Best Campgrounds near Vista, CA

Campgrounds surrounding Vista, California feature a mix of coastal and inland camping options for RV and tent users within a 25-mile radius. South Carlsbad State Beach and San Elijo State Beach provide oceanfront camping along Highway 101, while inland locations like Guajome Regional Park offer a more secluded experience with hiking trails and lake views. The accommodations range from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spots, with several locations also offering cabin rentals. Most established campgrounds in the region provide water and electric hookups, with many featuring full sewer connections for extended stays.

Seasonal considerations impact the camping experience year-round, with coastal campgrounds typically requiring reservations months in advance during summer. Most campgrounds in the area operate throughout the year due to Southern California's mild climate, though winter nights can be cool. Facilities vary significantly between locations, from primitive sites to resort-style amenities with laundry services and camp stores. Many campgrounds provide token-operated showers, clean restrooms, and trash service, with varying degrees of cell coverage depending on location. A visitor noted, "For the price of full hookup in a location so close to the beach, I call it a win. It was beautiful with a pond and walking paths."

Regional parks like Guajome offer an accessible camping experience with proximity to urban amenities while maintaining a natural setting. The campgrounds typically feature fire rings and picnic tables at each site, with firewood often available for purchase. Reviews highlight the convenience of nearby attractions, with Guajome Regional Park frequently mentioned for its family-friendly atmosphere and proximity to Legoland, approximately 25 minutes away. Campers appreciate the walking trails around lakes and ponds at inland sites, though several reviews mention highway noise at some locations. While oceanfront campgrounds receive the highest demand, inland options provide a balance of accessibility and natural surroundings. As one camper described Guajome Regional Park, "It's surprisingly close to everything but yet you feel like you are hours away. There are trails, trees, a little lake."

Best Camping Sites Near Vista, California (242)

    1. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

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

    $50 - $650 / night

    "If you’re headed to San Diego, be sure to stop and check out Carlsbad just off of the 5. this awesome beach town is quintessential Southern California beach awesomeness and it is absolutely gorgeous."

    "One of best beach campgrounds in California. Beach is right there next to camping. Restroom and shower are clean even though too many people there"

    2. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    38 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    12 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."

    "It's classic California beach camping. Spots are fairly close together, and it's more like a parking lot than a campground. That said, the beach is great, and the river mouth is great for surfing."

    3. Guajome Regional Park

    19 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 724-4489

    $29 - $35 / night

    "For the price of full hook up ($35) in a location so close to the beach, I call it a win. It was beautiful with a pond and walking paths. There were many dogs and we saw horses on the paths too."

    "Flush toilets available and a nice nature walk around a lake. The park was a great/affordable base camp for nearby Legoland amusement park."

    4. Dixon Lake Campground

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

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Dixon lake is a perfect spot for my nephews 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!"

    "I grew up in Oceanside and people talked about camping at Dixon lake in Escondido and I thought it was lame and not “real” camping. Having never been there, I based this off nothing."

    5. Oceanside RV Resort

    15 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 864-2728

    "Overall liked this rv park, close to town for us to explore all the restaurants close by. Beach is a 5-10 minute walk. Staff was friendly ask for Diana sweetheart."

    "After circling back and now coming from the east, the narrow drive with the street light and curb wasn't enough for us to turn...so backed it up and went to the wider entrance down the street."

    6. Paradise By The Sea RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Oceanside, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 439-1376

    "The campground is situated very close to the beach and has all the amenities to make life easier.  I was very impressed with the level of security at this campground to include day and night patrols,"

    "Love how there was so much to do on the grounds and around. They had an indoor rec room with billiards, shuffle board and more.

    Outdoor rec area with corn hole, picnic area and more."

    7. Escondido RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 239-5273

    "Location near I-15 and Gas stations. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups. Fill propane avaible. Resort-style amenities. Heated outdoor Pool. Nice dog park. Access to a park for walking."

    "The site itself is simply stunning, nestled in a peaceful and beautiful location that provided the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway."

    8. Del Mar Beach Cottages

    10 Reviews
    Encinitas, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 725-4640

    $35 - $65 / night

    "The campsites are small but it is clean and family friendly also located right on a big beautiful beach. You must have a military ID to camp here, you can have alcohol on the beach but no glass."

    "But being that close to the ocean was wonderful! You just can’t beat falling asleep to ocean waves!"

    9. Dos Picos County Park

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

    $24 - $100 / night

    "The creek eventually flows into a pond located on the other end of the campground. The pond is actually pretty large! Lots of space to walk around and explore."

    "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."

    10. San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach

    53 Reviews
    San Clemente, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (949) 492-4872

    $45 - $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."

