Sunshine, beaches, adventure
This is a very family friendly campground, kids everywhere scooters, bicycles. Friendly staff. Beautiful estuaries with wildlife. Great place to spend time with family.
Site69
Month of VisitJune
Great location
Tucked in among trees and only a 5minute walk to the beach: it’s the best of both worlds. Nice clean bathrooms and showers. Plus a place to wash dishes! We love camping here and will come back every year.
Slamming Doors
Tent site C74 didn’t have much of a level setup site and was right across from the bathroom. We heard slamming doors all night. This particular site was practically on-top of the adjacent site. Good things is the proximity to the bathroom if you don’t mind the slamming doors. It was also close to the trashcans. We came in late and left early so we didn’t experience much of the park but it appeared well maintained and well traveled. Campsite was full so reservations are probably needed.
A bit expensive for the services offered
The sites are tight, it most are in the area to be out exploring all day. Many services, but the showers were down while we were there and no fire due to the area being in a State Park. Ultimately this felt like dispersed camping due to many services being out.
Sweet spot, surprised to find summer availability
Great site! We found availability on the spot in early June Monday-Thursday. Hot showers $.25/min. Nice sites. $35/ night for tent or RV spots with flush toilets and hot showers. $20/night for the rugged area with no showers and outhouses. Both areas have faucets. Each spot has fire pit and picnic table and a nice wide parking spot. Nearby trails lead to beach. Dog friendly campsite, no extra fee. Trails not dog friendly, neither is the closest beach but there’s 5 miles of dog friendly beaches just north.
Primitive Back Loop is Quiet, But Not Much Privacy
When I stayed at San Simeon State Park, the campground loop closer to the road (San Simeon Creek Loop) was full, so I ended up in the more primitive Washburn Loop. I switched spots from my initial camping spot for one along the back. It was by the pit toilets, which actually weren't bad. It had a nice fire pit and my site overlooked the mountains to the east. I could get to hiking trails from my site, which was nice. Campsites are with short grass. No showers. (I believe there are showers in the developed loop closer to the ocean.) Still, this was pretty quiet, despite the lack of privacy.
Month of VisitJune
Nice simple site
Wife, daughter and I stumbled on this site while heading south on 1. They had plenty of open sites and allowed dogs. For $20, can’t beat it.
Open space with few tree. I assume it get hot in summer.
My wife say five stars, but I will rate it a 4 in case someone comes for summer.
Great stop when hwy 1 was closed
Nice sites with tables and fire pits. We were able to get a spot same day so some parts of the year it’s pretty mellow out there next time would go with the primitive sites. Close walk to beach and short drove to elephant seals. Right next to Hearst castle if visiting
Biking and Camping
Have stayed here a couple of times in the primitive sites. They usually book up quite a bit in advance as a short walk provides beach access. Very easy access to Hwy 1 if you like to bike as well. Sites are a bit close together and one night I stayed there was a group that was pretty loud past quiet time. Havent stayed at the sites with hookups closer to the beach. Restrooms are VERY clean and well stocked for a CA state campground.
Washburn Campground at San Simeon State Park
Washburn Campground at San Simeon State Park
The Washburn Campground at San Simeon State Park is our go-to campground for quick and easy camping in Central California. My boyfriend and I met at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and love visiting SLO and the surrounding areas. If we don’t want to pay to stay at a hotel and can’t crash with some friends, we like to set up our base-camp at Washburn, the primitive campground within San Simeon State Park. SSSP does have full campsites with hookups on its Creek Campground, but we prefer the views and the star gazing at the primitive Washburn sites - Washburn is on the top of a hill, with beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding hillsides and mountains. The fees for the primitive Washburn sites are $18 per night, versus $35 per night for the full campsites in the Creek Campground.
San Simeon State Park is easy to get to, as its right off Highway 1. You can make a reservation ahead of time, but you cannot select a specific site until you arrive. The ranger will ask you to go check out the campgrounds, and compile a list of site numbers that you are interested in. Once you return, they will go over the list with you and if one that you like is available, that site is yours.
