Best Tent Camping near Laguna Beach, CA
Tent campers in the Laguna Beach area of California can access oceanfront sites at Doheny State Beach Campground, where several tent-specific areas provide direct beach access. Located in Dana Point, this established campground offers tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. Additional tent camping options include Black Jack Campground and Little Harbor Campground on Catalina Island, accessible by boat or ferry from the nearby Dana Point Harbor.
Tent campsites at Doheny State Beach are set on sandy terrain with minimal grading, requiring careful tent staking. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables, but minimal privacy between neighboring campers. Water spigots are located near restroom facilities rather than at individual sites. Bathrooms and token-operated showers are available, though cleanliness varies during peak periods. Reservations are essential, particularly for beachfront tent sites, which must be booked up to six months in advance. Tent campers should note that sites are arranged in close proximity with little natural screening between neighbors.
Beach tent camping experiences offer unique coastal access not available at inland locations. One camper noted that "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." The proximity to Dana Point Harbor provides convenient access to restaurants, shops, and rental facilities for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Tent campers frequently use these oceanfront sites as bases for beach activities, whale watching excursions, and coastal trail exploration. Sites along the beachfront (numbers 45-73) provide the most direct ocean views and access but are furthest from bathroom facilities. Morning fog and evening ocean breezes characterize the coastal tent camping experience, with the sound of waves creating a distinctive sleeping environment.
