94% (6.5K)
Top-rated campgrounds
94% (6.5K)
Top-rated campgrounds
Camper favorites near San Diego
Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.
Public campgrounds near San Diego
Stories from the community
T.C.
1 week ago
18 ft Class B
Rugged and remote location with lots of space to explore. The old dam is super cool. I spent two nights there and had fun adventures. Hosts are very cool with an interesting backstory. The dirt road is pretty steep in parts, so you gotta know what you're doing with a heavy vehicles.
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Isaac belmontes
2 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
Super awesome place. First time camping with kids and it was very nice experience.
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Jeffrey
3 weeks ago
Tent
A very unique and beautiful spot to pitch your tent. The quiet was deafening, the views amazing. You can watch both the sunrise and sunset from the mountain top. The huge pergola provided space for a large picnic table with benches, a counter with sink and food prep areas plus a stove and propane. Two Adirondack chairs provide front row seats to the surrounding hills and rock formations, with the view extending all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The flush toilet perched on the side of a huge boulder was certainly one, of many elements, that made this spot so unique. Having this mountain top camp spot all to ourselves made this a most memorable experience. One more item, take seriously the 4WD, high clearance vehicle requirement. Thanks Steve for sharing Whiteside Mountain.
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Katherine
3 weeks ago
16 ft car
Easy to find spot, instructions were clear and straightforward. No issues camping for the night!
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Quinn
3 weeks ago
Tent
Lovely spot. Perfect for stargazing!
Just a tip-if you click on the map it will not take you to the correct place but if you directly plug in a ur coordinates, it’s perfect!
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Brandon
3 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
Dante was great host who offered firewood and use of a canoe. This was a first tent camping trip for my two sons and when it was time to pack up, they both said they wish we had an extra night. We all caught a fish. The relaxing sound of the frogs and owls was perfect. Unzipping the tent door to the view of the lake in the morning was awesome. We saw ducks, turtles, egret, along with a few of Dante’s goats. Very peaceful and remote.
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Sean
November 2025
Tent
Such a special place! The creek side spot was soothing and quiet. Just what the doctor ordered! Would love to come back
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Kirby
November 2025
17 ft travel trailer
With pets
Beautiful property. Host Bernie was very kind and had a pleasant stay.
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David
October 2025
Tent
With kids
We loved our night at Carlotta’s place. It all started with a fund ride down off roading (bring a higher car) which the kids loved, then she upgraded us to a bigger site with a decent outhouse. The highlights were definitely the privacy, the swings and the awesome hikes around the property. Would definitely recommend, especially with a nice host like Carlotta!
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Chance
October 2025
With pets
The Little Red Barn is a cozy and comfortable glamping stay located conveniently near Valley Parkway in Escondido, close to shops, restaurants, and great hiking at Elfin Forest. It’s one of three glamping structures on the property. The high ceilings and additional loft mattress make the barn feel spacious, and we appreciated the little touches like electricity, a fan, and a heater for cooler nights. The shared bathroom area was clean, modern, and had reliable hot water — a big plus!
There’s plenty of shared outdoor space with picnic tables, lounge chairs, and seating areas, making it a great place to relax. We didn’t even need to use the heater during our mid-October stay — the weather was perfect.
This spot is a great introduction to camping for those who want the outdoor feel without being too far from the city. Our pup loved exploring the space (though the $50 pet fee is a bit on the higher side). Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, laid-back glamping experience close to town!
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Neil
October 2025
Tent
Great location - less than an hour from San Diego, but you feel much further. Tons of stars at night and we couldn't hear any noise from the other sites. Road in isn't bad if you have some clearance and AWD/4WD. Would happily stay again.
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John
October 2025
16 ft campervan
I had a really peaceful stay and enjoyed the quiet and contemplative environment when I walked around. Thank you for providing great directions, Lexi! I will be coming back sometime soon.
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Michael
October 2025
Tent
Easy to check in. Very peaceful property with super nice people. Being close to the water was awesome and key for a tent camping with nearby cars and other noise getting droned out.
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Mallorie
October 2025
21 ft pop-up camper
With pets
Thank you Bernie and Hoa for the hospitality to our family. We enjoyed the farm and all the animals you showed us. All the recommendations Bernie gave us were very delicious as well. We can’t wait to visit again very soon. Thanks again!
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J
JOY
October 2025
31 ft pop-up camper
With pets
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three days and two nights of pure relaxation — my solo stay couldn’t have been better!
Arriving after dark, Lexi kindly helped me find my way, which immediately made me feel welcome. She responded to every message I sent throughout my stay, making communication effortless and stress-free. The site is private, secure, and peaceful — I could even head into the city and return without a worry.
The hot shower was refreshing, and the flush toilet with toilet paper and hand soap was perfect — clean, convenient, and easy to use. The outdoor kitchen was a great bonus, and my drinks in the community fridge were fully secured. Cooking or just relaxing outdoors in this calm, natural setting felt so grounding. Waking up to earthy scents, the rooster’s crow, and warm sunshine made it easy to slow down and enjoy the moment.
On my second night, I received an invitation to the open mic night — professional talent and friendly people made it truly memorable.
Huge thanks to Lexi for sharing such a welcoming, beautiful space. I left feeling relaxed and grateful — and I’ve already booked my next stay! 🌞🐓🌿
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Jennifer
October 2025
Tent
I would definitely stay there again. Well curated. Loved the outdoor kitchen scene and I swam in the stream every morning as a cold plunge. No wifiin the shady grove area. So go close to the house to make a call.
