The California State Park system includes several beaches with campsites. The grounds vary in amenities offered, sizes and rules. Whether you are looking for a remote site or a spot close to an urban area, you will find in on the coast of California. These examples run from Southern California to Northern California. Each area includes options for daytime healthy activities within the same park as the campground. The coastline of California contains diverse climates. Check with the California State Parks for weather information and to make camping reservations.
San Elijo Beach
This spot north of San Diego is popular with swimmers, snorkelers and divers who enjoy the nearby reef. Located just off of Highway 101, the beach is backed by bluffs. Some of the over 150 campsites offer uninterrupted views of the ocean. The park has WiFi service and accommodates RVs, campers, trailers and backpack camping.
Pismo Beach
Just north of Los Angeles, Pismo Beach attracts clam diggers, bird watchers and people looking for tent camping on the beach. Close enough to civilization but with undeveloped camp sites, Pismo offers a peaceful beach camping trip with hiking trails and trolleys that take you back to the local communities if you so desire. Four-wheel drive or all terrain vehicles are recommended to reach the beach camp areas.
Carpinteria Beach
Just south of Santa Barbara you can find a mile of sandy beach with camping at the Carpinteria State Beach. Known to be a great place to catch sight of seals and gray whales in winter months, Carpinteria has many tide pools with star fish, sea urchins, crabs and snails. The park offers family and group campsites and accommodates RVs and campers. The surrounding Santa Barbara hills offer numerous trails for mountain bikers and hikers.
Sunset State Beach
South of Santa Cruz is a popular beach camping area in the state park system. Sunset State Beach has 90 campsites for trailers and RVs. The park is surrounded by agriculture and coastal hills for sunset hikes. On the beach you will find pine trees and rocky sand dunes for climbing.
Sonoma Coast
North of San Francisco in the headlands of Sonoma County you can find many beaches collected as the Sonoma Coast State Beach. Seventeen miles of beach stretch below rugged bluffs. Across the many campsites on the beaches, the park offers various levels of amenities and can accommodate varying sizes of camping vehicles. The park also offers some secluded beach inlets for tent camping.
Manchester State Beach
Eighteen thousand feet of coastline and a lighthouse await you in the Manchester State Park in Mendocino County. The beach includes a catch basin for driftwood and is set against grazing pastures for local sheep and cattle herds. Manchester State Beach is also the spot where the San Andreas Fault goes out to the ocean. Camping at Manchester is first come, first served.
Tolowa State Beach
In Northern California near Crescent City you can find a great spot for fishing in a migration stopping spot for ducks, geese and swans. Tolowa has wetlands, a river, dunes and forested bluffs where you can hike. Camping at this site is all year round but for primitive campers only. There are no accommodations for campers or RVs. Nonetheless, check with the state park service for weather and service information before packing your tent.
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