156 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Costa Mesa, California ranges from beachfront campsites to inland tent and RV sites, with multiple state parks and RV resorts within a 30-minute drive. Crystal Cove State Park's Moro Campground offers ocean view sites in Laguna Beach with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground in Huntington Beach provides beachfront camping with electric hookups and fire rings on the beach. Inland options include O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon, where campers find hiking trails and more secluded sites. Newport Dunes RV Resort features 372 sites with full hookups and resort amenities for those seeking comfort near the water. Doheny State Beach Campground in Dana Point offers direct beach access with sites that accommodate both tents and RVs.
Reservations are essential for most coastal campgrounds, particularly during summer months when sites fill months in advance. As one camper noted, "California beach camping can be very hard to come by." Many state park campgrounds use the Reserve California system, which opens booking windows six months ahead. Weather remains mild year-round, though morning fog is common from May through July. Road noise affects several campgrounds, particularly those along Pacific Coast Highway. Bolsa Chica campers report "road noise but steps away from great sand beaches." Fire restrictions vary by location, with some coastal sites prohibiting fires in the campground but offering designated fire rings on the beach. Most campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though sewer connections are less common.
Beach proximity drives high satisfaction ratings, with campers highlighting bike paths and water activities as key amenities. At Doheny State Beach, visitors appreciate that "you can SUP in the harbor; it's a great place for it and just a few minutes drive over." Site spacing varies significantly, with some campers noting that middle sites are "small and tight, offering little privacy." O'Neill Regional Park receives praise as a "tucked away spot in Orange County" that's "great if you like hiking, biking, MTB, and running." Crystal Cove State Park stands out for ocean views from nearly every site. Urban proximity means most campgrounds have good cell service and convenient access to supplies, restaurants, and attractions, making them suitable for both weekend getaways and longer stays.
"Luckily Booked last minute on reserve California (the worst web thing ever) on site 49. Looks like there is a oven view from every site. Close to beach and shopping."
"There is an elementary school adjacent to the campground so you get a few PA announcements to start your day. There is a small visitor's center on site."
"The grounds are impeccably clean, beautifully maintained, and set in a truly stunning location. Everything feels well cared for and thoughtfully run."
"As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites."
from $75 - $550 / night
Check Availability"Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches."
"Super convenient beach front parking with good restrooms and outdoor showers as well as a beach path perfect for walking, biking, rollerblading, etc."
from $60 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Booking a site here at Waterfront, provided us a excellent homebase that was close to the water. In all, you are about a 2 minute walk to the sand, and 4 minutes to the oceanfront. "
"Your not on the beach but literally on the other side of pacific coast highway you are there."
"Behind my Camp site was a few different hiking paths. Restroom buildings have water, toilets, and showers. It says to bring quarters for the showers but they were free. Each site is typical..."
"This is a nice little campground tucked away amidst the hustle and bustle of South Orange County."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This campground is at the edge of the Dana Point Harbor. The sites are small, but many of them are right on the beach. All sites have easy access to the beach. "
"Sites are close to other sites but are pretty large for what you get. All site locations are in walking distance to the beach which is so great."
from $50 - $350 / night
Check Availability"Nice bathrooms and hot showers with laundry on location. Good amount of space between sites. Very short drive or 20ish minute walk to Disneyland. Extremely helpful and kind staff."
"Park is within walking to the Disneyland park. The tent sites are very small with a picnic table and AstroTurf."
from $70 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Anaheim transit makes on-demand stops her to Disneyland as well as Garden Walk. Very helpful, friendly staff. Many residents mixed with overnight era or vacationers. "
"First time staying here, it will be our place to stay in California."
from $75 - $90 / night
Check Availability"its close, so no 2 hour drive needed and its usually got open spots available, even in spring and summer (cause of the 3+ mile hike most likely). wouldn't say it has the best views but good when you just"
"Both Morro locations. Lower is a 3 mile hike with a few steep grades. 13 sites an outhouse and a decent view. This one is normally supporting several groups on weekends. There is no water."
"Crystal Cove Beach Cottages……Home away from home❤️"
"Great views, nice trails & beach walks. Great restaurant."
TravelerBe sure to come early. Great location for families and small groups. Peaceful close to a city within 40min small town with church ect 15 minutes away.
LegendGeneral: Two sections: RV camping and dry camping
Site Quality: If you have a larger RV and/or need hookups, you will be in a parking space with ZERO privacy between spaces (it is literally a parking space!). If you have a small RV or van conversion (smaller than 19 feet), there is dry camping. Concrete driveway; minimal privacy but a direct view of the beach. You must have a bed, dinette, sink, and small water supply to be in these spots. A concrete picnic table is included in each site.
