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Best Campgrounds near Los Olivos, CA

803 Reviews

Several campgrounds surround the small town of Los Olivos in California, giving campers different options based on what they're looking for. The State Beach Campground sits close to the Pacific Ocean, which works well for anyone who wants to spend time at the beach. Wheeler Gorge Campground in Los Padres National Forest has more trees and fewer people around. Both places have different kinds of facilities depending on what type of camping you prefer. State Beach Campground has good bathrooms and tables for eating, which many families like. Wheeler Gorge is better known for its trails and good views of the area. Getting to these campgrounds is pretty easy since the roads are paved all the way there. Some spots might need trucks or SUVs with higher clearance if the roads get rough. You'll see lots of wildlife around Los Olivos, so keep your food secure to keep animals away from your campsite. Bird watching is good here with many different species flying around. If you want to take a break from camping, you can check out Solvang town or go see vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. The weather can change quickly here - even summer nights can get cold, so bring extra clothes to stay warm. Los Olivos makes a good camping spot whether you're staying for a weekend or longer, with both beach and forest camping not far from each other.

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Best Camping Sites Near Los Olivos, California (112)

    1. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

    59 Reviews
    Santa Ynez, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 686-5055

    "My dad has a small 14 ft fishing boat, and we enjoy taking the boat out on the lake to fish and sightsee.

    There are endless trails around Cachuma Lake in Los Padres National Forest."

    "We stayed during the recent storm of the century in Central California so weren’t able to take advantage of what the park has to offer. The sites are very long and not too jammed together."

    2. El Capitán State Beach Campground

    46 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 585-1869

    $45 - $320 / night

    "It's convenient, easy drive-up and set up tent camping. The campground and the bathrooms are well taken care of and clean. It's also nice that the beach is nearby."

    "This campground doesn’t feel too much like you’re out in the wilderness, but it is on a cliff above the beach on California’s central coast so who’s to complain?"

    3. Flying Flags RV Resort

    21 Reviews
    Buellton, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 783-5247

    "Thus is a roadside RV park that is a nice size and super friendly. We stayed here on Valentines weekend. It was mostly quiet and the camp host was delivering breakfast to the campsite, super cheap."

    "Close by solvang town and many pretty hiking trails"

    4. Mt. Figueroa Campground

    21 Reviews
    Los Olivos, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Figueroa Campground is a 33-35 site campground behind Los Olivos, CA. It is surrounded by live oaks and gorgeous manzanita trees, so there is a lot of shade available."

    "While visiting Los Padres National forest on a Valentines Weekend, we unfortunately couldn’t do much camping near the higher altitudes due to high wind gusts so we headed toward the other camps, Davy Brown"

    5. Refugio State Beach Campground

    25 Reviews
    Solvang, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 968-1033

    $45 - $350 / night

    "Low key but nice beach side campground along California’s Central Coast. Not to far from Santa Barbara. A bit of a surfers paradise because of some of the spots not far from the campsite."

    "This is the furthest spot away from the ocean we’ve ever stayed, but the site was large and exposed, which meant our solar panels were able to get all the charge they needed each day to easily power everything"

    6. Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

    19 Reviews
    Goleta, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 879-5751

    "If you find yourself up near Santa Barbara, this luxury RV Resort and Campground is a real splurge."

    "Great trails to hike or Mt. Bike ride. Easy access to the beach. Very friendly staff. Nice amenities. One of my favorite places. Will be back again."

    7. Arroyo Hondo Vista Point Rest / Camp area

    11 Reviews
    Solvang, CA
    14 miles
    Website

    "This is a California Highway rest area right off the 101 just north of Goleta/Santa Barbara. As the sign says, one is allowed to park their 8 hours."

    "The entrance and exit are build for traffic going south, so you have to be comfortable doing a freeway u-turn if you're going north."

    8. Jalama Beach County Park

    38 Reviews
    Santa Ynez, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 736-3504

    "This campground is right next to the beach and is well loved by the many return campers I spoke with."

    "Jalama Beach offers great walks along a long beach that is nestled in a cozy bay. Surfers, couples & families can enjoy this beautiful place."

    9. Gaviota Campground — Gaviota State Park

    11 Reviews
    Solvang, CA
    15 miles

    $45 / night

    "I love that the campsite is right next to the beach, less than 5 minute walk."

