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Camping near Santa Barbara, California

With a temperate climate, gorgeous shoreline, and incredible camping, this city earns its "American Riviera" reputation.

93% (13282 reviews)

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12 top campgrounds near Santa Barbara

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Cuyama Badlands

25 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents164 acres · Cuyama, Santa Barbara
If you've ever wondered what it might be like to camp on the moon, this is it. Completely removed from civilization and surrounded by a barren nature that is alive with the subtle presence of the universe. Seasonally, Spring wildflowers burst across the landscape. Cave paintings of Chumash Indians remind us of those who lived before us. This is where the deer and the antelope play.  Our Carrizo Camp is surrounded by the Carrizo Plains National Monument. This is truly a get away from it all camping. The preconfigured trailer will sleep two and the site is provided with water and fresh bedding for each booking. That's it. You, the coyotes and your own private moon. Our Songdog Camps are sparsely scattered atop a 200 foot mesa that looks west over a valley offering stunning desert sunsets. Our Lodge, Ranch House and Glampsites are available on occasion. This is our home but we love to share our life in the outback. We believe it will give you a better appreciation of life's simpler side. There are two sites where RVs are welcome.  This land was sparsely populated by the Chumash Indian and is evident by the numerous cave painting that remain here in the Caliente mountain. In the era of the California Missions, this land was a part of the Spanish land grants. Currently the property is privately owned and is adjacent to large sections of publicly held lands.
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$40
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96%
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Camp Arroyo Grande

21 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents29 acres · Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo
Welcome to Camp Arroyo Grande! Enjoy our 29-acres that feature beautiful ocean views, oak woodlands, and plenty of rustic charm. All this is conveniently tucked into the hillside just steps away from the Village of Arroyo Grande where you will find restaurants, coffee, shopping, parks and roosters. The property is home to many youth groups and local non-profits, continuing a 135-year legacy as a Community Center and Retreat Space. The historic Tabernacle building has been hosting church and schools gatherings, dinners, fundraisers, weddings, family reunions, festivals and more since 1897. Community Events are likely to be taking place but follow quiet time guidelines. *pool is seasonal and subject to availability
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$35
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A Unique Mountain Retreat

10 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Tehachapi, Kern
A Unique Mountain Retreat that is off the grid, that says it all.  An energy efficient Unique designed home that has a very green footprint with solar and windmill to charge green rated salt water batteries. Oak and pine tree covered acres with fitness and nature trails around entire property. Each campsite is designed for privacy with plenty of distance between sites and a picnic table at every site along with an optional gas fire pit. You will have a level camping area with picnic table surrounded by trees with mountain views in every direction, there is plenty of clean, non potable drinking water, porta potty, limited electrical use, cell phone charging and low power use devices as I am off grid, parking is a few minutes walk from camp site. There is a fitness and nature trail on the property and Pacific Crest trail is approx 20 to 30 min drive, Mountain park which has many miles of hiking trails and an Indian reservation with hikes to many petroglphs. Things to see are the World famous Tehachapi railway loop, historic downtown, vineyards, mountain spirit center a buddhist temple, glider rides, bicycle riding and fishing. Gas Log Fire Pit available in extra's. BBQ with pot burner, plus cooking utensils available in extra's. Hot outdoor showers, plus towels now available.
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$45
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100%
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Sky View Ranch

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Tehachapi, Kern
Welcome to Sky View Ranch a private and secluded place to unplug getaway and relax. Embrace the liberating feeling of fleeing the hustle and bustle of the city to the tranquil countryside. Come enjoy the 360° mountain views as well as the Tehachapi town lights. By day you may see eagles, deers, cows, and by night you can enjoy the brilliant stars and even shooting stars if you're lucky. Sky View Ranch offers something to do for the whole family. The parents can enjoy the outdoor bar and kitchen while the children can enjoy the kids park. No matter where you find yourself, park your RV or pitch your tent you are guaranteed a spectacular view. You can hike, go for walks, witness the beautiful sunrise and sunset. You'll have access to our beautiful stringlight picnic area where can enjoy the 3 hole golf course with town and mountain views. The ranch offers the feeling that you're very far away though town is only a 6 minute drive to stores and restaurants, Tehachapi historic downtown, and glider port. Note: We recommend checking the 10 day forecast for high winds before booking.
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$60
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Malibu RV

