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ScoutKQ Ranch Resort
Great staff lots of things to do
Glamping near Encinitas, CA
4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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San Elijo State Beach Campground and Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offer some of the top-rated glamping campgrounds along the Southern California coast. San Elijo provides oceanfront glamping with canvas accommodations perched on bluffs overlooking the Pacific, while Santee Lakes houses luxury canvas tent options amid 300 lakeside sites. Both locations provide essential comforts including electricity, comfortable bedding, and picnic tables, with many sites featuring water and sewer hookups. Proximity to beach access makes San Elijo particularly appealing for those seeking ocean views and surf opportunities, while the well-maintained grounds at both locations ensure a comfortable outdoor experience. A recent visitor mentioned, "Amazing sunsets and very popular with the surfers. Try to get an ocean view site further from Highway 101 so you don't hear the traffic as much."
Lake Jennings and Oceanside RV Resort complement the glamping options with yurt accommodations that combine tent-style architecture with modern amenities. These glamping sites maintain clean shower facilities, restrooms, and trash disposal while offering fire pits for evening relaxation. Across these glamping destinations, access to local attractions remains convenient, with restaurants, coffee shops, and markets within walking distance or short drives. According to one camper, "The view overlooking the water is nice! The campground is walkable to a decent grocery store as well as cafes across the street if you don't want to cook over the campfire." Reservations typically need to be made well in advance, particularly during summer months when oceanfront glamping sites fill quickly, with prices ranging from $50-$75 per night depending on hookups and location.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Encinitas (47)
1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground
"South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean."
"The breeze kept the bugs and beach heat at bay. Bathrooms were fairly clean and non-pottable water spickets also available for rinsing after the beach visit."
16 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $50 - $650 / night
2. San Elijo State Beach Campground
"If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."
"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."
6 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $50 - $520 / night
3. Dixon Lake Campground
"Make sure you bring a shower caddy and some water proof laundry bags because there aren't many wall hooks to hang your towels or clothes.
- **Flushable toilets with drum roll SEAT COVERS!!"
"They clean the fire pits out etc. Some of the 40 series sites are very secluded and have excellent lake views."
Check Availabilityfrom $39 - $50 / night
4. Dos Picos County Park
"Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well."
"The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity. Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."
Check Availabilityfrom $24 - $100 / night
5. Oceanside RV Resort
"There are 5 spots where you can walk your stuff and camp right on the beach. Each spot was secluded and had a picnic table and a good size area for your tent."
"There are little short wooden fence bits that separate us and there are amenities. There are full hookups. There are pull-through spots. There's laundry. There's a swimming pool and a hot tub."
6. Lake Jennings
"Lake Jennings Campground is a great campsite tucked away in Lakeside, CA. There are a good amount of campsites, and plenty with great views of the lake (“Preferred View” sites)."
"We took our 28-foot travel trailer and two young kids (ages 5 & 8) for a long weekend at Lake Jennings Campground in Lakeside, CA — and it was a fantastic quick escape."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $140 / night
7. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
"Pool, showers, laundry on site. Water , sewer and electrical on site."
"Set up our 16’ travel trailer at a lakeshore full hookup site #27 (no fire pit though). Kids loved the convenient fishing right behind our trailer and the swimming pools a short drive away."
8. Woods Valley Kampground
"The kids all love fishing at the pond on site. Plenty of space between campgrounds. No issues with hook-ups or amenities. Pool was still closed due to COVID restrictions but looked clean."
"My family owns a 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia since 2020 and use The Dyrt to find hidden gems near our home for weekend camping."
9. San Diego Metro KOA
"Heated pool, jacuzzi, bike rentals, and more. They loan you fire pits if you don’t have one. And deliver wood to your site. There is even a cafe if you don’t feel like firing up the grill."
"Neighbors' campfires are 10 ft away from your trailer and makes your camper smell like smoke the whole next day when they start a campfire."
10. Lilac Oaks Campground
"Bathrooms a pool and a game room. Plus there are many trails to walk. Light fishing and a mini mart as well. It is fun"
"We stayed here next to the lake for a few days and just loved it."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $50 / night
Drive Time
- 28 min from San Diego, CA
- 1 hr 28 min from Los Angeles, CA
- 1 hr 46 min from El Centro, CA
- 2 hrs 24 min from Oxnard, CA
Recent Glamping Photos near Encinitas, CA
25 Photos of 47 Encinitas Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Encinitas, CA
678 Reviews of 47 Encinitas Campgrounds
- LLaney S.
GuideSan Elijo State Beach Campground
My All Time Favoritee
I grew up camping here. It’s such a fun and surfy vibe, with great food in walking distance and the best beaches at your disposal. Last time I went the camp store and banging taco stand was closed but I haven’t been back in a while. South end is my fav.
- EEmma B.Guide
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
Great place to stay!
I really enjoyed my time at Santee.
Was here for four nights in site 52 which was great for Starlink and had a nice view.
Clean campsite/recreation center and the staff was super nice.
Went on walks and used the pool/hot tub as well.
Noise was not an issue for me at all, it was very quiet when I stayed with a lot of open sites. It was also cooler with a nice breeze at night which was lovely.
FiftysevenNine T.GuideSan Diego Metro KOA
August bargain
I got in on an August bargain using the KOA app. Consequently, I stayed a month because it was the cheapest place on-the-coast.
