Top Tent Camping near Lompoc, CA

Recent Tent Reviews In Lompoc

519 Reviews of 16 Lompoc Campgrounds

• B

  Bryce M.

  Traveler

  

  September 5, 2024

  Military Park Vandenberg AFB Pine Canyon Campground

  Nice and quiet

  Located on Vandenberg base which requires a membership card (military I.D.) This helps keep the camp site more private. No one goes here. It is tranquil and has trails to hike and lakes to fish in. Hunting is also allowed during select seasons. If you like quiet and keep to yourself, this is the place. There are no trash cans and a permit is required for campfire. There are a couple of port-a-pots and they are very clean. Go SpaceForce! Lastly, watch out for poison oak. Stay on the trails and all is well. Semper Fi.

• S

  Susie B.

  Traveler

  

  August 30, 2024

  Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

  Please Don’t Tell Anyone About This — OOPS

  This is tragi-comedy: I was invited to a wedding in Santa Barbara. It was summer and the most fleabitten motel prices were astronomical. I began to look at campsites within driving distance, I was desperate. Booked Catchuma and thought, hoorah, I’ve defeated the tourism trap. 

  Well… from the moment I arrived . . . I really could not care less about the wedding. My god. I think I’ll leave it at that. 

  Bring binos. Boat, bring your canoe/kayak.

• K

  Kim G.

  Guide

  

  August 20, 2024

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  Not our scene: hot, crowded, buggy

  We had reservations for 2 nights on an Augugst Friday / Saturday at Lopez Lake in a full-hook-up site in Bandtail (Site 38). The reviews of this place were great, and the photos were beautiful. We arrived to find a HUGE park (yes, I should have noted how many campsites there are). Check-in involved parking our van and standing in line like Disneyland. The park employees were nice though. There were big signs all around "NO FIRES" (more on this later) and I was also told at check in that there were no fires. We found our site easily enough, only to realize how closely packed the sites were in Bandtail. Some nice folks to our right had three sites - 11 kids and 21 people between them. The kids rode their bikes all over, and even onto our site (while also running around our van chasing a chipmunk). We had our daughter's dog, so tried sitting outside in the shade, only to find that in addition to the heat (it was mid 80s), there were biting flies. :( Poor puppy got bit or stung more than once. So we went in our van and turned on the AC (it could run on low with the 20A service there). Then, after dark, a dad and his young son arrive on our other side and had to back in their boat in the dark. We got out of our rig and helped them (twice) with our portable lights and guidance. In the morning, they spoke in very loud voices and we were right next door. We did take one of the trails in the heat, but they are not at all well maintained - basically trampled grass that could easily hold a snake. While the area is pretty, it is just way too crowded for our taste. Oh, and the bathrooms were dimily lit, had a couple of non-functioning toilets, and were dirty. We were ready to get out of there and will not be back. Lastly, though the fire danger was marked as extremely high and "NO FIRES" signs at check-in, along with verbal warnings of no fires, I saw two campsites had open fires in the fire pits. This blatant lack of regard for rules and safety didn't sit well with me. And no one was enforcing the fire ban. Sad.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  August 17, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Great Campground

  We stayed here a few years ago, but on the primitive / non-hookup side. We stayed on the E/W hookup side this time and liked it as well, though it does have the more typical RV/parking lot feel as compared to the other side.  There's a nice walking trail that connects the two sides. It's $50 for an E/W site, plus an $8.25 reservation fee.

  There's a cool lagoon that you can walk all the way around on, with lots of birds, and much of it accessible as well which is nice. There's a cool visitor center, open 12-4. The beach is a short walk away. There's a great Mexican restaurant down the road also, Old Juan's, it's so good and has great vegan options.

  The showers here are nice and clean, and $1 gets you 4 minutes.  The showers are individual, private, and non-gendered. There was no host on site when we were there, but the rangers were very present.  This campground, like all California State campgrounds we've been to recently, has trash, recycling, and a food compost bin which I love.

  There's a fun game for kids where you download an app and go on a scavenger hunt and complete other challenges.

  No dump station here, but there's one just 2 miles north at North Beach Campground, and it's $10 for dump and water fill there.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  August 17, 2024

  Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground

  4 x 4 recommended

  We love being able to camp directly on the beach, and have done so many times in Texas and in Louisiana, but wouldn't recommend it here unless you are in a 4wd. We did see 2 skoolies on the beach, but then we also saw a pickup truck stuck in the sand in the parking lot outside of the beach, so there's that.

  Camping overnight is only $10, and the beach is wide open for camping. It was very busy during the day on a weekday in August, so I can imagine the weekends are packed. 