    10. Nira Campground

    4 Reviews
    Los Olivos, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 434-1996

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Nira is a small, primitive campground in the San Rafael wilderness behind the Santa Ynez Valley."

    "Beautiful drive to get to Nira with stunning views. Had a nice visit having the whole campground to ourselves, although the nearby trailheads had several cars."

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Recent Camping Photos near Los Olivos, CA

244 Photos of 112 Los Olivos Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Los Olivos, CA

803 Reviews of 112 Los Olivos Campgrounds

  • Michael S.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground

    Use your 4x4 for what it was intended for, but use caution

    Just spent the weekend in the Oceano SVRA, and some things I noticed:

    1. Even with the reduced number of campers, the camping area still seemed really full.

    2. The sand was very soft and deep in the camping area, and I saw multiple 4x4 trucks getting stuck, including a Lexus GX460, 2 Toyota Tacomas and 1 4Runner, and a stock Jeep Wrangler. 

    3. The dunes are ridiculously fun to drive on, but they are also dangerous. They are also very devoid of other vehicles due to the limited number of entries, so DO NOT go out alone. There are plenty of places to get lost in, and if you're at the bottom of a dune, you cannot see where you are and will be lost. 

    So much fun, even the mariachi bands blasting music until 3 in the morning was fun.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Carpenteria State Beach

    Good location

    This was our first stop out of LA, great location. The beach was nice but beware of tar staining. The showers required tokens but the token machine was out of order. A bit annoying for the price of the site.

  • Tommy B.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    pismo state beach

    Busy campground

    This used to be a really nice park. Now, there doesn’t seem to be any pride in taking care of it.

  • Missy R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    North Beach Campground — Pismo State Beach

    Perfect spot for the beach and gatherings with friends

    I love Pismo Beach! The sites are large and perfect for a group of friends. They have incredible amenities. The beach is steps away. And the community has a good walking path and restaurants within walking distance.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Close to Walkable Swimmable Beach / Close to Town / Nice Sunsets / Crowded

    Santa Cruz non-hook-up sites have: asphalt parking (close to level); picnic table; fire pit.  Individual restrooms with flush toilets and hot/cold water sinks cleaned daily but get lots of use.  Showers (tokens) cleaned but may have beach sand on floors.  Check feet / shoes for TAR from beach before entering tent / RV!  Baby oil helps take it off... plastic bag(s) helps to contain shoes.  Spaces can be tight... neighbor's RV was about two feet from ours.  Non-hook-up fee was $43.00 plus $8.25 online reservation fee.  "Enroute" camping may be available if campground is "full"... no hook-ups or tables - and have to leave by 9am - but you might have more space!   Inquire at front gate even if sign says "campground full".  Quiet after 10pm on Friday night even though campground and group sites were very full.  Thanks fellow campers!  Nice wide and safe swimming beach - close to quaint town - make this a CALIFORNIA CLASSIC.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach

    Good Location Close to Beach & Lagoon

    Prior reviews accurate. Hook-up sites close together... non-hookup have more separation. Popular with families and groups Grass around tent sites still green. Most parking spots close to level but bring some blocks. Individual large restrooms with flush toilets and sinks. Nice large showers take state park tokens. Nice lagoon walking path but some parts flooded right now. Campground protected from blowing sand because dunes in front of it. Nice area to start beach walks or rent dune buggies. Close to Pismo Beach for many restaurants and pier. Classic California...

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach

    Beautiful location. Close to town

    Beautiful location. Close to town. Walkable, hike-able, bike-able, rideable via paths. No dogs on beach. There is a dog beach further up the coast. Sites are pretty tight. Lots of families and tent camping. Need token from kiosk for showers. Train comes by every once in a while. I stayed in Santa Cruz in my 25’ motorhome with no hook ups. Had my own picnic table and fire ring. May stay again only because of the nice walkable paths. Watch where you step near the tar pits.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area Campground

    Vehicle on beach camping

    You are driving onto the beach and camping, what more to ask for! The actual camping section of the beach is a little tight even with an empty 160 available sites (vehicles) still available. So weekends or sold out nights pirably too tight for me. Cars may drive by any time of the night. The waves sound and general experience is worth it, especially considering you can move into the more open day use are for the 7am-10pm day time.