Bath/Shower: Six-digit codes (that change regularly) needed to enter (and a different one for each bathroom). One all-in-one with a sink, toilet, urinal, and diaper changing station. The other has two shower stalls, two toilets, and one sink. The shower in the one closest to the dry camping area left much to be desired. I couldn’t get the ADA-accessible shower to work, and the other one had a push-button flow that took some time to get warm and had to be repeatedly pushed to complete the shower. Hooks and bench are outside the shower stall, compromising privacy. My biggest disappointment, however, was that there were NO electrical outlets. I took a chance and walked to the other end of the campground (by the entrance and full hookup sites) where I discovered the bathroom was much nicer. Not only did it have electrical outlets, but it looked like the showers were much nicer.
Activities/Amenities: You are right on the beach! There is a paved path for walking, running, or bicycling. Laundry was temporarily out of order when we were there.
There are very limited options for camping in this area, and the price was $55/night for dry camping. You are in the direct flight path of LAX, so have earplugs at the ready if the sound of jet planes overhead is not your thing!
ScoutMy golden shore experience was nothing short of amazing the camping ground was clean. The poop ,electricity and water where working just fine there was enough space for our 40 ft RV. The palm trees added a beach atmosphere. The greatest part was the pool and the jacuzzi they where the cherry on top the pool was clean and the jacuzzi where just right! I absolutely loved it 5 stars.
GuideSeafront spots are beautiful, we were fully in the back which was a bit boring. Large empty grassy/sandy areas with no trees or play structures for kids. Far from the a bit dirty toilets. Campground is big and sites are spaced quite well. Nice to be close to the sea but go for a spot closer to the sea
TravelerI stayed at Little Pines. This spot has some beautiful sites. Some are semi-secluded with stunning views. Some have a lot of shade, some have little. Silver Moccasin Trail is on-site and a great hike. Notorious for bears but I didn’t see any.
I camped with a bear canister and bear country precaution anyway. A few sets of vault toilets and dumpsters so no site is too far from one. But no sinks. There is running water here but it’s non-potable.
It’s a beautiful spot but I had a group of about 10-15 people in diesel trucks roll in at 10pm on a Friday and blare Banda music for 3 days. From about 8am-10:30pm-ish. Unrelenting. Even with earplugs I could feel the bass of the tubas. Ruined the entire trip. So be aware that like any campground, loud jerks can spoil it for everyone.
I noticed a lot of people coming in until about 10pm on Friday and there were still spots. This wasn’t a holiday weekend but it was a pretty weekend in June. I got there at 6pm and got a great spot.
The Manzanita area is very pretty but sites are smaller and it’s more of an Oak Woodland with Manzanita and lots of boulders. Far fewer pines and cedars so not a lot of shade. In the fall this might be a nice option but in summer it may be a little hot.
Little Pines is pretty accessible for wheelchairs. The road has some pot holes but it’s paved and the grade isn’t terrible. Several spots would be very accessible to anyone with mobility devices or wheelchairs as you can park and get right to the campsite beside the car, on level ground. Restrooms are ADA-accessible.
WARNING: Watch out for the purple plant everywhere! Behaves like poison oak. Keep pets (and yourself) away. Included pics.
ScoutFirst stayed around 25-30. Maybe flies season? Crazy amount of bugs. Moved to down the hill much better. Clean bathroom. Quiet at night.
ScoutCalled them around 5 times over several times on different days. They only allow a minimum of 2 nights stay. They had no spaces available 2 nights in a row. But there were multiple spots avaible on our nights. So i told them i didnt mind moving the RV, but they didnt want to cooperate on that and rather leave the spots open.
TravelerI never had the chance to stay at this site. We’re so disappointed as it seems amazing. My reservation request expired and I never heard from them.
The reviews in Hipcamp are all so positive but none are newer than Aug 2025. So I wonder if they’re just not booking anymore. Seems strange based on the effusive praise of the host. Hope they’re ok.
Wanted to leave this review so others are aware that they should have a plan B if they attempt to book this site.
RangerWhen you book a beachfront site in the flight path of LAX, you know there’s some things, and they do indeed have those things, but on the beach and close to the action. Great trail system, easier access in and out than I’d hoped, price less insane than I feared. Loud, crowded, and urban.
Crystal Cove State Park offers tiered campsites with ocean views regardless of site location, ensuring all campers enjoy Pacific vistas during their stay. Most campgrounds near Costa Mesa have morning marine layer fog from May through July, though this typically burns off by midday to reveal sunny conditions. Coastal camping options range from primitive beach sites to full-hookup RV resorts within a 30-minute drive radius.
Kayaking near PCH: At Waterfront RV Park in Huntington Beach, you're steps from prime paddling spots. "I love this place to kayak," notes one regular visitor. The park places you about "2 minutes to the sand, and 4 minutes to the oceanfront," making water sports easily accessible.
Beach hiking and biking: The boardwalk at Bolsa Chica State Beach extends for miles in both directions, offering extensive coastal trails. As one visitor explains, "The boardwalk was endless and great to walk the dog and go for a run!" Multiple beachside campgrounds connect to this coastal trail system.
