Camping in California with surfing

Hipcampers are spoiled for choice in California, where landscapes come supersized.

96% (17838 reviews)
96% (17838 reviews)

Popular camping styles for California

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Under $50

12 top campgrounds in California with surfing

96%
(4783)

Jug Handle Creek Farm

20 sites · RVs, Tents33 acres · Caspar, CA
Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center is a nonprofit with a five minute walk to Jug Handle State Reserve, Jug Handle beach and the Ecological Staircase trail. We offer 11 unique campsites with plenty of space and privacy. Each site has two picnic tables, a fire ring, parking for two cars and plenty of space for your tents. We also offer three lovely cabins, which have power and access to a shared kitchen and bathroom with a hot shower. Our 33 acres include a native plant nursery, community gardens, forests, meadows, and nature trails. Our site has lots of nature trails, is peaceful and beautiful and just a 5-minute walk to Jug Handle Beach and the Jug Handle Preserve. Our Mission: We offer a welcoming and supportive environment for people of all backgrounds to explore nature and connect with the natural word. Nature stewardship is central to our non-profit mission and as an organization we are engaged in many nature restoration projects throughout Mendocino County. We also provide a supportive learning environment for nature education for disadvantaged youth during the school year. If you teach k-12 and would like to bring your classroom to Jug Handle contact us about special rates and our immersive nature education programs.
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from 
$40
 / night
86%
(2514)

The Enchanted Forest Retreat

54 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents45 acres · Los Gatos, CA
Welcome 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, laundry shed with sink and hot water, and an outdoor amphitheater, (the kitchen and washer/dryer is Staff Only not for campers). We have meditation teaching at the amphitheater and campers are welcomed to attend for free. 4-6 guests maximum with 1 car included in the nightly rate. Each additional vehicle is $15 per day and will be added at checkout once you add the correct number of vehicles you will be bringing. You can bring a maximum of 2 cars. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a trash service on site, we require all campers to PACK OUT THEIR GARBAGE with them! Pets are $10 per day, 1 pet per group ONLY. Please add this as an extra at the time of booking, you will see the option to add extras once you begin the checkout process. Dogs must be on leash at all times! Quiet hours are 10pm-8am. No drugs of any kind including marijuana allowed. No loud music allowed. This is a private property so no visitors are allowed, only paid guests. Our onsite staff will go around and enforce the rules. NOTICE REGARDING RVs and TRAILERS: While we can not offer hookups, theoretically we have no problem with RVs, the road is steep in a couple of places getting down to the campground and VERY narrow in one spot (10ft). If you feel you're willing to take this risk (we won't be held liable), you're welcome to reach out to us and we can see if the site is good for RV/trailers. Only sites 8, 12 and 5 are good for trailers. No vehicle can drive into Site 7, 9, 10 and 11 (the parking area is separate). Other sites may be ok with small trailers. Check with the host. Any trailer larger than 20ft, take your own risk, there is a narrow point only 9ft wide.
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$80
 / night
99%
(1297)

