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Coastal campgrounds near Laguna Beach, California include several state park options with ocean views and varied camping experiences. Crystal Cove State Park's Moro Campground provides both tent and RV sites with most offering panoramic Pacific Ocean vistas. Doheny State Beach Campground and San Clemente State Beach provide additional options within a short drive, allowing campers to access Southern California beaches while staying overnight. The region includes a mix of campgrounds with traditional tent sites, RV hookups, and even beach cottages and glamping accommodations at locations like Newport Dunes RV Resort.
Most coastal campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during summer months when beach camping is in highest demand. Crystal Cove State Park provides electrical hookups and water at many sites, though campfires are generally prohibited unless using propane fire pits. Campgrounds like O'Neill Regional Park and Caspers Wilderness Park offer more inland alternatives with hiking trails and additional amenities. Access to beaches often involves steep trails or tunnels under Pacific Coast Highway. Cell service is generally excellent throughout the area, but traffic noise can be a factor at sites closest to major roads. A camper wrote: "We stayed in a site with electricity and water. No sewer hook-up but there is a dump station in the campground. Great amenities including flush toilets and token operated showers. Each site has an ocean view."
Campers consistently rate the ocean views and proximity to beaches as highlights of the Laguna Beach area camping experience. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with showers and restrooms, though some visitors note the challenge of nearby highway noise. Tent sites at Crystal Cove State Park cannot use stakes, requiring campers to bring weights for tent corners. The combination of beach access and hiking trails appeals to many visitors seeking varied outdoor activities. Despite being in one of California's most developed coastal areas, several campgrounds manage to provide a sense of escape. A review mentioned that "it's pretty crazy to be camping among the million dollar homes but thankful we can. It's a beautifully maintained spot on the cliff overlooking the ocean," highlighting the unique experience of camping in this affluent coastal region.
"Bathrooms are cleaned the whole day through, the hiking trails were closed when I was there. But the birds are flying around you and the squirrels are free to welcome you when you get there."
"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."
from $25 - $75 / 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"San Mateo is one of the better beach campgrounds in California, some sites have some great privacy."
"Another beautiful gem along the California Coast. Although not on or too near the beach, this campground is truly a lovely spot. All or most of the campsites boast a bit of privacy."
from $45 - $250 / night
Check Availability"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"California beach camping can be very hard to come by. Unlike some other campgrounds in Southern California this one gives you ample room to move around and set up camp."
"If you’re looking for classic Southern California beach camping with stunning ocean views, this spot is such a good choice."
from $45 - $300 / night
Check Availability"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"Tucked on the outskirts of Mission Viejo is an oasis of green grass and groves of the twisting and searching limbs of Coastal Live Oak trees. "
"Rangers at entrance to check for pets (not allowed) and where you can buy bundles of wood for $5 if you want. Technically not allowed to bring in outside wood."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"The campground is on the bluffs, and nearby Old Man's beach has some of the best beginner's surfing waves in Southern California."
"This military campground is located within walking distance of two world class surfing breaks; Old Man's and Tressels. This campground has a variety of camp spots from tent, RV to cabins."
from $45 / 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."
"Camping cliff side along the beach in Southern California. The camp grounds are a little cramped. Seem more designed for RV’s and trailers but we don’t mind."
"During the open season on weekends it fills up quickly, during the weekdays it is kind of busy as well but there are still some walk up spaces available."
from $45 - $250 / night
Check Availability
TravelerThis is a great campground if you were at the beach all day and then wanted to drive 10 min to your campsite. That’s how I use this campground. I go for the day at San Clemente pier and then later on drive 10 min to my campsite. It’s perfect. There is a trail to the ocean from the campground but I ain’t walking that. Site has power and water spigot, next to trashcan. Shade in the afternoon.
TravelerGreat site, stayed at 101. Bathrooms weren’t too far away. Good privacy. Water spigot nearby. Can fit a small and medium tent. I van camped.
ScoutAs a heads up, they accept only factory van conversions with black and gray water tanks. So no self conversions. As a facility, it seems very nice, my RVing friend has been coming in here for years and absolutely loves it
TravelerDespite the fact that one night costs $42, there are a lot of stupid, miserable people here who listen loudly to stupid music through their stupid speakers after 10pm. It's also full of cockroaches here and it's annoying.
GuideThis RV park is quite lovely! I called to make my reservation with Dawn, because the campground map didn’t show facility locations for the washroom, pool, office/store or shade. My site (B-17) had electric and water only with a huge oak tree providing lots of shade. The gravel RV spots are nearly level, picnic tables and fire pits. This is a well maintained park with a laundry, small “zoo”, fishing pond and a sparkling swimming pool. I highly recommend this RV park, and I will plan to stay here again.
GuideWe had spot 11 which was great (view! Low and thus close to the beach! although it only just fit our small 4P Kelty Late start on the level spot, there was a lot of room.
Toilets are Dixie's which aren't always clean and have banging doors, avoid the campsites close to them. I would also avoid the higher campsites including the rentals, as the hike to the beach becomes annoying.
Did a great hike to Cat Harbor overlook. Tough climb but beautiful.
The walk from ferry to campsite is short (less that 10 minutes) especially for this site (which is closest) but contains a steep hill and rough gravel. There is firewood service (15$) and luggage (10$/item) but we didn't need it. Shop normally has delivery service with temp cooler but was unavailable. Well stocked but expensive.
GuideTwo 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
TravelerGreat camp spots, clean campground with good ammenities.
ScoutPlenty 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.
Camping spots near Laguna Beach, California sit within a Mediterranean climate zone receiving less than 13 inches of annual rainfall, mostly between November and March. The coastal sage scrub ecosystem surrounding these campgrounds creates distinct vegetation patterns visible from many sites, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. The marine layer often rolls in during mornings before burning off by midday.