170 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Malibu, Los Angeles
Malibu RV is set on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California. Founded in the 1970s, Malibu RV offers RV Sites and Tent Camping, a communal ambiance, and a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of your travels along the California Coast.Whether you are a digital nomad, a surfer looking to shack up for the night, or an adventurer looking for an extended stay, we would love to have you.
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$45
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99%
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Spirit Walk - Private Retreat

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Wofford Heights, Kern
Private ADULT ONLY camping. With a central outdoor kitchen and dining area, group fire pit, & a bathroom with a composting toilet, sink, & shower. Seasonal creek. Quiet and private. We have a small cabin (The Playhouse) and 15 campsites. No Pets, No Smoking ADULTS ONLY. Spirit Walk is a quiet meditative place. It is not a conducive environment for young children. Thank you for understanding. Lake Isabella, the Kern River and historic Kernville are just 5 minutes down the road. All Hipcamp proceeds go directly back into the land in the way of forest maintenance, a tree planting program and improvements to the facilities.
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$55
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67%
(3)

Pismo Sands RV Resort

83 sites · RVs12 acres · Oceano, San Luis Obispo
Off the beaten path, yet near the beach, the caves, kayaking, shell-collecting, surfing, fishing, and all the reasons you come to California’s Central Coast. It’s beautiful here. It’s natural. And it’s just perfect for you. Come in your RV and stay as long as you like – you don’t have to leave!Conveniently located near the Halcyon Road exit of US 101, Pismo Sands RV Resort offers 133-level, paved, full hook-up sites with 20/30/50 amp electric. Our pull-thru and back-in sites will accommodate RVs of up to 40 feet in length. FREE WiFi and cable TV are available at every site.Pismo Sands RV Resort also features four fully-equipped vacation cottages for 4-6 folks who want the resort experience without the RV. These cottages are roomy and fully furnished. Bedding and towels are provided. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher. You’ll have a regular-sized bedroom, sofa bed, bathroom with shower, outside deck with patio furniture, and flat-screen TVs in the living room and bedroom. While in the area, visit Hearst Castle, taste wines, see Dinosaur Caves, take a butterfly tour, go hiking, fishing, or horseback riding, play golf, or try a Hummer tour of the dunes. Enjoy all the new and exciting experiences Pismo Beach has to offer. YOUR AFFORDABLE RATE INCLUDES…• Immaculate restrooms and showers • Some sites are ADA accessible • Modern laundry facility • Controlled access gate for safety • Smooth, paved streets for easy walking • Roomy enough for all slide-outs • Patio and picnic table at every site • FREE WiFi and cable TV • Grass areas • Dump station • Onsite management and management office • Use of all the deluxe Amenities• We’re pet friendly!• Sorry, no tent camping• RV Check-in 1 p.m. & Check out at 12 p.m
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$73
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83%
(3)

Locatelli Vineyards and Winery

16 sites · Lodging, RVs100 acres · San Miguel, San Luis Obispo
Welcome to Locatelli Vineyards and Winery! Our hands-on approach starts in our estate vineyard, through the winemaking process, and onto bottling. Our family-owned and operated winery has been in business for over 20 years. We're dedicated to producing the finest wines in the Paso Robles Appellation. We offer 15 dry camping RV sites for a unique experience to stay at our beautiful vineyard! Wine tastings are available as well - please contact the winery directly at the email provided on your confirmation page for further details. Thank you for visiting, we're glad you're here. Salut!
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$50
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87%
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SoCal Camping

39 sites · Lodging20 acres · Kernville, Tulare
The cabins are situated in The Sequoia National Forest, overlooking the majestic rapids of the Kern River. Come and hike, bike, dip in the river, or simply kick back and take in the 360 of sky scrapping mountains (even glimpse Mount Whitney!) At once a silver mine along the Kern River, now converted to a fun recreation spot for adventure seekers
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$159
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Harmony Pines Camp & Retreat Center

