Best Glamping near Valley Center, CA

Woods Valley Kampground has become a premier glamping destination in San Diego County with forest-covered sites and resort-style amenities. The campground features a variety of luxury camping accommodations nestled among oak trees, providing a natural woodland setting while maintaining modern comforts. Glampers have access to clean shower facilities, swimming pools, fishing ponds, and full hookup options for those seeking an elevated outdoor experience. The campground's immaculate grounds and thoughtful amenities create an upscale outdoor retreat without sacrificing the natural environment. One guest shared, "I love love love this campsite. It's so beautiful to be completely covered by the trees! It makes me feel like I'm in an actual forest and not the middle of San Diego."

Lilac Oaks Campground provides another luxury camping option with glamping sites situated alongside a scenic lake. Trails wind through the property, allowing guests to explore the natural surroundings while returning to comfortable accommodations at day's end. The campground combines outdoor activities like fishing and hiking with amenities including a pool, game room, and convenience store for glampers who appreciate having essentials nearby. Valley Center's location offers easy access to local casinos, shopping centers, and recreational areas while maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. According to a camper, "We stayed here next to the lake for a few days and just loved it. The spot we moved into is huge, covered by trees, plenty of parking and so quiet." Both properties offer year-round availability, making them ideal destinations for weekend glamping getaways regardless of season.

Best Glamping Sites Near Valley Center, California (55)

    1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    77 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean."

    "The breeze kept the bugs and beach heat at bay. Bathrooms were fairly clean and non-pottable water spickets also available for rinsing after the beach visit."

    2. Dixon Lake Campground

    24 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 839-4045

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Make sure you bring a shower caddy and some water proof laundry bags because there aren't many wall hooks to hang your towels or clothes.

    • **Flushable toilets with drum roll SEAT COVERS!!"

    "They clean the fire pits out etc. Some of the 40 series sites are very secluded and have excellent lake views."

    3. Dos Picos County Park

    35 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well."

    "The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity. Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."

    4. La Jolla Indian Campground

    20 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 742-1297

    $40 - $120 / night

    "You can camp next to it as well and get in! It’s $35 per car they do have military discount. The total of $32 with discount. They also have porta potties every few 500 feet."

    "Friendly staff, beautiful beautiful location, magical in many ways. Sometimes the bathrooms we're a bit messy but never anything that was over the top they wee also very busy that weekend."

    5. Palomar Mountain State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 742-3462

    $40 - $130 / night

    "Also, you walk down a few stone steps to pitch your tent, so your car parked a level about you on the street provides nice privacy."

    "I stumbled across this campground while looking for a nearby spot to set my tent up under some trees."

    6. Woods Valley Kampground

    8 Reviews
    Valley Center, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 749-2905

    "There is a lot to do near by, a very convenient store about 5-10 minutes away called valley center foods! Employees were sooo sweet and friendly! DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!"

    "The kids all love fishing at the pond on site. Plenty of space between campgrounds. No issues with hook-ups or amenities. Pool was still closed due to COVID restrictions but looked clean."

    7. Fry Creek Campground

    12 Reviews
    Palomar Mountain, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 788-0250

    $15 / night

    "No matter if you have good camp neighbors but if your camp neighbors starts setting up a portable chainlink fence for a cadre of dogs they are training...There are some more segregated sites near the back"

    "They all have a fire pit and picnic table. I stayed at site 6. Very spacious, private and off the road. Stayed Tuesday-Thursday and we were the only campers in the entire campground."

    8. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    38 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 753-5091

    $50 - $520 / night

    "If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."

    "Some sites are: big, medium and small; right next to each and a little distance; and beach side or inland."

    9. Lilac Oaks Campground

    7 Reviews
    Valley Center, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 979-8869

    $30 - $50 / night

    "Bathrooms a pool and a game room. Plus there are many trails to walk. Light fishing and a mini mart as well. It is fun"

    "We stayed here next to the lake for a few days and just loved it."

    10. William Heise County Park

    46 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-0650

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Table and fire pit at each site.  Hiking available walking distance from camp, trails leading out of camp. Family friendly environment."

    "The drive up was amazing. They had plenty of water to wash and drink with a lot of bathrooms as well. You can walk trails, stargaze, take your bikes around and so much more!"

