Best Cabin Camping near Laguna Beach, CA

This place was hopping and popping on the weekend. Fishing, loud music and tons of weekend campers and kids. Big resort, open pool and hot tub was nice given limitations.

This campground is so picturesque! It has a camp store, cabin rentals, and camping spots 10 feet from the sand. There are tent only, partial hookup, and full hookup sites available. Other amenities include playground, bathrooms and showers, a baseball field, and even a large gathering hall! The only downside to this location is that it is for military only, but this keeps the crowds down. The ocean wildlife is so cool, and at low tide you can see octopus, starfish, and all kinds of small fish/crabs. The views are spectacular!

We ended up here after a futile search for an affordable hotel in the area. Even though it was not inexpensive, we secured a beachfront site. The sites are in three sections: standard, deluxe, and premium. There are also cabins and a group tent area (on the public beach). 

The reservation process was not easy – you cannot make same-day online reservations and have to navigate a detailed menu on the phone to finally get to the reservation desk.

We arrived after dark, just as the office was closing but were able to get our information packet. Payment is in full when you make the reservation. As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites. The beachfront and preferred sites have a concrete and sand pad while some less expensive sites have just sand. 

There are codes to enter the restrooms, the bike path, and the pool. The restrooms were clean as were the showers, with good hot water and decent water pressure. 

In season, there are many activities and amenities offered including a water park, water sports rentals, a bistro, a snack bar, movies on the beach, and a swimming beach. About the only amenities available in November were the pool, two hot tubs (although one was not working when we were there), and the .75-mile concrete path around the lake. A gentle water aerobics class is offered three times a week. There is also a marina, but we don’t have a boat so we did not explore this. In season, you can rent pavilions, and pool or beach cabanas, all for an additional cost. 

Although this is a fully contained resort, it is not quiet. You will hear road noise and at certain times of the day, near constant noise from planes at nearby John Wayne airport. 

This was an affordable respite for us on a long road trip, but it is VERY expensive in season (about three times the price of “winter” rates). Also, it would be an entirely different experience when fully booked!

I went here as a first stop, the people are lovely and nice, the views are stunning and there is right enough space between the slots so you don’t feel like you’re in each other’s privacy.

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.

Campgrounds are close to Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel, it’s about a 30-45 minute drive.

It can be that you could hear cars driving through because its close to a frwy. You’ll get used to it, or bring earplugs.

I RECOMMEND THIS PLACE! Try it out for yourself!

My family camps here often, it’s one of the closest beach campgrounds to us and the views are amazing. The sites are terraced, so no matter which site you get you’ll have a view of the ocean. It is in a developed area of Laguna Beach, so there is not much solitude or quiet enjoyment of nature. However, it’s super convenient to have stores like Trader Joe’s and restaurants just a few minutes away. There is beach access from the campground and several hiking trails in the park. There are no shade structures or large trees, so definitely bring a canopy in the summer. The bathrooms are pretty clean, some of the showers run pretty hot but I didn’t mind it. This campground fills up fast so book early! I really like how clearly the sites are marked and how often the park rangers patrol. Highly recommend this campground!

We camped here a week before Christmas. We have a 24 ft travel trailer. 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. A bit of road noise from PCH but million dollar houses also have such problems! 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. Hiking and mountain bike riding are in the canyon adjacent to the campground. You can access the beach by walking down the hill and using the tunnel under PCH. From there, you can walk to Crystal Cove Historic Site and the Beachcomber restaurant. You can also walk to a nice chopping center with restaurants and a Trader Joe's (we forgot toothpaste). Your campsite parking pass is good at any of the parking areas in Crystal Cove State Park so you don't have to walk if mobility is an issue.The beach is clean and great for beachcombing - just can't collect anything. Lots of marine and land wildlife in the area.

Close to Laguna Beach so you can go into this nice artsy community.

A couple of other reviewers mentioned a few things that seem a bit inaccurate. Alcohol is limited to the campsites but you can drink in your campsite. You just can't take it to the beach or to the bluff overlook. It is easy to get in and out - unless you are in one of the backcountry sites. Pelican Hill Resort and golf club are nearby (not Trump National which is in Palos Verdes).