  This is a fun beach in a fun, low key beach town, and we love coming here.

• M

  Michael H.

  Traveler

  

  July 28, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Beach camping

  Short walk to the dunes, 5 minute drive to downtown Pismo Beach.

• 

  Monica E.

  Traveler

  

  July 3, 2024

  Jalama Beach County Park

  Never disappoints

  Jalama Beach offers great walks along a long beach that is nestled in a cozy bay. Surfers, couples & families can enjoy this beautiful place. Watch for tar on the sand & pack some petroleum jelly to help remove it in case you step on it barefoot. There’s a small freshwater stream that flows right into the shore where your pets & kids like to splash around & play. Lots of driftwood & rocks pepper the shore so bring water shoes.

• 

  Jeremy F.

  Guide

  

  June 27, 2024

  Lopez Lake Recreation Area

  Great time with the whole family

  Large sites with plenty of room for tents and all the other camping necessities. This site backs up into the hills and there are black bears that roam the area so be sure to prepare for that. The lake is full and lots of areas to fish.

• 

  Elijah L.

  Guide

  

  June 21, 2024

  Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground

  It's the beach

  A vehicle beach with unlimited things to do fishing, offroad sand dunes, hike, camp rv vehicle theres class A B C home made its awesome dogs allowed, after 10pm it's so quite

• 

  Michelle W.

  Ranger

  

  June 17, 2024

  Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

  Nice location, my site had no privacy

  I loved walking to the ocean in the morning. Many birds and bunnies hopping around.
  I would not choose my spot again.

• b

  barbara M.

  Guide

  

  May 31, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Beautiful, but a little squirrely

  This campground is awesome. It’s very beautiful, with lots of wildflowers, trees, trails, beach dunes…and squirrels. Lots of them. But we also saw and heard hawks, turkey vultures, owls, and many other birds. We also saw a cute little weasel. There’s also lots of rangers, which makes for very well-mannered campers. Loved it!! You can walk to the beach or drive on the beach. Driving in the beach was fun, but it was so windy and so cold! This was the end of May. Not sure what the weather is over months. The actual campground was not as cold or windy, since it’s behind the dunes. The bathrooms have hot water and Flush toilets. Showers are huge and are self-contained and not in the bathrooms. Tokens needed. Starting in May there’s a market night at the main pier, small but fun to visit. Lots to do, from renting dune buggies to playing at the main pier. Loved it and can’t wait to go back. Oh, and about the squirrels. They’re not afraid. They ate through my little pantry that’s canvas that’s connected under my table. Also, mosquitoes! How could I forget. Bring bug spray and citronella or thermacills. They’re out and about and it’s not fun if you’re not prepared. There’s a Walmart not too far away. After the citronella incense weren’t working, we went to Walmart and it was war! Another note, campsite 68 does not look like the photo. Tree is gone and the ice plant has invaded the site and made it smaller. One tent will fit, not another.

• O

  Oscar R.

  Scout

  

  May 31, 2024

  Radl Ranch

  Amazin spot

  Great spot! Been here 2 times already!

• B

  Brooke H.

  Scout

  

  May 25, 2024

  Avila Hot Springs

  Small hot spring pool and loud and cramped camping area

  Only one small shallow hot spring pool, usually crowded at peak hours. At the pool there is outdoor showers, lap pool, indoor bathrooms, changing rooms.

  Camping area is small and it’s basically a dirt parking lot. Loud road noise all night and day from the freeway. Lots of pincher bugs infested my gear. Not peaceful. Better to just visit for a soak, they have cheaper rates for a morning or evening visit.

• K

  Kim G.

  Guide

  

  May 23, 2024

  El Capitán State Beach Campground

  Bluff-top beach-ish camping

  We spent two nights at El Capitan State Beach. Our site had an ocean view, which is why I give this campground a 4-star rating. There isn't much to do here (limited hiking), so that is why it isn't a 5-star review. Still, other than one windy day, we had a lovely time relaxing here, walking the limited beach bluff-top walk down to the beach and west toward Refugio. The path used to go all the way to Refugio, but it is closed right after the walk/bike-in campsites at El Capitan due to the ocean erroding away the cliffs the path sits on. The bathrooms were fairly clean and there are showers (didn't use). Like many CA parks, the area has a run-down feel. We went into Santa Barbara on our way to and from the campsite. It is about a 20-mile drive, so a bit long. One of my photos is at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara (you can see the pier). It is a good place to park a van (up to 22 ft) or they have "motor home" spots for day parking.

