Camping in California Coast
Discover and book the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.
- California Coast
Camping on the California Coast
Pick your camping spot along some 800 miles of Pacific coastline, from Crescent City to San Diego.
Top-rated stays
92%
(84)
SMR Carmel Camping
21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents89 acres · Carmel By The Sea, CAWelcome to Saddle Mountain Ranch, RV and Campground!
We are located on 89 acres of forest land off Carmel Valley Road, just 5 miles from HWY 1. Nestled within oaks, Monterey pines, and redwoods, Saddle Mountain offers a great peaceful getaway for those seeking a break from the bustle of life.
On site seasonally heated pool (Mid May through Oct).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
*Please continue reviewing/monitoring California Travel guidelines as they may change and affect your reservation*
On site seasonally heated pool (seasonally), private hiking trail, playground, Foosball table and more. No refund for inclement weather during the Winter months.
We provide complementary Wi-Fi in designated areas of the park. We ask that there is no streaming at the Park so we can share Wi-Fi with all our guests.
Thank you!
from
$36
/ night
97%
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Babbling Bates Creek Hipcamp
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Soquel, CAEnjoy a leisurely break from your outdoor activities at Soquel Vineyards tasting room and patio just 2 1/2 miles up the road or Bargetto Winery just a mile down the road. You can bring a bottle of your favorite wine or beer back to your campsite where you'll enjoy the peace and tranquility the forest has to offer.
Coastal adventures await you just 2 and 1/2 miles to the beaches in Capitola Village...another mile from there to the 'Hook' surf spot...a short walk from there along the cliffs to famed surf spot and home of Jack O'Neil (RIP) Pleasure Point and the 'Barrel Burrito' at the Point Market, a local favorite.
Enjoy some local craft beer and good eats at Nubo (New Bohemian Brewery) on 41st ave just a couple of blocks from the beach. For that fine dining experience, book a ride in a vintage car to the famed Shadowbrook Restaurant overlooking Capitola Village and beach.
When you're done exploring all that our coastal communities have to offer, come back to your sweet spot along the banks of Bates Creek and take in the wonderful sounds of nature.
Bring your own bedroll, pillow, towels and cooking equipment as well as flashlights and lanterns as this is 'camping' .
This camp is in a rural/residential neighborhood, so you will see homes along the road. It is a one lane road with a 15 mph speed posted and no exit as it ends at the Land of Medicine Buddha...you will hear the cars as they drive by..
Named for Joel Bates who settled in Santa Cruz County in the early 1850's.
In 1861, three Grover brothers and three other men established a lumber company called Grover and Company 2 miles north of Soquel along Bates Creek. The area came to be known as Grovers Gulch.
Bates Creek is one of the areas checked when doing an estimate of the bird population in Santa Cruz County.
Our camp spot is situated adjacent to Bates Creek and has access by a foot trail. As you explore the creek, you'll see many birds, perhaps a coyote or two and some fingerling trout if you're patient and quiet. You will also see fossils in the creek bed which tells a geographical story of the land and its relationship to the sea.
from
$40
/ night
89%
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The Enchanted Forest Retreat
22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents45 acres · CAWelcome to the Enchanted Forest Retreat!We are a meditation retreat center with 45 acres of some of the most gorgeous redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains to enjoy hiking, creeks and small water fall exploration, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, star gazing, relaxation, meditation and more.Our campground has running water from a natural spring, Men and Women's Restrooms each with 2 toilets and 1 hot water shower and plugs for charging phones, laundry shed with sink and hot water, one BBQ grill by the fence up above the creek, and an outdoor amphitheater. We have meditation teaching at the amphitheater and campers are welcomed to attend for free.25 minutes to Silicon Valley - 25 minutes to Santa Cruz Boardwalk we're centrally located in the south bay. Dogs and kids are welcome - dogs must be picked up after and kept on a leash if other campers are present.Please note: This is camping - there may be bugs, critters, dirt, unpredictable weather (pack for the cold, just in case - we get surprise fog often!), early sunrise, no cell data, etc etc. It's not the Hilton - but it is gorgeous. ;)Shopping such as Safeway, Costco and the big box stores are 20 minutes away in Soquel; however, we have a charming little market (Summit Center) 3.5 miles away that has a great selection of groceries, drinks and hot foods, etc.Please feel free to reach out with any questions and we'll help however we can!