Finley Camp

13 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Bodega Bay, CA
Finley Camp is nestled along Finley Creek in West Sonoma County. Campsites are located in open flats surrounded by Coast Doug Fir, Alder, and California Bay forests. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit with cooking grate, and access to a porta potty and hand washing station. The campsites are located past the end of the county road allowing for a quiet peaceful experience. Enjoy a quiet stroll on site, the surrounding communities of Bodega, Bodega Bay, Valley Ford, and Tomales, or just enjoy a quiet day in camp. Our sites are located approximately 20 minutes from Bodega Bay. The campsites are 2.5 miles from the coast and the weather can be unpredictable. As a general rule, it is very similar to that of San Francisco. All camp sites are situated in a valley that offers protection from the coastal winds. The have both morning and evening shade. Sites #2, #6, #7, and #11 have the most space, while sites #4, #7, #8, #9 and #11 offer the most privacy. Sites 1-3, any combination of 5-7, and 12-13 are well suited for groups. Other site groupings work well depending on the number of sites being reserved. Site #8 is unique in that it has a wood deck/platform for tents. There are also NO wood fires allowed at site #8 as it is under the tree canopy. A propane firepit is provided for your use. You can bring a 5 gallon propane tank from home, or a full one is available for rent on site. We have beef available for purchase from calves raised exclusively on our ranch. This beef is 100% grass fed and finished and never given grain of any kind. We have various cuts available such as steaks, ground, roasts, ribs, or other various specialty cuts. All beef is cut and wrapped by a USDA certified butcher. It is raised in an organic manner from cows that freely roam on the pastures of the coastal hills we call home. For further information or for a price sheet, please inquire with the camp host. Well behaved dogs are welcome at Finley Camp. All dogs must be kept on leash at all times while on the property. There are no exceptions to this. Finley Camp is located on an active cattle ranch and directly adjacent to a neighboring ranch with cattle. Also be sure to check out our orchard tours. The apples ripen from Late July thru late November. We'll take you to our family orchard where you can pick apples, pears, or blueberries in season and taste yummy treats out of our family garden.
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$95
 / night
98%
(371)

Glamping in the Redwoods 🐶🐕💃🕺🏼

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres · Occidental, CA
Welcome to West Sonoma County Hipcamping in the Redwoods! We are located just a 2-minute drive or a 15-minute walk away from the quaint little hamlet of Occidental, where you'll find terrific restaurants with take-out, and two nice markets (one organic) and a liquor/convenience store. In town, you'll also find a terrific independent local meat market that has been in operation for over 100 years! 25 minutes from the ocean, 20 minutes to the Russian River and kayaking, and 30 minutes from HWY 101 or HWY 1. A perfect stop-over if you are travelling up the coast of California. We have 2 campsites to choose from. (Both are clothing optional. 😉). 1. Treehouse (glamping stay with Hot Tub, Pool and Sauna). Bring your own bedding… We supply fresh fitted top sheets on upscale memory foam mattresses. Full kitchen and bath, gas barbecue, flush toilet and hot water shower. 2. RV/tent site (bring your own camp stove, gas or charcoal barbecue, cooking utensils, tent or RV, and enjoy a Hot Tub and a heated Tiki Tent). Enjoy a real bathroom with a (short) hot shower, sink and toilet. Please see each site description below for more information. Our property is the perfect stopover in Northern California’s Redwoods and wine country. A terrific camp spot to recharge and unwind. Quiet, exclusive, secure, gated, sunny- and in a very friendly and safe forest setting. ⛺️🏕️🌲 NOTE: Although wood campfires are not allowed in our county, we have 2 wonderful gas fire pits for your year-round enjoyment. Both the Treehouse and Vancamp have their own private hot tub and gas fire pit. We are pet-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly! ALL ARE WELCOME 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ Come and experience our little slice of heaven. We look forward to serving up a very fun and relaxing time for you and yours! Please check out our reviews and photos.
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$99
 / night
95%
(251)

Garden by the sea

1 site · TentBolinas, CA
A large flowery lot home of a landscape painter and a musician. Very quiet within one block of cliff-side ocean view. A 15-20 minute walk or a few minute drive to the beach.Pitch your tent in a pretty private flower garden in a charming coastal town less than an hour from San Francisco. The site is surrounded by state and national parks accommodating many recreational activities.We have added an outdoor shower and a place to store surfboards.  Brighton and Wharf Rd. Beach are both good surfing spots.
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$50
 / night
97%
(3237)