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Recent Reviews near Vista, CA

1552 Reviews of 242 Vista Campgrounds


  • Stephanie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Roadside Pulloff in Pine Valley

    Pine Valley, CA Roadside Pulloff

    Beautiful spot to pull over and car camp! T-mobile had 3 bars with 5G. No amenities (other than a picnic table), so pack out what you pack in. The location was just a pull off, not a full on camp site. There are hiking trails nearby (Cottonwood Creek Trail is the closest). The spot overlooks the mountains and the valley. Quiet spot with few cars stopping by for sunset, but that was it.

  • Emily L.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Crane Lakeside Mobile Home Park & RV Resort

    Horrible experience!

    Came to this park to relax, and was was kept awake all night by the sound of several cats fighting outside. Why wouldn't management do something about the stray cats? Just to see this many cats makes this park feel urban or ghetto. Great park if you don't need to sleep...

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Oak Grove Campground

    Quiet, small and dark... simple camping.

    A great little hidden site with not much to offer but stargazing, fresh air and nice campers. My 2nd trailer camping trip was 1 night and it was awesome, plenty of stars and the Milky Way was so clear... years since I've seen it. Non hook ups but there is water throughout the grounds, plenty of wildlife birds, I had a bluejay sing for me all day. Clean restrooms... and red ants. Loved my space so I'll be getting it again.

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Dos Picos County Park

    A family fun zone site.

    Nice site I stayed 1 night with W/E hook ups, my first time with my new camper trailer. It was ok, trailer spaces were tight but have plenty of tall trees, not much privacy. My space was next to a rec center to have a security light on all night, more stars than the city and the moon looked good in my telescope. Overall decent site, didn't have time to enjoy the hike, fishing or park.

  • s
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Open Desert Fun

    October 4th stay was new to me, my 3rd trailer camping trip from San Diego. It was nice and warm at arrival and cool by the moonlit night with the gnats going away until morning. No one was next to me so I had it good, most were tent camper and quiet by 10pm... great views. Shack guard was nice and helpful... I liked this site.

  • Karen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    San Clemente State Beach Campground

    Ant Infestation !

    If they would simply notify campers upon check in of the SIGNIFICANT SEASONAL ANT INFESTATION, it could have alleviated us waking up with ants crawling on our faces in the morning. They sell diatomaceous earth for $10. And we carry it already, but all we could do was go to WAR with the ants to contain the outbreak in our camper. BTW, we carry NO food inside the camper. Had to go to 2 hardware stores to get supplies and spend significant time eradicating only 95%. SO Disappointed. Our site was near a “coyote corridor”, so maybe why we didn’t have so many squirrels! Ha Ha!

  • C
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Granite Springs

    Little Known Gem

    Primitive camp site with chemical bathrooms. Has 3 areas to set up tents. First come first serve, but you must check in at the ranger station before you go. $5 per camper. We comfortably fit 3 tents on one site.

  • M
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Mission Bay RV Resort

    Trashy park

    Several issues here. First the most obvious the connections are at the front of the space on the drivers side. If you back in you better have 100 feet of hose sewer and power cord. Reservations failed to tell me while on the phone that the power was out but they’re still charging full price. Most of the lots are dusty dirt lots well over half of the park is not in use and in disrepair. There is trash everywhere and the staff could care less if you’re enjoying yourself. Do yourself a favor and spend the 20 extra dollars to stay at Campland Overall a waste of money and beach front property

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Sweetwater Summit Regional Park

    Great camp

    Close to the city, camp is clean and staff is friendly and helpful.

    Showers were clean, and partial hookups are only $35 a night. Cheapest I've found in California.


Guide to Vista

Located within a mild Mediterranean climate zone, Vista camping options benefit from year-round average temperatures between 55°F and 75°F, making overnight stays comfortable in all seasons. The terrain transitions from coastal flatlands to inland hills with elevations ranging from sea level to 600 feet. Campgrounds in this area offer unique proximity to both ocean activities and inland adventures, often within a 30-minute drive of each other.

What to do

Surf at local beaches: Campers staying at San Elijo State Beach Campground can access premier surfing spots. "This is my favorite surf campground in Cali. From Swamis to the north and Cardiff Reef at the south end," notes Rick O. The surf conditions are generally best in the mornings before the afternoon winds pick up.

Hiking near camp: Several campgrounds feature trail systems for day hikes without needing to drive elsewhere. At San Mateo Campground, visitors enjoy a "1.5 mile hiking/biking trail to the beach. It's a little hilly so be warned if you're going with children or elderly," mentions Chanel C. The trail connects to additional paths for longer excursions.