13 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · Wrightwood, Los Angeles
Nestled over 6,000 feet up in the giant pines of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Harmony Pines Camp is very shady and cool in the summer, and often covered beautifully with snow in the winter. We are a non-profit youth camp and happy to open up our home to share with you at affordable rates for youth group camping, seminars, group offsites, leadership trainings, specialty workshops, or intimate spiritual retreats for 100 people comfortably. All rental fees are ways of our fundraising to fund our camp operation, maintenance, and youth development programs.Harmony Pines may also be turned in a beautiful place for a nature inspired wedding, family adventure, and reunion event with many exciting winter and summer activities. Located nearby are the Jackson Lake, Mountain High Ski Resort, and Wrightwood town with many antique stores, fine restaurants, art galleries, and craft shops.This beautiful camp is just 40 minutes from San Bernadino area; and 1.5 hours from the Los Angeles basin and Orange County. Please come and check out our fully-equipped facility for your future events. We will do our best to assist you to have a memorable event and wonderful time at Harmony Pines!BYA Harmony Pines Camp facility includes:• A fully equiped commercial grade kitchen;• A dining hall and patio with a 138 capacity which can be divided into two seperate meeting rooms;• A large 1,900-sqft multi-purpose round yurt for meetings, mediation, yoga, lecture, etc.;• 7 large sleeping dormitories with 82 beds and adjacent restrooms and showers• 4 small and cozy cabins for camp staff, guest speakers or spiritual leaders;• A meditation room with a 20 capacity; a rusted tea room for reading and conversational space• A recreational area with foosball tables and tennis tables, a volleyball court;• An archery range and kayak boats at Jackson Lake may be arranged for additional fees;• An outdoor amphitheather; a large flat area for outdoor gathering; and several restrooms with hot and cold showers.
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$600
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Open Desert Camping- Horse friendly

20 sites · RVs10 acres · Palmdale, Los Angeles
Learn more about this land:Come and enjoy open desert camping for a nice break away from city life. Sleep under the stars while enjoying the tranquility of nature in your camper or tents. Whether your trip is to enjoy a silent yoga retreat or rev up your dirt bikes, it's a perfect spot for all. Horseback riding is available, sold separately.
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$55
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Booked 1 time

THE GREAT BAR-B's RANCH

40 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · California City, Kern
For years we've raced the Mojave Desert, and the areas within the California City, City limits. We loved the area for racing and for camping out. This is where the sun shines about 330 days of the year and where the absolutely stunning, clear, starry skies, pop up every night. We just had to find a place for us desert-lovers. After looking all over the desert, our friend, who owned ten acres just 3.2 miles from the City limits, in East Kern County, invited us to look at his property. They called their ranch, Hi-Vista Ranch. We visited his property and after looking at many pieces of land to buy in the high desert, we knew we had found it. What sold us was that it was the only plot of land for miles, that offered a 360-degree view of fabulous desert escapes and including the wonderful city of California City. It was gorgeous. Anywhere you looked the views were extraordinary! We were sold and bought the ten acres. Subsequently we bought additional acres adjacent and contiguous to ours, including a beautiful hillside where we often parked and enjoy the magnificent visual experience that is the Alta Vista Ranch (we re-named it; meaning “high vistas” in Spanish). In recent years, we have once again re-named the ranch as the Racing Ranch, to better describe its function. It now serves as headquarters for a series of competition events, including mountain bike racing, off-road events, Pony Express rides, drone racing, running marathons; and the very popular “desert tours.” All start and end at the ranch. Moreover, the Racing Ranch serves as the main stage for two yearly music “concerts on the hills.” Also known as the “RAW FESTIVAL.” All major events are blocked off on the calendar. But when possible, we allow a portion of the campers to rent on the same days of any event. However, there are plenty of weekend and weekdays to enjoy the solitude of the ranch for Dry RV Camping. Remember, the high desert is not only magnificent, but year-round you can enjoy crisp weather in the Fall and Winter and warm temperatures in the Spring and Summer months. We often get plenty of out of the Country tourists to visit the ranch in the middle of Summer, where temperatures can reach 110 degrees. But as they say, “It’s a dry heat!”  Learn more about this land:Semi-flat and graded 10 acres available for Dry Camping, plus exclusive spots where parking is allowed also with great view. However, you must have 4WD to access these special spots. The view of the Northern desert and mountain range is truly spectacular. On clear days, from our high spot, the crown and tip of Mount Whitney can be seen. Truly a beautiful spot to just sit back and enjoy the Majesty of the Mojave Desert, or venture from there to incredible sites and locations in the desert. We also have available GPS files to use with your GPS unit to explore the desert. From ten mile loops to over 70-mile loops and longer. Ask for them. Also guided tours are available for individuals or for a group. These need to be booked in the advance.Please note this booking includes one vehicle, extra vehicles are $29 each per night and you'll need to pay with cash upon arrival. 
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$29
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Camping near Santa Barbara guide