Salmon Creek Ranch

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents400 acres · Bodega Bay, CA
Located within 45 minutes of the wine country and 2 miles from the coast, our property is 400 acres of rolling hills and redwood groves, with a creek running along its base. With miles of trails meandering through quiet woods and meadows, you will be able to revel in the tranquility of a private preserve, without sacrificing easy access to some of Sonoma County's most famous attractions. A hundred years ago, this land was used to graze sheep. Remnants of the old fence lines can still be seen in places, along with old cement troughs. Since then, the land has been left to its own devices, passing through many hands, most famously owned by two brothers in the 1980's who built a truly amazing tree house in the forest which has been featured in several magazine articles. It was revamped and updated in 2016 by a master craftsman, using fallen redwood logs found on the property and is now a unique structural work of art, available for overnight stays. We produce 100% grass fed, dry-aged beef on our certified organic pastures and have a store on site if you would like to purchase delicious steaks, ribs, ground beef for hamburgers or some roasts to take home. Our cattle graze on the native grasses, never grain, and drink only water produced from our own springs. We also raise Kiko meat goats and produce pastured, certified organic duck eggs on a commercial basis. Whether it's surfing at sandy beaches, award-winning clam chowder, a wine tour, horseback riding or a hot air balloon ride you're after, you won't have far to drive if you make our ranch your base camp. You may see a family of deer appear suddenly, or a few Scottish Highland cows which we allow to roam freely over the property. There are over twenty species of wild birds that grace this protected spot, so bring your binoculars! A portion of your fee goes towards protecting native flora and fauna as part of our private wildlife preservation program. A limited number of private, widely spaced camp spots are available for visitors. The Eagles' Nest Treehouse (mentioned above) is very isolated and you may or may not even be aware that there are other people within miles of you. For those who value nature, seclusion, quiet and the artistry of old growth redwood, this is the place for you.
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$120
 / night
95%
(452)

DABUDAGE

8 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · CA
A place to stay in southern Big Sur with camp sites and accommodations. Before sending an inquiry please read the listings. Also available as a host your own retreat venue starting at 250 per night
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$60
 / night
86%
(568)

Creekside Camping and Mineral Baths

10 sites · Tents124 acres · Cambria, CA
We can accommodate tent campers or car campers. Each campsite fits 4-6 people. The price is $40/per person. Kids under 12 are free. Most campsites are accessible by car and all campsites are accessible by foot. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a traditional check in procedure. Campsites are first come first serve. Expect a "self-check in process" most of the time. However, there are sometimes people working onsite that you may run into, that are happy to help and lead you in the right direction. You choose your own campsite so plan to arrive early. You can park and walk around. There is signage that says "CAMP" with Arrows. BYO water. We have sulfur spring water. Great for your skin, not good to drink! There's a couple outhouses on the property. One in the main camp zone, one at the far north end of the lower Redwood campsite. You can also bring a shovel and take a walk if you're in the more remote campsites. We have a dumpster outside the gate for your garbage. IMPORTANT INFO Please don't mind our farm junk/tools as you enter Gate 1! We are slowly working on clean up and relocation of materials from the entry road and away from view. Before you arrive, have knowledge of poison oak because it is a native plant. The main photos in the listing are taken from Hipcamp Scouts back in 2018 and they are featuring our Original campsite. This is located past the mineral baths. It's the furthest one to reach, and accessible by foot. I will update photos to depict all the campsites, but please share your photos with us on Instagram and tag @charanspringsfarm to help future campers get a view of what the sites look like with a tent set up! SULFUR MINERAL BATHS Include in your experience the use of our sulfur mineral baths. It's $10 per person. PLEASE BOOK THIS AS AN EXTRA AT CHECKOUT. The mineral baths are 2 funky vintage clawfoot tubs that are pictured in the actual listing.The photos show an accurate description of the Mineral Baths. They are not located in the main camp zone. Please call ahead to book your time slot and get directions to the mineral baths. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF: You are looking for "Glamping," (Glamour Camping). It's primitive camping on a private property with bonuses like the garden, rustic baths, and beautiful nature. This property has been a working farm for decades, which has struggled with hard times. If farm yards/junk piles make you uncomfortable or give you a creepy feeling, don't book because our boneyard is adjacent to the entry road and it can't be ignored. Thank you for reading this whole description and we hope you have a good experience.
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$40
 / night
99%
(1122)