Mountain biking through adjacent wilderness parks: Access extensive trail networks from O'Neill Regional Park, which connects to larger wilderness areas. "The campground is located next to Oneil Park, which is huge and great for bike and running. There are many hiking trails nearby in all directions. I usually ride to Caspers from the campsite or Trabruco creak up to Holy Jim," notes Mike G.
Explore tidepools at low tide: The rocky shoreline near San Clemente State Beach Campground offers exceptional marine life viewing opportunities. "Lots of fun things along the beach to look at like tide pools and rock formations," according to visitors. Plan visits during morning low tides for best viewing conditions.
Visit historic beach cottages: Walk through preserved 1920s-40s structures at Crystal Cove State Park. "We popped in and luckily was able to get the best view in house, please check them out and support the cottages!" writes Kenny T. The cottages showcase early California coastal architecture and can be toured without overnight stays.
Terraced campsites with ocean views: Moro Campground at Crystal Cove State Park features elevated sites ensuring visibility. "The sites are terraced, so no matter which site you get you'll have a view of the ocean," explains Elly A. Sites in upper rows still maintain ocean visibility despite being further from the shore.
Wildlife encounters: Morning and evening animal sightings enhance camping experiences. A visitor to Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park mentions "Plenty of squirrels, bunnies, the occasional deer and coyotes at night, signs warning you are now in mountain lion territory." The park's inland location increases wildlife viewing opportunities.
Quick escape from urban environments: Despite proximity to development, campgrounds provide natural settings. "ONeil 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," reports Berton M. Most campgrounds are within 30 minutes of urban amenities yet maintain natural surroundings.
Reservation requirements and timing: High demand necessitates advance planning. "This campground fills up fast so book early!" warns one camper at Crystal Cove. Sites at popular locations can book 6 months in advance, particularly for summer weekends and holidays.
Noise considerations: Highway and urban sounds affect some campgrounds more than others. At Doheny State Beach Campground, "After traffic noise dies down and in between the trains that rumble by, you can almost hear the ocean at the sites that back to the street," notes Lee D. Consider site location relative to roads and railways.
Fire restrictions vary by location: Rules range from complete prohibition to propane-only. "No coal or wood fires :( Kind of a bummer since your evening ends early. You can bring propane pits yourself for fires though," a Crystal Cove visitor explains. Always verify current fire regulations before arrival.
Wildlife precautions: Several campgrounds report active wildlife. "We had to be careful if you plan to climb down into it," warns Kim L. at Caspers Wilderness Park, while another camper notes: "Be careful of rattlesnakes" at multiple locations.
Playground access and kid-friendly trails: San Mateo Campground at San Onofre State Beach offers facilities specifically designed for children. "Lots of kids riding bikes and having fun! I suggest to follow their lead. Bring a bike to explore the loops and trail to beach," recommends Jeannie B. The 1.5-mile beach trail provides a manageable hike for most children.
Beach activity options: Various water features keep children engaged at different locations. At Newport Dunes RV Resort, they have "activities for the kids like arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course or you can rent paddle boards or watch a movie on the beach," reports Karissa J. Check activity schedules when booking.
Consider inland options during peak summer heat: Coastal fog can make mornings chilly while inland areas warm faster. "It can be really hot in late summer early fall," notes Kelly E. about Caspers Wilderness Park. Morning activities at inland sites and afternoon beach time creates optimal temperature conditions.
Story trails for young hikers: Educational paths engage children during walks. "Great 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," mentions Johnny G. at O'Neill Regional Park.
Site dimensions and backing challenges: Many coastal campgrounds have tight access roads. "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," warns Patrick J. at Crystal Cove State Park. Measure your rig and verify campground limits before booking.
Electrical requirements and availability: Power options vary significantly between campgrounds. "We stayed in a site with electricity and water. No sewer hook-up but there is a dump station in the campground," notes a camper at Crystal Cove. Some sites offer 50-amp service while others provide only 30-amp or no hookups at all.
Water fill and dump station logistics: Plan for limited hookups at most state beaches. At Doheny State Beach, "RV tank filling also available at the same location of dump site only a few feet away as you drive out. You can screw in your own hose and your good to go," explains Manuel P. Most dump stations charge additional fees ($10 at Doheny).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds near Laguna Beach, CA?
Several campgrounds are located within a short drive of Laguna Beach. Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park is one of the closest options, offering terraced sites with ocean views in a developed area of Laguna Beach. Just south, Doheny State Beach Campground provides beachfront camping. Other nearby options include O'Neill Regional Park in the nearby canyon, San Clemente State Beach, and San Mateo Campground at San Onofre State Beach. For those willing to drive a bit further, South Carlsbad State Beach offers quintessential Southern California beach camping about 30-45 minutes south of Laguna Beach.
Can you camp directly on Laguna Beach?
There is no camping directly on Laguna Beach itself. The closest beach camping options are nearby at Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground, which offers beachfront RV camping with concrete/asphalt sites adjacent to PCH. Another option is San Clemente State Beach Campground, which provides beach access though the campsites aren't directly on the sand. These locations allow you to enjoy the coastal experience while still being a short drive from Laguna Beach. Both campgrounds typically require reservations well in advance, especially during peak summer months.
Are there RV parks or camping options with RV hookups in Laguna Beach?
While there are no RV parks directly in Laguna Beach, several nearby options offer RV hookups. Newport Dunes RV Resort is one of the closest full-service RV parks, offering water and electric hookups in a waterfront setting. For those willing to drive a bit further, Pechanga RV Resort offers newer facilities with full hookups plus amenities like a pool and proximity to restaurants and a casino. Some state beaches in the area, like Moro Campground at Crystal Cove State Park, offer limited hookups (electricity and water but no sewer, with dump stations available).
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