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Glamping Reviews near Valley Center, CA

758 Reviews of 55 Valley Center Campgrounds


  • Brian N.
    Apr. 25, 2015

    South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    Carlsbad culvert

    South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean. I was here during week of 4/20/15 and it was as nice as always. Like San Elijo it has a private feel at your site with the mature growh btw each site. You are along the rr tracks but that's a small price to access the sick beach and the incredible view. There is a nice hilton with a pool across the street. In. Are your kiddies need some creature comforts(I didn't say pool 'hopping' just using facilities as a client of the restaurant...), or daddy wants a bottle of red and a crisp flatbread without driving anywhere. There are nice a frames north and south, plenty of waves for all.

  • J
    Feb. 24, 2022

    San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping

    Beautiful views - would stay again

    I stayed here three weeks in February. I stayed up top and site 91 was great! I would stay here again and request that site.

    Cons:

    • Noise from I-5 and helicopter sorties. Occasional bombing exercises also.
    • Top bathrooms under construction since January but I wasn’t notified until I got there (provided ports-potties and hand washing station were stocked and cleaned regularly).
    • No dogs allowed on beach. 30 min drive to Dog Beach in Solana.
    • Lower bathrooms. These were the only showers available. The bathrooms are well stocked but the showers were not cleaned regularly. The same clump of hair was in the same shower for three weeks. Four out of six showers have no hooks to hang clothes. Shower caddies are all rusted. Surfers bring their boards in a rinse them off in the showers. The showers/bathrooms are gross. This was by far my biggest complaint. Regular cleaning, a few extra hooks, and new shower caddies would go along way.

    Pros:

    • Beautiful views and lots of beach at low tide.
    • Very quiet during the week (weekends are very busy).
    • Close to a small exchange, commissary, and gas station.
    • Nice fire pits
    • Cheap laundry facilities
    • Close to San Clemente and San Diego is only an hour away.
  • Alicia F.
    May. 2, 2020

    Oceanside RV Resort

    Ocean 🌊 side

    We camped here on a trip up the coast and found this spot at the end of the day. There are 5 spots where you can walk your stuff and camp right on the beach. Each spot was secluded and had a picnic table and a good size area for your tent. It’s a newer retro campground with spots for RV’s, tents, cabins and yurts. There are a lot of option and facilities with showers, bathrooms and laundry.

  • Moriah M.
    Nov. 24, 2020

    Lake Jennings

    Great Campsite

    Lake Jennings Campground is a great campsite tucked away in Lakeside, CA. There are a good amount of campsites, and plenty with great views of the lake (“Preferred View” sites). We stayed in site 91 for 4 nights from Monday to Thursday night while the campground was pretty empty. I imagine it would be a little louder when it’s at full capacity, but we had no noise issues from fellow campers. However, there was plenty of random noise from the military helicopters that randomly flew overhead. It wasn’t disruptive, just unexpected. This campground is not secluded by any means, so the air traffic shouldn’t be a surprise. Honestly, it’s hard to go anywhere in San Diego County without air traffic interruptions.

    We chose Site 91 because it was at the top of a moderate hill at the end of the road, in an attempt to experience reduced traffic from other campers. The site was a Preferred View site and it did not disappoint! Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing and made for the perfect vista from our RV bed. An added benefit of the Preferred View sites is the privacy since no one is camped behind you. Our particular site even had useful shrubbery on each side to create a quasi sense of privacy between sites. Each site has a nice little fire pit and picnic table, and there was plenty of room for a second vehicle in addition to our van.

    There are plenty of restroom facilities sprinkled throughout so nothing is inconvenient. The restrooms are individual bathrooms with showers that are hot and NOT coin operated, so enjoy a full hair washing session if there’s not a line. The only caution: pincher bugs. Just brush them off and go about your business. But like everything, check the toilet seat and your clothes before proceeding.

    Finally, internet service was great for Verizon. We got 23 Mbps with 3 bars of 4G LTE unboosted, and 69 (!!!) Mbps with 5 bars using a simple MIMO antenna. We live and work in our RV (20’ Class B) full time, so this was crucial. The staff was also great. They were regularly driving by, cleaning or maintaining the grounds. In the end, we will definitely camp here again.

  • cal K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Agua Caliente County Park Campground

    Large campground with lots of amenities

    Lots going on here but felt peaceful midweek in Jan. 3 spring-fed pools, hot showers quarter operated, clean flush toilet bathrooms, water, hiking trails and ample roads to walk the dog on. Mountain lion country - be alert. Friendly rangers. Clean facilities and well-kept grounds. Horseshoe pits and large group picnic areas. Cute cabins for rent - no pets allowed in those. Will definitely visit again. Many of the tent sites are close together - if the campground was full you’d have little privacy but it’s a large place and there were hardly any tent campers when I was there, though more RVs and vans in the hookup section. Tent site 106 is very private. I liked 109 it was in a kind of bird thicket with privacy from the road etc.