A prime location overlooking the Pacific Ocean makes Santa Barbara one of the most popular resort towns in California. Santa Barbara County is also a camper's dream, offering several beautiful state beaches with incredibly popular campsites—try El Capitán State Beach or palm-tree-lined Refugio State Beach just three miles further. While you're on the coast, Channel Islands National Park is also worth a visit during gray whale season, accessed via a half-day whale watching boat trip out of Santa Barbara Harbor or seen on an overnight backcountry camping trip on Santa Cruz Island. For some cool summer camping, hit Los Padres National Forest, where Paradise Campground features well-sized sites with flush toilets and access to the Santa Ynez River.

Where to Go

Channel Islands National Park

Craving some remote camping? Each of the five Channel Islands has one established campground, while Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa islands offer limited backcountry options. Scorpion Canyon and Del Norte Campgrounds on Santa Cruz are most popular, both accessed by foot, private boat, or kayak.

Los Padres National Forest

Choose from more than 60 campgrounds, including dispersed campsites, in Los Padres. Paradise Campground features spacious sites and plentiful shade from massive oak trees with the Santa Ynez River close by for fishing and swimming. Flush toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables make this campground a comfy piece of tent camping heaven.

Santa Barbara Area State Beaches

El Capitán offers 131 sites for tent and RV camping, all set among sycamore and oak trees, while three miles further, Refugio State Beach caters to angler campers who love this stretch of coastline dotted with hiking trails and picnic tables.

When to Go

Springtime typically draws visitors to Santa Barbara for the annual International Film Festival and the Vintners Festival Weekend, while the warmth of June brings the outdoor California Wine Festival. Summer is, of course, peak season, when beaches are most crowded and campgrounds fill up. Expect mild weather all year, with rainfall usually between December and February. Camping is available year-round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park. 

Know Before You Go

  • The Channel Islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats or private boats, and campers must secure advance transportation for any overnight trip.
  • Advanced camping reservations are required for all Channel Islands campgrounds. No public transportation is available on the islands, and bicycles are not permitted.
  • Visitors can reserve campsites at El Capitán State Beach six months in advance.
  • Dogs are allowed in the El Capitán campgrounds and day-use areas, but are not permitted on the beach.
  • Always safely store all food and secure trash in animal- and bird-proof containers.

Nearby Attractions

  • Discover the beauty of coastal camping at Rincon Parkway. Set up camp along the scenic shoreline, indulge in beach activities, and fall asleep to the soothing sound of ocean waves. Embrace the laid-back atmosphere and create lasting memories in this coastal paradise.

  • Experience coastal camping bliss at Faria Beach Park. Set up camp near sandy shores, enjoy beach activities, and relish breathtaking sunsets. Embrace the laid-back beach lifestyle, listen to the soothing ocean waves, and create unforgettable memories in this beachside paradise. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Free dispersed camping in Santa Barbara is limited, but there are some options in the nearby Los Padres National Forest. Keep in mind that Leave No Trace principles should always be followed. There are various locations within Los Padres National Forest for free dispersed camping, such as areas along forest roads. Please note that these options are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may have limited amenities.

While beach camping directly on the sand in Santa Barbara is generally not permitted, there are several campgrounds near the beach that offer easy access to the coastline. Some popular options include Carpinteria State Beach, El Capitan State Beach, and Refugio State Beach. These campgrounds provide coastal camping experiences without being directly on the sand. You can explore more beach camping options in Santa Barbara on Hipcamp.

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