Each primitive campsite has a fire ring and a bench, and there are pit toilets available. These are the nicest pit toilets I have seen anywhere. There are water spigots in Washburn, which have had running water for the last year or so; the water had previously been shut off due to the drastic drought. I believe there are plumbed toilets in the lower Creek Campgrounds, but we have yet to go down and confirm that.
Some sites are on the perimeter of the Washburn are more barren, but most sites have trees for some shade. Because you are right by the ocean, it can get pretty cold at night. Each site has a picnic bench and a fire pit - I can’t recall if the fire pits have grates. We generally do not cook while we camp at Washburn, as we usually pick something up in the nearby cities. Sebastian’s Store in San Simeon has GREAT burgers and various barbecue sandwiches. There is also a Hearst Ranch wine tasting room in the same shared building that sells frozen steaks from Hearst Ranch - great quality steaks, if you will be camping for a couple nights I suggest getting some Hearst steaks to cook while you are there.
There is a great new-ish restaurant and bar called Centrally Grown just down the road on Highway 1. This place has great, locally sourced food, and a good bar. We have been there for dinner, breakfast, and just for drinks, and have always had a great experience - the view from the upstairs restaurant is GORGEOUS. Centrally Grown is part of what looks like a compound called Off The Grid - it has a Bed and Breakfast, some goats and chickens, an event space for bands, and a very very interesting garden. Even if you want to just stop in for a coffee or pastry, I think Off The Grid is worth seeing - we like sitting in the garden with coffee.
I am a rock hound and Central California beaches have some reach rocks! To the North is Big Sur, so small jade can be found. There are moonstones from Cambria, and lots of agate and quartz.
The small town of Harmony (literally - it has a population of 18) is worth the visit - there is a lot of local art to be seen and purchased there at the hand blown glass shop and the pottery shop. There is also a winery and ice cream.
The elephant seals are always fun to go watch, and individuals can sometimes be seen on San Simeon beach. This beach is open to the public, and the seals are not behind any barriers as they are at the rookery. If you see a seal on the beach, give him lots of space and don’t harass him - elephant seals are huge animals, and are quicker than you’d think.
The Firestone Walker Brewery is in nearby Paso Robles - if you like beer, the tour is super interesting, and they have a tap room and store. The tap room restaurant is very good.
CAMPSITE SPECS
Fees: $20/night (primitive site fee)
Plumbed Toilets: No - pit
Drinking Water: Yes
Showers: No
Picnic Table: Yes
Firepit: Yes
Cooking Grate: Yes
Shade: Yes
Cell Service: Limited
Animal Bins/Food lockers: No
Trash: Yes
Beautiful Area.
No hook ups. Bathrooms ok. No cell or WiFi unless you go park by Park Entrance Ranger office and you get a weak signal. Easy Access to beach. San Simeon town just 5 min away.
Grass all dead. Many ground squirrels who come right up to you and beg for treats. Some noise from highway. Country is beautiful
Beautiful Country
The drive along the coast to the campground takes you through beautiful countryside. The hike and bike area is set away from the RV areas and near the highway. Still, at night the highway noise is not noticeable. Be sure to keep you food and small items secure and out of reach of the local racoons.
SiteHike and Bike
Month of VisitMay
Small, but good location
It's a small campsite for the same price as others, but a good location while traveling down Pacific Coast Highway. I've always wanted to camp there, but was a bit disappointed in the actual site that we got. It barely fits two cars and barely enough room for one maybe two tents. They are all close to each other, which is not very comfortable , but there are trees/bushes for shade some and privacy. It is really close to Hearst Castle, elephant seals and a great beach for the kids to play in all day. I would stay there again if I was traveling down PCH, but wouldn't go out of my way to stay there just to go camping.
Castle and Sea
This is a quaint campsite along California’s Central Coast. Not a lot at the site but in great proximity to Hearst Castle, elephant seals, zebras (no joke) and cute towns.
calif coast camping
this was my first time camping in this area. I made a reservation as it was late June. camped in lower campground. no hookups here but was able to walk out to beach from our site. lots of trees in the sites and bathrooms clean
Nice little spot
The rangers were very friendly. The tent spaces are pretty close together. Finding a shower in the morning is nearly impossible. The bathrooms are not clean and there is no light. It does have beach access and lots of trees. There are also ground squirrels that will be up rustling around all night. They are pretty cute during the day though. Not a bad campground for the price.