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Jennifer
October 2025
Tent
Tent camped between two pepper trees. Was lovely. A few minutes walk to a bathroom and outdoor kitchen thst was so fun to cook in. No wofo at the tent space but WiFi near the main house. Did a cold plunge in the stream every morning! Absolutely loved the property and will be back
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Cae
October 2025
Tent
Really beautiful spot with friendly, accommodating hosts. We stayed at the Dam site and felt completely secluded. It was a warm day but the site has a big shaded area so we were very comfortable. There was an outhouse as expected and it even had a nice view. The hosts were kind enough to even leave us water for dousing the fire and a trash can. This is not a glamping situation at all, but it's exactly what we were hoping for and expecting when we booked it! There are many historical sites and features that we didn't have time to check out this time but are looking forward to seeing on the next trip. Only word of caution is that the road really is pretty rough to get in. You definitely need reasonably high clearance and we were glad to have 4WD on the way back out, although you could probably get by with FWD. Normally I think people overstate this in reviews but I really don't think you should try to access this site in a sedan or low-ish crossover. Not a complaint, just a heads up.
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Sophia
October 2025
Tent
Loved this spot! We did combo truck/tent camping and enjoyed a lovely weekend hosted by Carlotta and her 2 dogs. Hollow was the dog to stay with us practically the whole weekend and led us around the property while we explored. She also watched over us at night and had our backs throughout our stay. This is a great spot for beginning campers looking for a step up into a more secluded camp, we recommend bringing friends and enjoying this awesome nature rich spot. We definitely plan on coming back!
P.S. the drive in is a rocky dirt road, we recommend only bringing higher sitting verticales: trucks, jeeps, SUVs, etc.
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Stephanie
October 2025
20 ft toy hauler
With pets
We followed Joel’s directions and easily found where to go. Keep an eye on your upper camper as you travel the long drive. The trees come close in spots. There’s plenty of room. Joel met us when we drove in. He directed us to our spot and gave us information about the area and getting around. It’s right in the middle of town, but you’d never know it. It’s pretty quiet and feels secluded. There are others that live on the property and off the long driveway, but everyone is pleasant and friendly. There’s no street noise. There’s working people around, so you’ll hear neighbors coming and going for work. The ground is all gravel and fairly level. We had water and electric hook-ups. Joel’s dog Gwen patrols the property. She’s friendly, but a little shy. We had our 2 dogs with us and they were allowed to roam the property. We also had our own fencing when we didn’t want them to roam. The property is safe and not gated. Joel warned us about skunks. We smelled them, but never saw them. There are trees around the outside of the property, so not much shade, but the weather is so nice, we didn’t need any. Lots of birds around. There is a bathroom and shower available. We didn’t need them, as we had our camper. Others were using them. We got ants in the camper-not unusually when camping. Joel was friendly and never bothered us. We never felt intruded upon or uncomfortable. Everything is close and lots to do within 25 minutes drive. We’ll come again!
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Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Other options near San Diego
Camping near San Diego guide
Where to go
San Diego and Coronado
Stay close to downtown San Diego at a private camping, glamping, or RV park, like the family-friendly Campland at Mission Bay. Across San Diego Bay, Silver Strand State Beach offers RV sites near Coronado, and further inland, Sweetwater Summit Regional Park has campsites with hookups and an aquatic playground. Stay in a floating cabin, or lakeside tent or RV site at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, or head near the border, where the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park offers campground, yurts, and a diverse ecosystem. For a unique experience, camp overnight in the San Diego Zoo.
Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, and San Clemente
Head north along the coast for endless waves, sandy stretches, and the ultimate beach camping experience, with several public oceanfront camping options. Many beach campgrounds are situated on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and offer great ocean views and water access, along with picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, and camp stores. Options include the popular San Elijo State Beach near Cardiff, South Carlsbad State Beach, San Onofre State State Beach, and San Clemente State Beach. In Oceanside, camp with your RV at Harbor Beach.
Julian
For a camping trip getaway in the mountains, head inland to the gold rush town of Julian. Go hiking and biking along the extensive trail network at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, or play in Lake Cuyamaca, with spacious camping spots at Green Valley and Paso Picacho. William Heise County Park offers tent camping, RV camping, and cabins, while you can enjoy a high desert camping experience at Vallecito County Park. Nearby Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers hundreds of miles of trails, great stargazing, and developed, primitive, and dispersed campsites. For forests and wilderness camping, head north into the Cleveland National Forest.
When to go
San Diego's mild weather and many sunny days make it a year-round destination. It's especially busy over the summer when everyone flocks to the ocean and beaches, and the city hosts numerous festivals. Visit in spring and fall to escape the crowds, but still enjoy nice weather. Spring is also a great time for wildflowers in nearby Coronado, Carlsbad, and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Expect some rain showers and cold ocean water in winter.
Know before you go
- Although San Diego has a public bus and trolley system, you'll want a car to get around easily, especially to venture further up the coast or inland.
- Beach campgrounds are very popular, especially in summer, so book campsites well in advance.
- Be aware of fire restrictions and bans. Some beaches do not allow campfires.
- Bring or rent a wetsuit if you plan on being in the water in winter.
- Pets are prohibited at many San Diego beaches and park trails.