    I would recommend AWD unless you are able to plan your trip to stay on the firm sand. Don’t go Into The soft sand without awd

Guide to Los Olivos

Camping near Los Olivos, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores at Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach. It's just a short walk to the beach, making it perfect for sunbathing or beachcombing. One camper mentioned, “The beach is a short walk away,” highlighting the convenience of this location.
  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails around Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Campers have enjoyed biking on the beach and hiking the dune trails, with one reviewer stating, “We rode our bikes on the beach. Low tide makes it very easy with wet packed sand.”
  • Wildlife Watching: At Jalama Beach County Park, you can spot various birds and marine life. A visitor noted, “Surfers, couples & families can enjoy this beautiful place,” emphasizing the area's natural beauty.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. One review mentioned, “The flush bathrooms are clean and spacious,” which is a big plus for many.
  • Scenic Views: Many campers rave about the stunning views at El Capitán State Beach Campground. A reviewer said, “Our site had an ocean view, which is why I give this campground a 4-star rating.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Wheeler Gorge Campground are great for families. One camper shared, “Great campground for kids, we always have a good time,” highlighting its suitability for families.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Emma Wood State Beach, have minimal facilities. A camper noted, “Completely dry camping with no showers or bathrooms,” so be prepared for a more rustic experience.
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Popular spots like Lake Casitas Recreation Area can get busy. One visitor mentioned, “There were big signs all around 'NO FIRES'... it is just way too crowded for our taste.”
  • Wildlife Precautions: If you're camping at places like Lopez Lake Recreation Area, be aware of wildlife. A reviewer warned, “There are black bears that roam the area so be sure to prepare for that.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with plenty of activities, like Jalama Beach County Park, where families can enjoy beach walks and splashing in the water. One camper said, “There’s a small freshwater stream that flows right into the shore where your pets & kids like to splash around.”
  • Bring Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially at campgrounds like Wheeler Gorge Campground. A camper advised, “Bring bug spray and citronella or thermacills.”
  • Check for Kid-Friendly Amenities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or open spaces, like Lake Cachuma Recreation Area, which has a water park for kids during summer months.

Tips from RVers:

  • Know Your Site: At Oceano County Campground — Pismo State Beach, some sites have a more RV-friendly setup. One reviewer mentioned, “The sites with hookups sans sewer will actually be pull-through sites, which was nice.”
  • Bring Cash for Showers: Campgrounds like Cachuma Lake Recreation Area require tokens for showers. A camper noted, “You get two tokens for a dollar and each token gets you 2 min of shower time.”
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds, such as Santa Cruz Campground — Carpinteria State Beach, have snug spots. A visitor shared, “Spots are very snug. You can get stuck waiting for a while if your neighbors don’t know how to park their unit.”

Camping near Los Olivos, California, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an official Los Olivos campground, and what amenities does it offer?

Los Olivos itself doesn't have an official town campground, but nearby Flying Flags RV Resort serves as a popular alternative with upscale amenities. For a more rustic experience close to town, Fremont Campground in the Los Padres National Forest provides basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Most campers visiting Los Olivos stay at these nearby options or at Cachuma Lake facilities, then make day trips into town for wine tasting and dining. The lack of an in-town campground is offset by the quality options within a short driving distance, making it easy to enjoy Los Olivos while having a comfortable base camp nearby.

Where are the best camping locations near Los Olivos?

The best camping near Los Olivos includes Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, just a short drive away, offering tent sites, yurts, cabins, and full RV hookups on a bluff overlooking the lake. The recreation area features immaculate bathrooms, showers, and a disc golf course. Another excellent option is Mt. Figueroa Campground, located behind Los Olivos with 33-35 sites surrounded by live oaks and manzanita trees providing ample shade. Each site comes with a fire ring and picnic table, though amenities are limited to pit toilets with no hookups available. Both locations offer easy access to Los Olivos' wine tasting opportunities while providing beautiful natural settings for camping.

What are the camping options between Los Olivos and Oceano County?

Between Los Olivos and Oceano County, several excellent camping options exist. Oceano Campground — Pismo State Beach offers sites tucked behind dunes with beach access, some breathing room between campsites (especially if you avoid the middle rows), and is popular with families. For those seeking more amenities, Lopez Lake Recreation Area provides lakeside camping with various facilities. Other options include North Beach Campground with large sites perfect for groups and nearby restaurants within walking distance, and several private RV parks like Le Sage Riviera that offer proximity to water activities and local attractions including monarch butterfly groves.

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