Great access to the Hearst Castle
Enjoyed this campground! You can walk to the beach from the campgrounds. The restrooms were fine and there are showers available. Great campground for kids to bike around. It's close to the Hearst Castle. The park ranger gave us a great tip to see the Elephant Seals....what a great experience for all, adults and kids alike.
Month of VisitJune
Amazing views from the Washburn campground
I spent the last 5 days at the Washburn campground and it is an amazing place to stay.
The park is right off of highway 1. The campground is about 2 miles east of the entrance and about 200 feet above sea level.
The Salmon Creek Trail in the Los Padres National Forest is about 15 miles north, right before the area that was closed due to the landslides. I’ve included photos of that as well.
The views that can been seen from the campsites are incredible. Take a look at the photos.
THINGS TO KNOW
You can make reservations online, but you cannot reserve a specific site, it is first come, first serve.
Check-in is at 2 pm, but they normally will let people in earlier, checkout is at 2PM.
The cost is $20.00 a night. This includes one vehicle per site, you can pay an extra $10 a night for an additional vehicle.
Dogs are allowed in the campground, but they must be on a leash at all times.
It is one vehicle per site, you can pay an extra $10 a night for an additional vehicle.
The Washburn sites are primitive, basically there are water spigots every few sItes and pit toilets. The rangers come by every morning and clean them, so they are not too bad.
There is a trailhead that leads to two different trails at the entrance to the campground. Both are nice, but dogs are not allowed on the trails.
Popular park
Close to the beach within walking distance. Showers and restrooms not chemis . No hookups last time I was there both RV & tent camping .
Month of VisitOctober
Beaches, Elephant Seals, and opulence
This is the closest developed campground to Hearst Castle on the south side of “The Slide” (they hope to have Hwy 1 reopened this fall). Its also close to the Elephant Seal beaches (the young adults were moltIng when I visIted). This is a nice campground with three loops/camping areas, none of which is tent only, although there is a section next to the road that is tent only (while that gives these tents the closest access to the the tunnel to the beach, it also means lots of Hwy 1 traffic noise). Try and get a site along San Simeon Creek (sites 114, 72, and 70 are nice, and you can hang a hammock). The bathrooms and showers are clean. If a view and access to hiking trails are important, head all the way back to the Primitive Campground. SItes have a slightly bigger footprint, there is a great view of the ocean from several sites and there is access to the San Simeon Trail. There is also a footpath leading to the boardwalk and trail to the beach.
Great views. Space enough neighbors aren't on top of you.
Hiking trails, firewood available in park. Had a great time. Close to Hearst Castle.
Month of VisitApril
Try Washburn Campground
Washburn is the primitive campground behind San Simeon Creek Campground. You can save some money and stay here if you don't need hook-ups. It is great and has fairly level sites with plenty of tent space. There are a lot of birds/squirrels so make sure not to leave food out.
My Camping Trip
I was just driving down Hwy 1 on a Monday Afternoon. Then As I Was Looking To See How Many Miles From Cambria, Ca to San Simeon Park, Ca it was I notice the Big Brown Sign Along The Hwy And It Said Next Right To Camp. Cool We Pulled In And Seen It Was Beautiful. So We Stayed For 3 Nights. Big Campsite Areas.
SiteSite # 50
Month of VisitApril
Peaceful
This primitive but serene campground is right off Pacific Coast Highway. It's just past the quaint town of Cambria and before Hearst Castle. Also nearby is the Elephant Seal overlook and a lighthouse, Piedras Blancas. The sites are large with lots of trees for shade. There's a picnic table and a fire ring. This a large campground with several loops but once at your site, you feel alone in nature. Beautiful site to stay at, although we did have a nighttime visit of a skunk.
Month of VisitOctober
Excellent campground
Spent 4 days at this campground. It is a wonderful place to visit. The individual site are large to allow multiple tents and still have room to get around. Wonderful hiking trails and close access to the beach.
SiteWashburn 234
Month of VisitJune
Perfect.
Right off highway 1. It's cheap and you can hear the ocean from your campsite. You can see the ocean from some of the sites. Campsites are open and clean. Great views from all around this area. Just perfect.