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$70
/ night
94%
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Santa Cruz's Rudy Ranch
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Boulder Creek, CAIf you're looking for an ADULTS ONLY, beautiful and quiet place to camp, rest, kick back and hear the birds and wind in the trees, you've found it! While we do enjoy the energy of young children, we live in a very quiet neighborhood and have made the decision to exclusively host mature guests looking for a restful retreat. We have also decided that we will not make exceptions to this decision and invite those looking for a family experience to continue their search on the Hipcamp platform. There are many family friendly hosts excited to accept children of all ages! We ask those interested in enjoying our property with us to read through all of the information we provide prior to requesting to book. Happy HipCamping!
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$80
/ night
94%
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Coyote Mynt Ranch, Paso Robles
5 sites · Lodging, Tents42 acres · CAOur 42 acres is located at the beginning of the award winning Adelaide Wine trail in Paso Robles.
Our ranch was once home to a horse boarding and breeding ranch which bred Paso Fino horses, known for their beautiful gait.
Having been a horse ranch, it left us with some nice trails that you can enjoy during your stay.
We have some nice uphill walks to view your local surroundings while sitting to enjoy a glass of wine or you morning cup of coffee/tea.
We are on a well out here so at times you may get a sulphur/mineral smell to the water.
Please bring your own drinking/cooking water.
It is safe to shower, my hair feels so much thicker!
On the ranch you will see that we have 2 donkeys, Desi (black) and Lucy (light grey).
Along with our donkeys we have to friendly goats, Fiona (brown) and Sadie (white), they love carrots.
but please stick to one carrot a day each, we don't want to over feed them.
We also have chickens which means have farm fresh eggs. $5 for 1/2 dozen.
Up on the hill you will see Connie a cow and her buddy Samuel, the bull. they love carrots but please do not go into their pasture. She'll think you're bringing food and gets very dangerously excited.
Please feel free to walk the property and become one with nature while observing the local indigenous floral and fauna.
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$75
/ night
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Enney's Ranch
4 sites · Lodging850 acres · San Miguel, CAEnney's Ranch is one of the few remaining grain and cattle operations on the Central Coast. We dry farm and malt barley, wheat and rye for local breweries and distilleries. We have a small herd of cattle and rotate them between the fallow fields. Our goal is to maintain the natural beauty of the ranch and share it with you.
from
$85
/ night
98%
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Hartley Farms Organic Orchard
12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents37 acres · San Miguel, CABarbara & Dan bought these 37 acres in 2005. It had no improvements. The only thing it had going for it was a 200-year-old oak tree, and its location in the heart of wine country. We would come up and camp under the tree, and plant. In 2007, we drilled a well. In 2008, Dan proposed under the tree, and we brought in power. We have continued to make improvements since. We built a little house, then we built a big house, we added farm animals, kids, fruit trees, a jam line, a pond, and more keep coming! So come up and enjoy the farm like we did in the good old days! See you at the Farm!Pitch your tent or park your RV on our 37-acre farm. The campground connects to a hiking trail that takes you to a 2-acre landscaped garden, or to our friendly goats & chickens. You are a short drive to local wineries, or downtown nightlife. No power, or showers here, but the outhouse is one of those fancy solar powered deals with running water and a flushing toilet. Add some farm fresh eggs from our chickens, or a jar of our organic jam, and cook up your breakfast, or head in to town for a fresh baked cinnamon roll.
