Looking for the best campgrounds near San Juan Capistrano, CA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—San Juan Capistrano is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near San Juan Capistrano and user-submitted reviews.
$250 / night
"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."
$50 - $350 / night
"I frequently stay at this site since it's close to my house and on the beach.
THE SITES:
The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy."
"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. "
$45 - $300 / night
"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."
"The hardcore surfing nomads stealth camp in their bubble-top vans outside of the park on the streets. Walking distance to Cottons point for surfing and to hangout among the beach huts."
$75 / night
"Luckily Booked last minute on reserve California (the worst web thing ever) on site 49. Looks like there is a oven view from every site. Close to beach and shopping."
"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."
$20 / night
"It's tucked back in the canyon, but you will still hear all the traffic from the road. Since it is a canyon, many loud cars and motorcycles zoom past at high speeds.
Free dump station. "
"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..."
$20 - $25 / night
"Just out of the town of San Juan Capistrano, one might think that it is too city like. Once you get into the park however, you feel like you are in a remote woods with the city far behind you."
"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. "
$45 / night
"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."
$250 / night
"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."
$75 - $550 / night
"As we expected, the sites are stacked up next to each other like dominoes with minimal foliage/fencing to separate the sites."
"There's a nice bike trail that circles around the bay, which is great for kids. Also, lots of amenities for families, including playgrounds, water toys, movie nights and fire pits."
$20 / night
"We were able to find a spot tucked away off one of the loops to the left after a small hill. Neighbors played loud music but we didn’t mind at all."
"clean restrooms and sites. large campground with paved roads was nice for strolling through. pretty far off the beaten path above lake elsinore. the views near by were fantastic. the staff was fairly friendly"
ScoutCamping for over 25 years- 140 nights a year and we have never experienced a campground as unprofessional, clueless and arrogant as this one. Their campsite math is completely unacceptable and when asked for ax explination we were treated like we should be happy they were allowing us to stay and it felt like they thought we could not afford to stay there. PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND UNDERSTAND THE BILL!!! Their site measurements are for your camping unit ONLY. If you have a tow vehicle or are towing a vehicle you must pay per night for a parking spot, whether it fits on the site or not. So, a 40X14ft standard site can accommodate a travel trailer of 20 feet or less BUT a motorhome of 40 ft or less. If your travel trailer is 21ft you MUST pay for a parking spot even if your total length is less than 40 ft. They neglected to tell us this information when we booked our site quoted$500 the weekly rate and we paid the deposit. We called to ask a question and they mentioned our total$740.61. We asked how we added$240 when the website stated$500. The woman could not explain the breakdown and could only tell us that we must pay for our truck to park and the website are not actual prices!! When we asked how we would have known this and she laughed and said you probably wouldn’t, you would have had to pay at arrival. WHAT, WHO HAS EVER HEARD OF THAT! With one story after another and no answers we called and told them we would be staying elsewhere because we needed to know the total! They canceled our site but kept our deposit despite their inability to understand and explain how they charge for a site. IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW– BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU! They just want to fill their campground! 1. If you are in anything other than a motorhome you will need to pay for your vehicle to park! 2. The 40ft RV length restriction includes the length of the hitch 3. Despite their sites being able to accommodate a 40ft rig their campground is extremely tight and sites may be very difficult to back in if longer than 35ft. 4. If you have a larger RV or slide-outs it is recommended you book Deluxe space or Deluxe space+ parking. 5. Standard sites may be too narrow to extend awning 6. There is no guarantee your vehicle will be parked next to or near your RV you are only paying for a spot. 7. Despite Disneyland being a family destination, their campsites are for 2 people only. You must pay for each additional person over 10 years old. 8. You must pay for your family pet. 9. You will need to pay for the pool key but should get it back. 10. Any standard site is a parking lot no grass. 11. Any time it says grass it is synthetic grass- AstroTurf 12. The very small strip of grass on a site has a fee attached. 13. Must be manufactured by a recognized maker or you must provide photos and copy of valid DMV Registration 14. You must have a 25ft sewage hose. 15. Tax is not included 7.75% CA Tax AND transient occupancy tax of 15%
ScoutOverall the campground / park is very nice and has all of the amenities (toilets, showers, water, etc.). The view overlooking the water is nice!
It is a very populated area, the campsites are close to one and other. That said, we had a nice space. There is a highway (the 101) and active railroad adjacent to the park.
ScoutGreat place! The camp ground is great, and you can feel the beach breeze! The walk to the beach was amazing too! And it family friendly!!!!
LegendOur friends just bought a camper van and wanted to test the systems on it while having a weekend getaway and this was a great spot for it! All hookups PLUS dump out in each spot (so convenient, loved this!). It’s right in the middle of the city but they did a great job making it feel like you were out in nature. Great walking around the trails and lake. 8 minutes from a super Walmart if you need anything. Other campers are next to you, but not right on top of you. The camp hosts were friendly and do a great job of keeping the sites and bathrooms super clean! Fire pits and picnic tables in each spot as well. One of the hosts offered us some leftover firewood, but we had a propane pit we were using. It’s not a “must come back to” spot but great for a last minute camping experience!
TravelerThere was abundant firewood for purchase at the gate. There is a nice bathroom with flushing toilets and sinks with soap closer to spot #41, but we were at #19, so it was a small walk to get there. However, there was a portopotty right near our site if the walk is too inconvenient.
Our site was flat, and it was easy ground for stakes. Although keep an eye out for critter holes. Tons of little animals hanging out (rabbits, birds, chipmunks). Those chipmunks will definitely go for your stuff if you don't pack it away.
We did see that someone had to be rescued from the riverbed while we were there, so be careful if you plan to climb down into it.
The only bummer was that in some cases, you had to drive to get to other trails, or walk on the road.
ScoutOther then the wifi being very poor signal (some nights ) no wifi. Very nice campsite and the price is great aswell.
ScoutOther reviews have to be A.I. generated. Had every reason to believe there were electrical hookups, but when you show up they say there are no electrical hookups and it’s a dark park so have fun with that experience. It’s no wonder no one actually goes here. You get what you pay for. Not worth the drive.
TravelerI’d say come here if you’re looking to enjoy outside and not be in your rig much. If your one that needs WI-FI this isn’t the spot for you. Your phones hot spot may not even work. One thing I can say is the community bathrooms were clean and the parking spaces were large. A lot of spaces are unleveled but it’s not a deal breaker for me. A cool spot but no sewage and WI-FI is kind of inconvenient. Let me get one at-least LOL
GuideNice camp ground with clean and nice facilities. Bad WiFi
Camping near San Juan Capistrano offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family getaway or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping around San Juan Capistrano has something for everyone, from beach lovers to families looking for adventure. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful California outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Juan Capistrano, CA is San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach with a 4.2-star rating from 52 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near San Juan Capistrano, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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