SLO Country Camp

2 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · San Luis Obispo, CA
SLO Country Camp was once a part of the Serpa Ranch, one of the early ranches of the Central Coast. It’s remained a beautiful rural pocket in the Edna Valley area of San Luis Obispo. It’s quiet and peaceful, enjoy your morning coffee listening to all the birds waking up. There’s a private creek not far away that draws deer and wildlife. Just saw 3 deer run through out property 2 days ago. Owls, red tail hawks, eagles, squirrels and jack rabbits we see frequently. And you can listen to the coyotes howling at night. We’re surrounded by rolling coastal hills, vineyards, horses, cattle and also land apportioned to the Land Conservancy. Walk down our road and then left up to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the entire area with the city San Luis Obispo at a distance. Our two sites are flat on decomposed granite pads. Both have excellent views and easy access to our common areas: wash/kitchen prep, and cold-water outdoor shower. Site 1 is best for trailers but Site 2 is adequate. Firewood is available for purchase at camp for those wanting to use the fire pit, or you can bring your own. The San Luis Obispo, Central Coast has so much to see and do! Hiking trails abound, my favorites are Bob Jones trail to walk or bike to Avila Beach, Johnson Ranch and Irish Hills for hiking hills, the Ridge trail for a view over Shell and Avila beaches, and the Harmony Trail to walk grassy cliffs by the ocean. Montano de Oro is only 15 minutes away with rocky ocean cliff trails that lead down to the coastline. We are 5 minutes from the beginning of the Edna Valley winery trail with 30 wineries or more I’ve lost count. Tasting and relaxing in great atmospheres. My favorites are Biddle Ranch, Talley, Mailene, Chamisal, Bailyanna... but there are so many more. We’re 10 minutes from downtown San Luis Obispo, 10–12 minutes to Avila or Pismo beaches. Morro Bay is 25 minutes. And we’re just 5 minutes off the 101 for easy access to traveling. The Central Coast has almost everything for fun, adventure and food. Surfing, biking, hiking, ocean kayaking, paddle boarding, golf, wine and beer culture, ranch lands, shopping and restaurants and we’re close to it all.
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$65
 / night
98%
(246)

Blackberry Farm

5 sites · Tents7 acres · Bolinas, CA
Blackberry Farm sits on the western side of Mount Tamalpais, tucked in the Gospel Flat area of Bolinas. The family farm and residence were established during the late 1970s on the site of the historic Peter’s Dairy Ranch. The original farmhouse dates back to the late 19th century and survived the great 1906 earthquake. Today, the 7-acre farm is being restored to sustainably support fruit orchards, cottage flower and kitchen gardens, honey bees, a boisterous flock of chickens, and naughty shetland sheep. Our self-serve farmstand attached to our barn has seasonal flowers, organic eggs, heirloom fruit, and local goods from the farm. Our property is the perfect rustic getaway for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll be surrounded by farm/ranch life: chickens clucking, roosters crowing, bees buzzing, and sheep bleating. We also have active nighttime wildlife: coyotes howling, raccoons foraging, owls hooting, etc. Bring earplugs if nature sounds are too much for you. We offer 4 walk-in tent sites that allow you to immerse yourself in nature. We welcome well-behaved pets ON LEASH that won’t harass the chickens, cats, sheep, other campers, or residents. Unruly pets and their campers will be asked to leave. No refund. Limit: 1 dog per site. Pitch your tent in a meadow shared by: Campsite 1 - left side of the meadow, closest to the common area and hot tub. Campsite 2 - middle of the meadow, closest to our fenced apiary and bee garden. Campsite 3 - right side of the meadow, near the orchard. (sites 1 and 3 are next to each other) Campsite 4 - front of the pasture, closest to the parking area (best for car/van campers wanting space to lounge near their parked vehicle.) Multiple sites may be booked for group camping. Sites 1 and 3 are next to each other under the Cypress Trees. Add site 2 if you would like the entire back half of the campground. Add site 4 if you'd like to have a maximum number of 16 total campers and 2 tents/per site. The common area has an outdoor shower, hot tub, covered bbq/cook area, tented (weather-protected) hangout space, and a place to stash your surfboard. Redwood Grove hangout areas have seating and tree swings. Please pack out your trash. We offer a recycling bin for glass bottles, cans, and clean paper. Parking is 100 yds or less from the campsites. We have a large wheelbarrow to help you cart your camping gear across the pasture to your campsite. No driving onto or parking in the meadow. Due to the narrow driveway and parking area (lack of turnaround), the site cannot accommodate RVs, trailers, or oversize vehicles beyond 16ft in length, 7ft in width, or 10 ft in height. 1 car per campsite, please. 15-minute walk to the beach and downtown.
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$75
 / night
97%
(339)