  • E
    May. 20, 2019

    Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Stars galore!

    This campground is one of my favorites. My practical side enjoys the clean bathrooms with hot showers and proximity to markets for refills on ice and beer. My adventurous side enjoys the hikes, coyotes singing and clear skies to observe the night sky. This campground has been enjoyable every time I’ve gone. I’ve been to many campgrounds where neighbors keep you up late, but something about this location demands quiet enjoyment. Don’t get me wrong, my friends and I stay up laughing around the campfire well after sunset but everyone seems to respect the quiet hours. The sites are spacious, each with a shade ramada, grill and fire-ring. The visitors center is a must see and there are numerous hiking trails near the campground. As beautiful as the wildflowers are during a super bloom, the crowds are super distracting. March is the best time of year to go, if there is a super bloom you’ll enjoy that, if not, you’ll enjoy the solitude.

  • Deb S.
    May. 13, 2018

    Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park

    Remote yet close to town! Lots of acres, lots of trails, clean bathroomms

    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. The electric hook up camp area to me unfortunately it’s too close to State Route 74 however I have never stayed there so I do not know what the noise is like. It is a nice area though and much better than camping in a trailer park that is filled with concrete. Live Oak is where my husband and I stay and I am not going to tell you the space because it is the most perfect of all. There is plenty of space between most of the campsites. It is quiet And very scenic. Upon arrival they were fliers and signs that warned us to be careful because they were mountain lions in the area. We have stayed there at least a dozen times and have never seen a mountain lion. There are also rattlesnakes and although we have never seen one, a friend who was visiting us so saw one on the road on their way to our site. We have truly enjoyed this campsite and campground. I have an area where they display the history of the area and the animals in the area. Very beautiful view as well up on the hill. Although we have never gone hiking, I hear there are many many trails that are very beautiful. I am disabled but the sides and the showers and bathrooms are very friendly to those who are disabled. This is one of my favorite campground and you don’t need to get on a year in advance to get a reservation! We did have a coyote one night in our campsite in our kitchen area, while we were sitting around the fire. Once we shooed him away, he ran off. Probably why no pets!

  • Pablo L.
    Aug. 29, 2023

    Lake Hemet Campground

    Great Time!

    Visited the last 2 weeks of August. Great place for family and kids. Affordable. Campsite #295. You can fit two 10' x10' canopies to cover the bench table, and fit 2 individual tents (4-6 person) OR a bigger 12p tent however you decide to position it. It has its own Fire pit. Different campgrounds for all chosen methods (Tent, RV, Glamping, etc..) There's restrooms you can use. There's showers you can pay per use. The swim zone isn't too far from this campsite, 5-10 min walk w/ no accessories. If you have little ones, you can take them with a wagon but I'd recommend just driving your car with a few items to the zone. Bring your own shade for this campsite, your own water too. The marketplace is near the entrance BUT they only sell individual waters (No 48 pack types). You'll definitely hear your neighbors snore at night after a long day LOL.. quiet hours are from 10pm - 8am. Overall, this is a great spot. If you're lucky to snag other spots with trees covering you then great but this is still a good campsite. Happy camping! ... Oh yeah, T-Mobile no service up there (apparently Verizon, AT&T do)

  • Matthew D.
    Jun. 26, 2017

    William Heise County Park

    Fire pits too close to eachother

    Stayed in site #73 this past weekend. I wouldn't recommend that spot. It is too close to #74. They are both large spots but the actually fire pits are too close to eachother. Luckily there was a nice family staying next to us so we hardly noticed them. Had they been too loud it could have ruined the trip. Also this spot had very little shade in the afternoon when the sun was the hottest.

    The bathrooms were shut down for maintenance in that loop so they offered portable toilets which got full quick. The hand washing station ran out of water the second day and was never refilled so you had to go back to your site to wash your hands. The running water coming from the spigot was orange and frothy and had a sign saying not to use it for drinking.

    The hiking trail that was near by was the best part. Tons of wildflowers everywhere and beautiful views.

    I probably won't come back to this campground next time I got camping. There are campgrounds closer to San Diego that are have bigger sites.


