Best Campgrounds near Santa Margarita, CA

This campground is fairly open and trees are sparse, but the sites are spaced sufficiently apart that they afford privacy. No hookups, but there’s water at each site and conveniently located flush toilets, sinks and showers.

Right off Highway 1 for a bike ride and walking distance to a beautiful rugged beach. We nerded out on birds and wildflowers.

The campground was full during our stay, but we found the campground quiet at night.

Directly behind the campground is a large, unattractive human-made pond. Lots of fencing, plastic sheeting and a herd of sheep who may have been put there to graze down the grass and weeds. A little jarring in the context of the natural beauty, but nbd. The sheep were actually kind of entertaining.

Rangers and camp host were super friendly. Host sells firewood. Cambria is the best bet for groceries and other necessities. San Simeon is more limited and fancy.

Extremely limited Verizon service here: 1 bar flitting on and off.

Stayed in the non electric spots in our camper. The site next to ours was occupied which made parking the trailer a little tricky- almost like parallel parking and the sites are close together like a parking lot. Could not see the ocean from site 1 but had a little more space/privacy since it was a corner spot. Bathrooms were clean enough and a short walk to the beach! Some scattered litter, but nothing too crazy. We loved walking along the beach and watching the wild life. Our dog at the campsite kept the squirrels away, but they were definitely looking for food at other sites.

This is just a glorified parking lot with tons of aggressive and loud chirping squirrels. We were in sites 19 and 10. Site 19 faced the beach but it was really the shrubs. Some sites that face the beach do have a nice view of the ocean but 19 did not. Site 10 is literally a parking space with a strip of dirt and table and fire ring. You are right next to your fellow campers and it at least makes for some great people watching because you are literally right in the middle of the street.

The beach is another story. I am from SoCal and my husband is from SoFlo and we were not impressed with the beach at all. It smells, has lots of unsightly and strange looking seaweed that I wouldn’t want to ever encounter if I was in the ocean. Morro Rock was there but the fog covered it up most of the time. Come if you want to but there are much better places out there. I hear that Point Magu State Park is way better.

I was extremely disappointed with my experience at Franklin Hot Springs. The property looks nothing like the pictures on their website. When I arrived, I was shocked to find that the‘campsites’ consisted of nothing more than a post in the ground with a picnic table nearby, all set in an area that resembled a junkyard. The facilities were in terrible condition—the bathrooms, showers, and swimming pool were dirty and had an overwhelming mildew smell. I couldn’t bring myself to use any of them. The overall atmosphere made me feel unsafe, and I didn’t feel comfortable staying overnight in my van next to them. I ended up leaving immediately after taking some photos. I hope my$50 can at least go toward improving the cleanliness of the facilities, but I would not recommend this place to anyone

The front office staff is amazing. Expect to unhitch and have maintenance move your trailer into the spot for you… but make sure you remind them you need to level if yours isn't a self-leveling rig. And expect them to be impatient and wanting to get to the next job.

Location is good if you don’t plan on spending much time at your campsite apart from eating, sleeping, and cleaning up. You will be up and personal with all your neighbors - sounds, smells, etc. 

AND smoking is permitted in the campsites so you'll be sharing that with your neighbors too. 

Recommend one night max for tank clean out and fresh water refill.