Mountain biking and hiking trails: O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon provides extensive trail networks within 30 minutes of Costa Mesa. A regular camper describes it as "great if you like hiking, biking, MTB, and running," noting that despite its proximity to urban areas, the park feels secluded once you're on the trails.
Ocean-view camping with privacy: At Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park, sites are arranged in tiers so everyone gets sea views. "The campsites are roped off and have a decent amount of distance between them," notes a visitor who stayed in February. "There is some vegetation between them but not enough to be totally private."
Clean, regularly maintained facilities: Campers frequently mention the cleanliness of bathroom facilities at campgrounds near Costa Mesa. At Crystal Cove, visitors report "spotless" bathrooms that are "being cleaned frequently," with coin-operated showers that "didn't take many coins to get a decent warm shower."
Convenient urban proximity: Orangeland RV Park offers "centrally located" access to Orange County attractions. One camper notes it's "best for easy access coming from or leaving to the east of the Los Angeles area." The park provides shuttle service to Disneyland and is within walking distance to shopping and restaurants.
Site spacing varies significantly: At Newport Dunes RV Resort, campers report varied experiences with site spacing. "I hope you like cozy," notes one visitor, while others mention "tight spaces" where you need to be "good at backing up your toys." Reserve a premium spot if you need more room.
Reservation competition is fierce: California beach campgrounds fill quickly, with some booking windows opening six months in advance. A camper at Doheny State Beach advises, "The sunsets were absolutely beautiful...book early!" During peak summer season, reservations may disappear within minutes when booking windows open.
Road noise affects sleep quality: Several coastal campgrounds sit near Pacific Coast Highway. A recent visitor to Bolsa Chica noted, "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? Bring earplugs and lots of white noise."
Look for dedicated kid activities: Doheny State Beach Campground offers direct beach access plus protected areas for younger children. "You can SUP in the harbor; it's a great place for it and just a few minutes drive over," mentions one camper about the safe paddling areas beyond the surf zone.
Consider weekday visits for less crowds: School breaks and summer weekends fill quickly at coastal campgrounds. Mid-week camping provides more space and quieter conditions, particularly during spring and fall seasons when temperatures remain mild but crowds thin out.
Hard ground requires freestanding tents: The terrain at Crystal Cove's backcountry sites presents challenges for tent stakes. One hiker noted, "The ground is hard packed and rocky. Free/semi-free standing tents recommended." Bring suitable tent options or additional securing methods for coastal bluff camping.
Reserve premium sites for larger rigs: At Newport Dunes, experienced RVers recommend specific site ranges. "Sites 84-89 and 26-36 are HUGE," according to one camper with a 29-foot Class A. Standard sites may present challenges for larger rigs or those with multiple slide-outs.
Beach proximity comes with limitations: Anaheim Harbor RV Park offers proximity to attractions but limited space. "This is essentially a parking lot with power and water," notes one RVer. "The spaces aren't huge so if you have a big rig or large trailer it will be tight. Most trailers parked their tow vehicle perpendicular to the space."
Bring long sewer hoses: Some hookup-equipped campgrounds require extended connections. Multiple RVers mention needing 25-foot sewer hoses at certain parks. Check the hookup positioning before arrival and bring extension cords and water hoses for challenging site layouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fishing opportunities are available at Costa Mesa campgrounds?
While Costa Mesa itself has limited fishing campgrounds, nearby options offer excellent angling experiences. O'Neill Regional Park is tucked in a canyon not far from Costa Mesa with access to Trabuco Creek for freshwater fishing. For saltwater fishing, Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground is a short drive away, offering surf fishing opportunities and proximity to Huntington Harbour. Many campers combine their Costa Mesa visits with fishing trips to these nearby destinations. Before fishing, be sure to obtain a California fishing license and check local regulations for catch limits and seasonal restrictions.
Can you go beach camping near Costa Mesa?
Yes, several excellent beach camping options exist near Costa Mesa. Doheny State Beach Campground offers beachfront camping with sites directly on the sand, though middle sites tend to be small and tight while outside edge sites offer more space. San Clemente State Beach Campground provides ample room to set up camp with ocean views from most sites. Both locations are within 30-45 minutes of Costa Mesa. For those seeking beach proximity without directly camping on sand, San Mateo Campground offers sites with great privacy and is just a short walk to the beach. Reservations are essential, especially during summer months.
Where are the best camping locations in Costa Mesa?
While Costa Mesa itself has limited dedicated campgrounds, several excellent options surround the city. Newport Dunes RV Resort offers premium waterfront camping just minutes from Costa Mesa with full hookups and resort amenities. For a more natural setting, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park provides a peaceful oak-filled oasis with spacious sites about 30 minutes from Costa Mesa. For those willing to venture slightly further, Pechanga RV Resort offers upscale facilities with access to restaurants, golf, and other amenities. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons.
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