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Best Campgrounds near Costa Mesa, CA

1,033 Reviews

Coastal camping options surround Costa Mesa, California, 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.

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Best Camping Sites Near Costa Mesa, California (151)

    1. Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park

    35 Reviews
    Laguna Beach, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 444-7275

    $25 - $75 / night

    "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."

    2. Newport Dunes RV Resort

    26 Reviews
    Newport Beach, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 765-7661

    $75 - $550 / night

    "As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites."

    "There's a nice bike trail that circles around the bay, which is great for kids. Also, lots of amenities for families, including playgrounds, water toys, movie nights and fire pits."

    3. Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground

    19 Reviews
    Huntington Beach, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 846-3460

    $60 - $70 / night

    "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."

    4. Waterfront RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Huntington Beach, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 536-8316

    "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."

    5. O'Neill Regional Park

    30 Reviews
    Trabuco Canyon, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 923-2260

    $20 / night

    "It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds. 

    Free dump station.  "

    "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..."

    6. Doheny State Beach Campground

    35 Reviews
    Capistrano Beach, CA
    19 miles

    $50 - $350 / night

    "I frequently stay at this site since it's close to my house and on the beach. 

    THE SITES:

    The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."

    "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.  "

    7. Anaheim Harbor RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Anaheim, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 535-6495

    $55 - $70 / night

    "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."

    8. Orangeland RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Anaheim, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 633-0414

    $75 - $90 / night

    "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."

    9. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages — Crystal Cove State Park

    6 Reviews
    Newport Coast, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 376-6200

    "Crystal Cove Beach Cottages……Home away from home❤️"

    "Great views, nice trails & beach walks. Great restaurant."

    10. Seabreeze At Seal Beach

    9 Reviews
    Seal Beach, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (562) 626-7504

    "Awesome park, clean, level paved pads with a parking space..nice amenities, small NEX nearby. Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too"

    "Very clean, cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore. Wetlands on the base and birds galore."

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Recent Camping Photos near Costa Mesa, CA

303 Photos of 151 Costa Mesa Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Costa Mesa, CA

1033 Reviews of 151 Costa Mesa Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Bonelli Bluffs

    Wish we could stay longer this trip

    We chose Bonelli for our shakedown trip in our new trailer (first time RVers). SO quiet. Numerous residents, but spots are mostly keep up nicely. Our rental spot has 3 trees, a picnic table, a firepit, level parking(!) and full hookups. We will be back for sure, especially since it's less than an hour from home.

  • Karen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    San Clemente State Beach Campground

    Ant Infestation !

    If they would simply notify campers upon check in of the SIGNIFICANT SEASONAL ANT INFESTATION, it could have alleviated us waking up with ants crawling on our faces in the morning. They sell diatomaceous earth for $10. And we carry it already, but all we could do was go to WAR with the ants to contain the outbreak in our camper. BTW, we carry NO food inside the camper. Had to go to 2 hardware stores to get supplies and spend significant time eradicating only 95%. SO Disappointed. Our site was near a “coyote corridor”, so maybe why we didn’t have so many squirrels! Ha Ha!

  • Julia G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Hare School Park

    Overnight parking ✅

    You can overnight park here with your RV without problems.

  • Lianne A.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Monte Cristo Campground

    Nice Campground but Fire Restrictions!

    Monte Cristo is a nice campground not far from home. My husband and I visited this campsite for the first time just for one night. There was a fire restriction. No bonfires, no cooking on stoves and there was no water due to a leak. The bathroom that I was using I give it a 2 star.

  • Wayne S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Applewhite Campground (Ca) — San Bernardino National Forest

    Nice little park

    Very small campground. Camping sites are spread out. The access road is very narrow. We did it with a 22 foot fifth wheel. Space 41 could hold a much longer rig but it would be a challenge even getting to that space. There were only two other campers here while we were here. Lots of trees but not so thick you dont get some sun. The road getting to the campgrounds is somewhat narrow and has some hairpin turns so again it might be difficult for someone with a long trailer We camped at Applewhite Campground in a Fifth Wheel.

  • 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.

  • ROCKSTAR C.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hare School Park

    It’s the sports fields parking lot

    I’ve been here for a couple days and nobody’s mess with us. There’s other people that are staying in another parking lot attached that are homeless in their vehicles mostly cars and vans. I’m in a 25 foot Fleetwood RV. There’s a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them.There’s no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please. It’s not tent friendly. I don’t believe.

Guide to Costa Mesa

Camping near Costa Mesa, CA, offers a fantastic mix of beach vibes and nature trails. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options that cater to different camping styles.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, provide direct access to the beach. One camper mentioned, "Great little restaurant serving pizza and snacks overlooking the ocean. Beach access. Lots of sites."
  • Biking and Running: The area has great bike lanes and trails. A reviewer noted, "Great if you want to ride along PCH. This stretch has good bike lanes that take you into Oceanside or Encinitas."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Malibu Creek State Park Campground. One visitor shared, "Nice, small campground with hiking trails easily accessible."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Crowded Conditions: Some campgrounds can get packed, especially on weekends. A review for San Elijo State Beach Campground mentioned, "It can get very crowded and packed."
  • Limited Hookups: Many sites, like those at Doheny State Beach Campground, have limited or no hookups. A camper said, "Right on the ocean. No hookups. Kind of crowded!"
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise from nearby roads or other campers. A visitor at Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground shared, "The campground itself is pretty nice... but there was a large group of people blasting their music until 2/3 AM."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A family at Bonelli Bluffs mentioned, "The campground is set up as a bunch of loops with a large common area between the rear of every campsite."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan hikes to keep kids entertained. One reviewer at San Mateo Campground said, "Good access to walking and biking trails."
  • Check for Amenities: Look for campgrounds with clean bathrooms and showers. A camper at Malibu Creek State Park Campground noted, "This place is a little expensive... but it’s very clean and well maintained."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Costa Mesa, CA, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!

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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