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$45
/ night
94%
(16)
Yosemite Westlake Camp
24 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Coulterville, CALocated on the John Muir Historic route to Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Westlake Campground and RV Park is convenient to all things Yosemite.
Between here and the park is Rainbow Pool, a well-known swimming hole that campers here often visit on their way back to the campground for a refreshing dip in the cool waters.
Coulterville was started as a gold-rush town. You can visit the museum and visitor center even try your hand at panning for gold.
from
$48
/ night
Booked 2 times
Red Tail Ranch
5 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · CAWelcome to Red Tail Ranch (newly listed on Hipcamp), a stunning 90 acre property in the Sierra Nevada foothills, just 25 minutes from the Yosemite entrance gate. Among the oak woodlands, meadows and coniferous forest, there are numerous trails to explore the property and direct riding access to a developed mountain biking area nearby. Great birding, botanizing and wildlife watching opportunities abound. Use Red Tail Ranch as an ideal launching off point for Yosemite or stay on the property and enjoy all that it has to offer.
We are 10 minutes from the small town of Groveland with a market and restaurants and just down the road from the put in for rafting on the Tuolumne river.
Our pricing is a little higher than other places nearby and this is due to the property's great locations, incredible beauty, and all of the amenities added for a great experience.
from
$60
/ night
88%
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Yosemite's Ferretti Farm
5 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Groveland, CANestled at the end of a back street in downtown Groveland is this little gem of a property. We are loving a mistreated 1.3 acre parcel back to health and enjoying meeting some wonderful people in the process.
Check out our different listings to see what fits your needs best.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROPERTY BEFORE REQUESTING TO BOOK. *There is a sneaky question we ask you to give us the answer to when you request to book.*
We are a Hipcamp that caters to SELF-SUFFICIENT campers who have experience and realize that this is a step above what camping REALLY means. If you need a camp host available at all times, this is not the Hipcamp for you, as our host lives on-site and keeps an eye on things, but is not always there.
We are a peaceful place in historic downtown Groveland to enjoy
in your own tent, or in your RV under the same pines and oaks that fill Yosemite National Park.
We are an ever-evolving, 4 year venture on a property that has been mistreated for years and we are loving it back to health on a very limited budget. We are a place that has a super cool, vintage, outdoor kitchen with cold water, and a small propane bbq.
**BRING YOUR OWN PROPANE CYLINDERS, COOK/SERVING/DRINKWARE***
We are a 3-5 minute walk from the public transit system into Yosemite. Check out YARTS dot com online for schedules. WHAT WE ARE:
We are a Hipcamp that caters to SELF-SUFFICIENT campers who have some experience and realize that this is a step above what camping REALLY means. ;)
If you need a camp host available at all times, this is not the Hipcamp for you, as our host lives on-site and keeps an eye on things, but is not always there. We are a peaceful place in historic downtown Groveland to enjoy an experience in your own tent or RV under the same pines and oaks that fill Yosemite National Park that is a short walk from dining/drinking establishments and shopping. We are a place that has a super cool, vintage, outdoor kitchen with cold water, and a small propane bbq available. Campers must supply their own propane cylinders and bbq tools. We are a 3-5 minute walk from the public transit system into Yosemite. Check out YARTS dot com online for schedules.
YARTS Service Update for Spring 2022
Beginning May 16, 2022, service will resume from Sonora, Jamestown, and Groveland in Tuolumne County (Hwy 120 West) assuming that Tioga Road is open. Service will continue into September and October.
For more information, please visit yarts dot com on the web.
*Please note* Passengers are required to sign a liability and personal injury forms that acknowledges risks of infection during the present pandemic, whether or not a mask is worn. These waivers are required regardless, and are intended to document that passengers are aware of the risk to personal health before riding YARTS buses.
We are nestled in the residential area above downtown Groveland and can hear live music when businesses offer it, as well as occasional events that our neighbors host. We are a 4 year old venture on a property that has been mistreated for years and we are loving it back to health on a very limited budget.