Redwood Retreat

3 sites · Lodging2 acres · Crescent City, CA
We acquired the property in 2015, out-competing a logger who wanted to cut the grove for timber. We want the redwood grove to demonstrate to our community, with its long history of forestry, that trees can be commercially valuable preserved in their natural state. You are helping us do that by staying in our woods! As of 2023 more than 80 work-exchange helpers through WWOOF (World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) have labored to help develop the property in exchange for room, board and a hands-on education. Adjacent to the redwood grove is a permaculture farm that supplies a large share of our nutrition. The property is also an overnight stopover for bicycle tourists traveling down highway 101, typically from Seattle or Vancouver to the Mexican border who find us through the website Warmshowers.
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$44
 / night
94%
(358)

Arber-Moore's Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Oak View, CA
Beautiful natural campsites in the Valley of the Moon (Ojai Valley). Our sites are within an eighth of a mile of walking, running, biking, and riding trails from Ojai to the beaches of Ventura. On many days you can experience Ojai’s famous pink moments. You can hike the trails above Ojai, boat, eat, or picnic at Lake Casitas. Travel to nearby Ventura to shop, fish the pier, or take a deep sea fishing charter or Island charter to Whale watch or fish around the Channel Islands. Please note the aerial view of the camping area recently placed by Hipcamp is NOT AT ALL REPRESENTATIVE of the current camping sites and shows a photo that is many years old when the site was merely land. That photo is without any of the existing amenities or improvements. The actual sites are all Larger than Federal Park and Statepark guidelines, with averages of 20'x30' for campsites and 20'x40' for a long RVCampsite. We have planted many young trees and continue to plant trees and native shrubs around and near the sites. We have picnic tables, table coverings, fire pits, and camping rugs/footprints. There is also an outdoor shower, a shower tent with hot water, and an upgraded porta-potty with a sink. Note: During times when high heat is predicted, we strongly recommend that our Hipcampers bring pop-up shade tents or canopies for their sites. The Hipcamp is adjacent to our working ranch, and any photos of old sheds, trucks, a wood lot, or other equipment are NOT on the Hipcamp, but you will drive past that property to get to the separate Hipcamp area. Wineries, Farmer's Markets, Craft Breweries, dispensaries, and more are within 10 to 15 minutes of our site. Our location allows moments when you may see Hawks, Owls, Geese, Swallows, Robins, Bluebirds, and more. We offer both tent and RV camping. The Majority of our Guests love it here: "Vivian and Dave were exceptional hosts! Easy to contact and find our way to their property. Also gave us a plethora of places to go and things to do in the Ojai area. The area was open and spacious, and many trees and upgrades were in the works to make future stays more user-friendly. Big pluses were the shower and toilet facilities—much appreciated !!"
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$69
 / night

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Camping in California with surfing guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping in California! Whether you're a seasoned surfer or just looking to catch some waves, we've got over 1000 options for you to choose from. With campsites like Jug Handle Creek Farm (1479 reviews), Salmon Creek Ranch (1270 reviews), and The Enchanted Forest Retreat (743 reviews), you can trust that you'll have an unforgettable experience. Our campsites offer popular amenities such as showers, potable water, and trash facilities, so you can focus on enjoying the great outdoors. Plus, with prices ranging from as low as $25 to an average of $60 per night, you can find the perfect spot to fit your budget. So grab your surfboard and get ready for an epic camping adventure in beautiful California!

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