We enjoyed the pool, watching the ducks in the pond, and the kids loved the basketball court. Some parts closed on certain days- store, jacuzzi, community room. Big spots with room to set up, but this place is booked and it’s mid week late September. Definitely my favorite Thousand Trails so far… lots of long timers/ leased sites on the other side of the park. Friendly staff and overall friendly neighbors too!

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. You have to make reservation thru the military systems to camp here. There's a baseball diamond. The bathrooms are clean. Try to grab the RV spots on the north side of the campground. 

Cell Service: Excellent

This is very close to home but a nice quick getaway. It is surprisingly close to everything but yet you feel like you are hours away. There are trails, trees, a little lake. For how close it is, it does always have quite a few campers. Not my go to place but a nice spur of the moment getaway.

I had a reservation at Wilderness Lakes, and I was a day early, so they let me in! Off to a good start! Full hook-ups, laundry and showers about 50 yards away, no matter which way you go. Laundry is done with an app, and pretty cheap, $1.75 wash, $1.75 dry. Nice canals running through the park, with ducks and their ducklings trailing behind. I chose to stay at the far end, away from the crowds. I got a great site, with no one on either side, and 2 neighbors across the street. While I was setting up, one of my awning screen poles broke. I called ShadePro, and they were out the next morning with a new one. Management seems very friendly, there’s a store at the front of the park, and a nice one mile hike around the perimeter of the park. Unseasonably warm the past couple days, so used my AC for a couple hours in the afternoon, to cool Riley and I down. The internet pretty much sucks. Good for email, and very little surfing, but way too slow to stream Netflix, etc. I just put on some music and relax, or throw in a DVD at night. Plenty of trash receptacles, playground for kids, mini golf, and much more. They even have cabins to rent. Will definitely come back!

This is a great little campground if you want a quick getaway. We camped here when we were training for our first backpacking trip to test out all of our gear. Because it's not easy to get to, don't camp here if you expect to come and go.

They ask for reg, insurance, on both truck and trailer when you arrive. We Stayed In spot 338 and had absolutely no cell coverage for our Verizon phones. The Bathrooms and showers take a code to get in. Not sure what thats all about, they were clean. The Geese in the park are a hoot! It Appears the park is VERY residential now a days. Not a camping environment like it was years ago. Dirt bikes, electric scooters, golf carts with loud music, cars literally cruising the park with loud music, people using leaf blowers you name it we saw it. If your going there to get away this is the wrong park very busy and noisy all hours.

Actually there is...Camp Pendleton Del Mar Beach is not too bad in small doses or stays. The first thing you must remember it is a Marine Corp base and that things run a bit differently. It’s their own world. Federal laws and regulations are enforced. They will give you a ticket for one mile o er the speed limit and take a point. They remodeled the beach area and tore out all the trailers a few years back and built rental cottages. There are also tent sites as well as RV/trailer sites with hook-ups. They each come with a barbecue pit but no grill. Reservations are a must. Prices are seasonal, $50 for the cottages and $40 for the others. You may reserve a spot or cottage for usyally up to two weeks. AnythIng longer and they are are lIkely to place you in the back wIth no vIew. You may bring a dog to the beach but it must be on leash at all times because of the endangered wildlife by the marsh. Del Mar beach is open to the public technically for day trippers. You can drive on base without military ID, they will just ask for a driver license and proof of insurance at the main gate and to sign in. Most ammenties, like the rentals and other camp sites would not be accessible. However, if you have a military sponsor who is willing to make the reservation under his name discreetly, that’s a different story. Active duty usually has priority over retired and civilians in regards to reservations. Active duty can book 12 weeks out and others 10 weeks. On base you will not have access to stores, gas stations, etc., without some form of military ID. Summer months are not bad if you don’t mind young marines enjoying alcoholic libations in large quantities or witnessing a lot of testosterone as they try to exert their dominance. There is a restaurant and bar that is air conditioned so you can escape the heat.