Main Street Groveland is just a quick walk down the back streets of the Gold Rush Town. Enjoy dinner and drinks at The Iron Door Saloon, self-proclaimed as the oldest continuously operating saloon this side of the Mississippi. Enjoy the high-end Bourbon Bar and small bites at the Groveland Hotel's Provisions, espresso drinks, smoothies, and treats at Mountain Sage, or authentic Mexican food at Cocina Michiocana. We also encourage guests to take a little drive down Highway 120 to have a cold, craft beer at Around the Horn Brewery and look for our barstool! WE ARE AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE!!!WE ARE AN AWESOME PLACE TO BE!!!
WHAT WE ARE NOT:
We are not a high-end, generously funded campground with brand new furniture, a pristine campfire ring, manicured sites, and marble showers. (Although, we are people who love to visit those places!)
Please let me know you've read this far by telling me how many cigarette smokers are in your group when you send your booking request.
We are not associated with Yosemite National Park and, therefore do not have up to the minute details about what they require or have going on. You can find this information on the National Parks website; nps dot gov. We are not available at all times to answer questions about each site's specifics but have taken a great deal of time putting all of the information into the platform.
We ask our campers to read through the details on each of our sites to find what will best suit your needs.
Happy Hipcamping!!!
Roni Lynn
from
$50
/ night
99%
(505)
Twisselman Ranch
13 sites · Lodging, Tents200 acres · Santa Margarita , CATwisselman ranch is a 6 generation working cattle ranch that has been in the family since the 1800’s. We all enjoy this wonderful place and hope to share our experiences with others.
Voted BEST HIPCAMP Glamping in the United States to visit in 2021 & 2022!! Come Glamping & experience our Rual Retreat here at Twisselman Ranch.
We are located about 1 hour east of Paso Robles California a short drive off highway 58 and about 1.5 hours west of Bakersfield.
Carrisa Plains is known for its beautiful display of wild flowers in the spring time, incredible sunny days, and spectacular wildlife viewing. The ranch is also located a short 29 min drive from the Carrizo Plain National Monument and Las Padres National Forest.
Tule elk, prog horn antelope, and valley quail are just some of the animals you may encounter on our ranch. The pond is full of fish (bass, blue gill & sun perch) so don’t forget your fishing poles (catch & release).
-We have beautiful 2 stall hot water showers, and three stall restroom including handicap stall. **Cleaned & Sanitized DAILY
Our communal kitchen has : a large gas bbq grill, 3 smaller gas grills as well as gas burners & sink. **Cleaned & Sanitized DAILY. There are several counter high prepping tables around the kitchen (please clean up your cooking essentials & food after each meal as everyone shares this space).
Seasonal Wood Burning Fires - Start your stay off right by purchasing a firewood bundle 8-10 pieces of wood perfect for bbq and/or evening campfires.
In summer months we are an ember free site due to high wildfire risks, starting May 1st 2021 - Your $15 per night (additional nights can be payed for upon arrival) rents a propane fire pit, great for roasting s’mores & the ambience of camping. Please do not cook any meals on them. All cooking is to be done in the communal kitchen area.
The summer days can get pretty toasty and the winter nights can get very chilly so check the weather before your stay and plan accordingly. Don’t forget your swim suits as we have soaking troughs for you to cool off in.
-Also please note we are located an hour from the nearest town, no stores or gas stations. Please come fully equipped with your own utensils, cooking essentials, food and beverages. We sell ICE!! $5 per 5lb bag.
We are off grid, there is no electricity, all lights are battery or solar powered. You may want a flashlight or headlamp for walking around at night.
We have recently started selling grass fed beef & jerky, hats & coffee mugs straight from the ranch to our local community & visiting guests. If your interested in purchasing some wholesome delicious beef during your stay please visit Twisselman Ranch . Com be sure to specify in comment at check out that your a guest & if you’d like it during your stay or on departure. All beef is frozen in vacuum sealed bags.
