, but as long as you're expecting that its all good.

WARNING: Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside.  You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen.  I've had my car broken into once, and have seen broken glass in the parking lot every time I've stayed here.

The campsite has a nice view. From some spots, you can see the lake. The toilets are clean and there is a designated area for setting up tents. The only downside is that the staff starts cutting trees at 8 a.m., making a lot of noise.😥

Stayed for 2 nights and we didn't want to leave. Security was great and super friendly. Roomy camping spots and amazing views.

If you have an RV probably be alright. I have a roof tent and stayed at a primitive campsite. It’s pretty chill. The campgrounds themselves is extremely clean. If you come around March, keep your fire wood dry because mine got wet and couldn’t start a fire. We’re next to Camp Pendleton and I’m pretty sure I could hear gun exercises lol. About 1.5 miles from the highway. Not a deal killer but if you want complete peace and quiet, this isn’t it. The actual campsites looked like they have some nice space to them. Still small overall. The trail to the beach is 1.5 miles. The beach isn’t great unless you’re a surfer. A lot of surfers camping here. It’s a cool spot to get away if you live nearby and wanna camp and grill. If you’re coming from far away, I’d say check out the site on the actual beach. At least you’ll be on the beach.

Ps - if you run into locals on the trails, don’t be nice, because they hate you and hate that you’re there. They’re insufferable. So do you and enjoy yourself and don’t be polite to them. The staff and other campers are awesome though

This state park has 14,000 acres. It feels secluded, but the city is only 20 minutes away. The trails are varied, accessible by horseback, hiking, biking. Some trails are ready walking, some very strenuous. The hills are green in spring. It's a beautiful oasis right near Riverside or Anaheim.

The "Airport Fire" burned through the area and their website says they are temporarily closed.

Clean bathrooms, friendly rangers, nice layout, cute wildlife, close to TCT. Only issue, which is probably just on all of Catalina, is that late hours of the night people are driving up the road in their golf carts which are super loud. So don’t get a site near the road if your an early or light sleeper.

Be mindful of their shower token system. Otherwise, a nice spot. Not too close to the highway. We saw a coyote, so watch your dogs.

I can’t say that it was awesome but it wasn’t jaw dropping. Nothing to write home about but not uninviting.

One of the most beautiful properties I've ever stayed on. Part of the Van Life Campgrounds network of community oriented homebases for vanlifers and nomads on wheels. Met some cool people, worked, hung out with goats, had a few communal dinners. What else could you ask for.