Best Campgrounds near Seal Beach, CA

Camping near Seal Beach, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a beachside retreat or a cozy spot in the woods, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

• Beach Access: Many campgrounds are just a short walk from the beach. For example, at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach, campers enjoy being only 1.5 miles from the ocean, making it easy to hit the waves.
• Hiking and Biking: Trails are abundant in the area. Campers at Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park rave about the great hiking and mountain biking trails nearby, saying, “Great location for beach, biking and hiking.”
• Wildlife Watching: The natural surroundings provide opportunities to see local wildlife. One visitor at Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park mentioned, “The birds are flying around you and the squirrels are free to welcome you when you get there.”

What campers like:

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Bonelli Bluffs highlights, “Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen.”
• Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. At Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, one camper said, “We camped in site 103 and found it to be an awesome spot.”
• Friendly Staff: Campers often mention helpful staff. A visitor at Dogwood Campground noted, “Camp hosts are friendly and knowledgeable.”

What you should know:

• Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds have few amenities. For instance, Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park has no water or dump station, which can be a hassle for RV campers.
• Noise Levels: Campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A camper at Doheny State Beach Campground mentioned, “Every day and night multiple other campers had music blasting and were yelling and screaming.”
• Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can feel cramped. A review from Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground states, “The middle sites are small and tight, offering little privacy.”

Tips for camping with families:

• Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. San Clemente State Beach Campground is close to many family-friendly attractions and has a nice beach for kids to play.
• Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan hikes to keep kids entertained. A family at Dogwood Campground enjoyed the “great mountain bike or hiking trail about 5-6mi loop.”
• Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids happy with snacks and games for downtime. One camper at Canyon Campground mentioned, “Spent 3 nights here & wish we could stay longer.”

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review from San Mateo Campground notes, “The campground is setup as a bunch of loops with a large common area between the rear of every campsite.”
• Bring Your Own Water: Some campgrounds lack water hookups. A visitor at Thornhill Broome Beach mentioned, “We went to Sycamore campground to fill up on water.”
• Be Prepared for Limited Connectivity: Many campgrounds have poor cell service. A camper at Point Mugu State Park said, “No T-Mobile wifi. We dropped by to fill up water since we were camping at Thornhill Broome.”

Camping around Seal Beach, CA, offers a variety of experiences, from beach fun to mountain trails. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!