• 

  Heather K.

  Ranger

  

  May 19, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Great campground, camp hosts not so much

  I’ve been coming to this campground for years with friends. It’s an awesome spot. Bathrooms are generally clean however you do need tokens for the showers and the machine only accepts cash so make sure you have some dollars. You get two tokens for a dollar and each token gets you 2 min of shower time. They have garbage and recycling too. The camp hosts are a bit militant about the rules so don’t break them. They have zero tolerance and don’t put up with anything. Also keep your dog on a leash. Someone’s dog attacked another dog this morning and the State Park LEO were on site.

• 

  Patrick J.

  Legend

  

  May 9, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Great location for beach and dunes access.

  Very nice SP campground. Don't try to check in early, you will get suggestions to park until check in time of 2pm. Once in, the sites with hook ups sans sewer, will actually be pull through sites, which was nice. From there, you can walk. ride or drive on to the beach. There are paths around the camp that go around the estuary type lagoon. Dune trails are nice for hiking although some thick sand in places. We rode our bikes on the beach. Low tide makes it very easy with wet packed sand. The sites are spaced pretty well. We will be back for sure.

• D

  Danny

  Traveler

  

  May 3, 2024

  Islay Creek Campground — Montaña de Oro State Park

  Beautiful, clean & quiet

  One of my favorite established campgrounds this far. Small and secluded and plenty of space between most sites. Wood and water both widely available, not sure about electric though. Short walk to Bluff Trail trailhead and Spooner’s cove.

• M

  Michael

  Ranger

  

  April 24, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Green grass near beach

  Green, grassy campground with well separated spaces. Most pull thru and level. All surrounded by grass for nice tent camping. Surf sound is continuous. Masks other sounds except noisy generator in next site. Nice restrooms

• 

  Rico B.

  Guide

  

  April 21, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Ocean front recreation

  Ocean front, off road sand dune recreation if you have a capable vehicle. It’s great. Best with an off-road capable vehicle. Bathrooms are a bit rough without running water.

  Fish, drive off-road, camp, bonfire or hunt for seashells.

  Bring a good jacket in April.

• 

  Benjamin J.

  Scout

  

  March 12, 2024

  Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Rest / Camp area

  Can’t enter the site

  Road closed

• 

  Julian M.

  Guide

  

  March 7, 2024

  Sycamore Campground

  Birthday party

  Great weekend experience

• 

  Sonny C.

  Scout

  

  February 23, 2024

  North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Awesome Beach - Weird Campground

  Being so close to this awesome beach is definitely a hook, but something is off about this place. The staff are on top of you from the time you pull in to if you are a couple minutes late leaving. Little to no shade. Said hello to other campers with no so much of a nod.  

  Not my scene for sure.

• 

  Robert G.

  Guide

  

  February 20, 2024

  Camp San Luis Obispo RV

  Nice country setting

  Enough sites and dry camping is an option if full. Clean wash houses.

• 

  Patrick J.

  Legend

  

  February 18, 2024

  Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

  Our go to place

  This was another trip here. We needed a quick getaway, and this is always a good choice for us. Check in was easy, they even changed our site after showing all that were available. The was February, so lots of available sites. We will be back!

• 

  Shaun S.

  Scout

  

  January 16, 2024

  North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Good for overnight stay

  Stopped here for a quick overnight stay on the way to Big Sur over New Year’s Eve weekend. Bathrooms were clean, campground seemed well maintained. Sites very close together with limited to no shade.

• 

  5 STAR X P.

  Guide

  

  January 10, 2024

  Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach

  Nice winter camp with private showeres

  I have a truck canopy / rooftop tent, and everything is nicely accessible. I think it was around $35 so it's a great stopping point to shower and freahen up before continuing on. I arrived after new years weekend and walked in to check the available sites that I wanted. Lots of short hike trails and walking distance to the ocean.

• 

  Bridgette H.

  Guide

  

  December 9, 2023

  Flying Flags Avila Beach

  Stellar Stay - Top Choice!

  I’m so glad I came across this on the maps. It was a bit of a splurge ($105/night), but when I pulled in and saw that view - it was totally worth it. I even added an extra night at the end of my week, bc I just didn’t want to leave. Sites are spaced decently, but still 10-ish feet apart. Propane fire pits at each site. Clean bathrooms and lovely, huge private shower rooms. Laundry onsite is cashless - Apple Pay. The views, I can not say enough. Sunrise in the morning is epic and watching to cotton candy sky show every night while listening to the seals bark from the ocean. I loved every second of it. Such a treat.