Weekdays empty, weekends full, noisy everyday. Good location for long bicycle rides, e.g. Coronado, SD, Zoo, La Jolla, TJ. Chula Vista downtown is modern, not gritty like Petco Park.
Get the bargain if you can. Otherwise, the coast is expensive.
Hans V.
RangerSouth Carlsbad State Beach Campground
Beautiful cliffs, noisy road
Two long rows of spots, one beautiful ocean facing on top of the cliffs, the other with the back to the quite noisy road. We were exactly in the middle of the stairs to the beach so quite a walk for a swim. We had a large sandy spot. Pretty good and cleaner toilets than most other state parks we visited
- GGEORGEScout
Bluffs Campground — San Onofre State Beach
Beach an bike fun
Plenty of room at the beach an lots of bike riding areas.cold showers are free an nice in the summer,however there are no shower curtains ,be advised this might not be for you or shower after dark,is an option .fyi .nice entry staff,restrooms cleaned daily.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Rancho Corrido RV Resort
Off the beaten path older park
Mostly Park Model mobile homes and permanent RV's. There's 20 spots in the back for overnight stays. There is a pool but I didn't use it.
- EEllanora L.
TravelerOceanside RV Resort
Fine but LOUD train!
The Oceanside RV Park Resort is an RV park. We're close together. There are little short wooden fence bits that separate us and there are amenities. There are full hookups. There are pull-through spots. There's laundry. There's a swimming pool and a hot tub. All the things. However, the train that runs every. single. hour. is quite loud. It is but feet from the outer edges and the horn that they blow is jarring. I have had now several times, during my week stay here, that it has awoken me from being asleep. Besides that, great little spot. The people that work here. Great people that darn train though...
- RRose C.Scout
Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes RV Resort
T T. Gem
This campground has good amenities, more than most and quite close to shopping and dining. They offer full rv hookups and both 30 and 50 amp sites.
Guide to Encinitas
Camping areas near Encinitas, California feature coastal bluffs and inland valleys with year-round average temperatures of 60-75°F. Most campgrounds in this region stay open all year due to the mild Southern California climate, with October through April offering less crowded conditions and cooler temperatures for tent campers. The inland campgrounds provide shelter from coastal fog that can roll in during summer mornings.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Jennings offers stocked fishing without requiring a California fishing license—just a $7 per adult lake permit. "Big fish in this lake. Warning: Beware the Poison Oak. If you're hitting the trails or fishing the bank, there's a lot of it," notes Dad & B R.
Water recreation: Paddle boats and fishing ponds provide family-friendly activities at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. "There's lots for kids to do here! Feed the ducks, fish, ride the pedal boats. It's an awesome place for a day outside!" shares Taylor.
Hiking access: Camping near Escondido puts you minutes from notable trails. "Dixon lake is a perfect spot for my nephews to fish and play in the dirt. The walks around the lake are definitely worth doing!" reports Taylor about Dixon Lake Campground.
What campers like
Tree coverage: Unlike oceanfront sites, inland options provide natural shade. "I love love love this campsite. It's so beautiful to be covered completely by the trees! It makes me feel like I'm in an actual Forrest and not the middle of San Diego," writes Taylor about Woods Valley Kampground.
Accessible luxury glamping: For families seeking glamping in Encinitas, California, tent sites with electrical hookups simplify the experience. "This location has the most amenities we've encountered at a campsite. It even has electric tent hookups for the technology inclined!" notes Sarah B. about San Diego Metro KOA.
Variety of accommodation types: South Carlsbad State Beach Campground offers multiple price points and site types. "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," explains Tom H.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most coastal sites require planning 6+ months ahead. "The worst part is trying to get a spot secured," mentions Jonathan G. about San Elijo State Beach Campground.
Noise considerations: Multiple campgrounds near Encinitas have noise from highways, trains, or aircraft. "Campground is situated next to the highway and train tracks. No shade. Friendly beach crowd," warns Tim J. about San Elijo.
Security concerns: Theft can occur even with precautions. "High theft area!!! Even if you lock your generators up, securing with cable and locks and securing in the back of a covered pickup there are thieves cutting through truck covers, cutting locks and stealing generators…. Be WARNED!!!" cautions Mark M. about South Carlsbad.
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools, making glamping near Encinitas with kids more comfortable. "The new pool is great," mentions Rob L. about San Diego Metro KOA.
Playgrounds and recreation: "Very nice campground with a small pond and large playground for the park," notes Ryan T. about Dos Picos County Park.
Clean facilities: Many family campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. "Super clean showers that are FREE! Leave your quarters at home! The water pressure is fantastic and it takes no time for the water to get HOT," reports Chanel C. about Dixon Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Know where and when you can empty tanks. "You have to drive to the RV dump to dump. It's close but you don't have the convenience to dump at your site," explains Linda R. about Dos Picos County Park.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on noise and view preferences. "Street is loud in the mornings - don't recommend the east side," advises Andrew P. about South Carlsbad, while another camper notes, "The far south end of the camp has the most shade/privacy brush, and only has sites on the ocean side so you'll have far more privacy."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment. "Some sites need much leveling. I know which site to reserve next time!!" shares Jessica M. about Lake Jennings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Encinitas, CA?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Encinitas, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Encinitas, CA is South Carlsbad State Beach Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 80 reviews.
What is the best site to find
glamping camping near
Encinitas, CA?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Encinitas, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 glamping camping locations near Encinitas, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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