Fishing opportunities: Dixon Lake Campground offers fishing without requiring a California fishing license. "No CA fishing license needed! Just the lake permit of $7 per adult. Big fish in this lake," explains one reviewer. The lake is regularly stocked with trout during cooler months and holds bass year-round.

What campers like

Private campsites: Many reviewers appreciate campsites with vegetation barriers. At Guajome Regional Park, "the sites are spaced well and you are not camped right on top of your neighbor," according to Diane H. Site selection matters significantly for privacy levels.

Clean facilities: Campground bathrooms receive consistent mentions in reviews. "Dixon lake campground is a perfect campground for newbies who want to experience the outdoors, but don't want to sacrifice the simple comforts of life. Super clean showers that are FREE!" reports Chanel C., highlighting an uncommon amenity in the region.

Beach access: Paradise By The Sea RV Resort offers a unique beach entrance. "The RV park has its own back gate to the beach. It meanders through a little city park and then you can take the roads to find little beach access," explains Julia M. Many campers value this direct access without needing to relocate vehicles.

What you should know

Train noise levels: Several oceanside campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At San Elijo State Beach, "Campground is situated next to the highway and train tracks. No shade. Friendly beach crowd," explains Tim J. Campers frequently recommend sites furthest from the tracks or bringing earplugs for light sleepers.

Reservation challenges: Securing campsites requires planning months ahead. "The worst part is trying to get a spot secured," notes Jonathan G. about San Elijo. Coastal sites typically book 6 months in advance for summer weekends, while inland options like Dos Picos County Park often have availability within 2-3 months.

Wildlife considerations: Some campgrounds report significant wildlife interactions. At Dixon Lake, one camper warned about "BAD yellow jacket problem during this time of month (very aggressive and got into your food/face)" and "Critters heard roaming around campsite at night (either a raccoon or coyote came within 5 feet of our tent while we were sleeping)."

Tips for camping with families

Playgrounds and recreation: Guajome Regional Park offers excellent facilities for children. "Right outside our tent was a playground for the kids," mentions Jacob S. The park also features "a huge, awesome, covered playground" according to Ashley C., providing shade during hot days.

Beach camping alternatives: For military families, Del Mar Beach Cottages provides beachfront access. "This is such an awesome set up for military families. We stayed here in March, and there was almost nobody else there," notes Jacob S. The gentle beach slope makes it appropriate for children.

Legoland proximity: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for Legoland visits. Guajome Regional Park is "a great/affordable base camp for nearby Legoland amusement park," according to Brian C., with approximately a 25-minute drive to the attraction.

Tips from RVers

Hook-up options: South Carlsbad State Beach offers choices based on your needs. "Pick a spot - $75 gets you on the bluff with hookups $50 gets you on the bluff but no hookups $35 gets you on the other side," explains Tom H. Water quality varies between campgrounds, with many recommending filters.

Site accessibility: Escondido RV Resort provides pull-through options for larger rigs but presents challenges. "The park is hilly. They didn't give us the right spot we needed when we made our reservations," cautions Elaine R. RVers recommend calling ahead to verify site dimensions and grade.

Parking regulations: Some campgrounds have strict policies about towed vehicles. "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 once you enter," warns a South Carlsbad State Beach reviewer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping spots in Vista, CA?

While Vista itself has limited camping options, several excellent campgrounds are located within a 30-minute drive. Guajome Regional Park offers drive-in sites with water and toilet facilities just northwest of Vista. For breathtaking ocean views, South Carlsbad State Beach Campground provides quintessential Southern California beach camping with access to local shops and restaurants. Both locations are reservable and make perfect basecamps for exploring the Vista area and surrounding San Diego County attractions.

What tent camping options are available in Vista?

Tent campers visiting Vista can find several nature-rich options in the surrounding area. Dixon Lake Campground in nearby Escondido offers tent-friendly sites with water and toilet facilities. For those willing to venture a bit further, Green Valley Campground in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park provides a more immersive outdoor experience with access to hiking trails and seasonal waterfalls. Most tent sites in the region require reservations, especially during peak seasons, so booking in advance is recommended.

Are there RV parks or campgrounds in Vista, California?

RV enthusiasts visiting Vista have several nearby options. Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay offers resort-style amenities including a pool, playground, and full hookup concrete sites that accommodate large rigs. It's conveniently located near I-5 with propane fill available onsite. Another excellent option is Pechanga RV Resort, featuring newer facilities within walking distance to restaurants, a casino, golf course, and only a short drive to Southern California wine country. Both locations provide comfortable bases for exploring Vista and surrounding areas.