Cellular Service - Verizon is the only dependable steady service out here as we have a Verizon tower on the ranch. All other service is spotty if existent at all.
Check in is anytime after 3pm, but no later than 9pm unless arranged with us (a $20 late fee will apply after 9pm). Check out is 11am on the day of departure.
Instagram @temblormountainpacktrain #temblormountainpacktrain #camptheranch #twisselmanranch
from
$60
/ night
96%
(490)
Camp Arroyo Grande
12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents29 acres · Arroyo Grande, CAWelcome to Camp Arroyo Grande! Come enjoy our sprawling 29-acres that feature beautiful ocean views, peaceful oak woodlands, and plenty of rustic charm. All this is conveniently tucked into the hillside just steps away from the charming village of Arroyo Grande with restaurants and shopping.
Featuring 11 cabins and lodges, in-ground pool, hiking trails with ocean views, meeting facilities, commercial kitchen and outdoor amphitheater, there is something to meet almost any need, from a quiet family get-away to a large group retreat.
The property is also home to many youth groups and non-profits,
continuing a 135-year legacy as a community center and retreat. The historic Tabernacle building has been hosting church and schools gatherings, weddings, family reunions and events since 1897.
Arroyo Grande is a small coastal town with historic, suburban, and rural elements. It is one of the cities on the Central Coast known as the "Five Cities".
Welcome!
from
$35
/ night
Outdoor stays for every style
Find your new favorite spot.
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
From top to bottom, you’ll find varied terrain along the vast Pacific Coast Highway, which offers campers just about everything under the sun (or fog). Whether you prefer the far northern reaches of Redwood National Park or the southern surf beaches, there’s no shortage of camping destinations on the California coast. Campgrounds do fill up, especially in summer months, so it’s best to book well ahead of the season. Marine life includes migrating gray and humpback whales, California sea lions, and myriad bird life. It’s no wonder visitors from all over the world seek out coastal California.
Where to Go
North Coast
The counties of Humboldt, Mendocino, and Sonoma encompass the northern reaches of California’s coastline. Here is where you’ll find rugged bluffs descending to pristine coves, ancient groves of coastal redwoods, historic lighthouses, and cozy towns. The Lost Coast, Sue-meg State Park (formerly Patrick’s Point), and Trinidad State Beach all lie north of Eureka’s Old Town. It’s possible to spot migrating whales and harbor seals at MacKerricher State Park or the nearby Mendocino Headlands. Sonoma Coast State Park begins at Bodega Head with 17 miles of beaches to explore.
San Francisco Bay Area
Surrounding this urban center is a surprising array of options for outdoor lovers. Cross the Golden Gate to the North Bay’s Marin Headlands, Muir Beach, and Muir Woods, all of which fill with campers on weekends. Hike the Tomales Point Trail to see herds of Tule elk, or kayak on Tomales Bay. If you want to camp on the bay near San Francisco, consider Rob Hill Campground above Baker Beach, ferry to Angel Island State Park, or check out a variety of Hipcamps. Follow Highway 1 south for the nearby beach towns of Pacifica and Half Moon Bay.
Stretching between Monterey Bay and Santa Barbara, this lengthy portion of the Pacific coastline includes the coveted regions of Big Sur, Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach—where you may camp among the beach dunes. Start off in the surf mecca of Santa Cruz, which includes a campground at Manresa State Beach. At the southern end, catch a ferry to Channel Islands National Park for walk-in campgrounds and sea kayaking. Be sure to bring binoculars for bird watching and whale watching offshore.
The southern shores between Los Angeles and San Diego are the stuff of California dreamin’. Beachfront campsites claim the most desirable real estate, with surfing, windsurfing, and beachcombing on your doorstep. Heading south from Newport Beach, check out these coastal camping options: Crystal Cove State Park, Doheny State Beach, San Clemente State Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach, and San Elijo State Beach.
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