Guide to Valley Center

Valley Center sits at approximately 1,312 feet elevation in San Diego County with hot summers and mild winters. The area contains several oak-covered campgrounds within a 30-minute drive of local casinos and attractions. Camping options range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces, with many campgrounds offering access to hiking trails or fishing ponds.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Dixon Lake Campground stocks its small pond with fish, offering a convenient option for anglers. "My nephews [love to] fish and play in the dirt. The campsites look really nice and ideal for tents. The walks around the lake are definitely worth doing!" reports one visitor to Dixon Lake Campground.

Hiking nearby trails: William Heise County Park maintains several miles of hiking paths through oak and pine forests. A camper noted, "Great trees, privacy between sites and wild turkeys wandering through the sites." Another visitor to William Heise County Park mentioned it's "Great for hiking, camping" with "Wooded beautiful county campgrounds a couple miles from sweet town of Julian."

Stargazing: Palomar Mountain State Park Campground provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities due to its distance from city lights. "Great campsite for stargazing," writes one reviewer. "The birds are loud, but if you don't care about that they're very fun to watch! The largest critter we saw was a wild turkey," reports another visitor to Palomar Mountain State Park Campground.

What campers like

Secluded sites: Fry Creek Campground offers private camping spots surrounded by dense forest. "Some of the campsites are very private. They all have a fire pit and picnic table. I stayed at site 6. Very spacious, private and off the road," notes one camper. Another visitor to Fry Creek Campground added, "Fry Creek is a great campground that's not far from the city. It's about two miles from the Palomar Observatory."

Cool temperatures: Palomar Mountain State Park Campground sits at higher elevation, providing relief from summer heat. One camper appreciated the "nice weather not too hot in the summer." Another noted, "The campground has lots of trees so there is shade. Camping and picnic areas are clean and well kept."

Clean facilities: Dos Picos County Park maintains well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. "The well-maintained campground boasts paved pads for most sites, making setup a breeze. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, perfect for cozy campfires and outdoor meals," writes a camper at Dos Picos County Park.

What you should know

Seasonal water levels: La Jolla Indian Campground's river experiences significant fluctuation throughout the year. "California is in a drought so the water was very shallow and we couldn't tube in it as planned," reports one camper. Another visitor to La Jolla Indian Campground noted, "The River was small, but the sounds were nice. Weather was great."

Bugs and wildlife: Many campgrounds in the Valley Center region experience seasonal insect activity. "The only issue we had was the BUGS. Definitely prepare for mosquitos and other bloodsuckers while you are here," warns one Fry Creek camper. At Dixon Lake, a visitor cautioned, "BAD yellow jacket problem during this time of month (very aggressive and got into your food/face)."

Reservations required: Most glamping sites near Valley Center fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "This place is County operated. You have to drive to the RV dump to dump. It's close but you don't have the convenience to dump at your site," notes a Dos Picos camper.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Dos Picos County Park provides playground facilities for children. A reviewer shared, "There is also an event gazebo you can rent and a really nice playground." Another visitor highlighted that it's "great for kids and adults."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: William Heise County Park offers chances to spot local wildlife. "Camping here is the best deer and flocks of wild turkey," writes one camper. The park has "spacious campsites" that work well for family groups.

Swimming options: South Carlsbad State Beach Campground provides beach access for families wanting water activities. One camper at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground noted, "The sand is perfect. The waves consistent. The water warmer than normal." Another parent shared, "I've been coming to this campground since I was in diapers, I totally relax when I'm here!"

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Woods Valley Kampground offers full hookups for RVs with clean facilities. "This was a great quick get away for my family and I. The kids all love fishing at the pond on site. Plenty of space between campgrounds. No issues with hook-ups or amenities," reports an RV camper.

Dump station access: Several campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities, though locations vary. A Lilac Oaks visitor notes, "Actually, if you are able to stand a lot of deferred maintenance to the hookups this park is enjoyable." Consider William Heise County Park which offers "Nice hot showers and a great dump station to empty my tanks."

Site selection: Research specific sites before booking glamping in Valley Center. "If you're towing a vehicle it has to be literally towed onto the property. Don't disconnect and go get groceries prior to entering or you'll have to pay $15 a night for the vehicle," warns a South Carlsbad visitor. A Woods Valley camper suggests, "We had a site 30 with partial hookups. We loved the site and the campground. It is a HUGE property buried in forest with tons of sites."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Valley Center, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Valley Center, CA is South Carlsbad State Beach Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 77 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Valley Center, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 55 glamping camping locations near Valley Center, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.