Table of Contents
Introduction
For the rugged traveler, there’s no better way to experience America than by camping. Camping near San Diego is a great opportunity to experience the outdoors with friends and family while enjoying some of Southern California’s best attractions. Whether you are an experienced camper or just testing out your new gear for the first time, there is something for everyone in this comprehensive guide to camping near San Diego.
Big Laguna
Big Laguna is located about 2 hours from San Diego, in a beautiful desert setting. It’s an ideal place for you and your loved ones to camp during the summertime.
The campground has a lot of activities to offer its visitors such as fishing, hiking and swimming in the river. If you like camping or just want to spend some time outdoors with your friends this is the place for everyone! There are all kinds of tents available on site including RV sites with full hookups where people can stay longer than just one night if they wish so.
Carlsbad State Beach
Located in Carlsbad, CA, this beach is part of the California State Parks system. It’s a great place to go for a day trip or stay overnight. The campground has tent camping as well as RV and trailer parking sites, but you’ll have to pay extra if you have an RV or trailer. There are no hookups provided at this location (except for water).
Camping here allows you easy access to a number of activities including: swimming and surfing; hiking through trails along creeks; fishing from piers that extend into the ocean; bird watching; boating on Mission Bay; biking on paths along nearby beaches or through nature preserves; scuba diving around sea caves; horseback riding along one mile of beachfront trails where riders can enjoy views of both land and sea up close.
Mount Laguna
Mount Laguna is a great place to camp. It’s located near San Diego, but it feels like you’re much further away from civilization—which is exactly how you want your camping trip to feel. The best part about Mount Laguna is the hiking trails that cover it. You can hike for hours and then set up camp for the night in one of the many campsites available on the mountain. If you have children traveling with you, there are also group sites where families can rent out an entire space for themselves!
Mount Laguna offers both RV parking spots and tent sites. The tent sites are reasonably priced at $20 per night, but if you want more comfort (and more privacy), check out one of their RV spaces ranging from $35-$50 per night depending on whether it has water or sewage hookups.
San Elijo State Park
San Elijo State Beach is a great place to camp near San Diego. This popular park offers beautiful views of the ocean, as well as some amazing hiking trails and an opportunity to see wildlife like sea lions and seals.
The San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is another great camping spot nearby. It has more than 6,000 acres of land that are protected from development by California law, so you can enjoy the beauty of nature without worrying about noise or light pollution from any nearby cities.
South Carlsbad State Beach
South Carlsbad State Beach is one of the best campgrounds to stay in San Diego. Camping here is $35 per night, and it’s open from April through October. The campsites have picnic tables and fire pits, making it easy to make meals while you’re camping. There are also bathrooms and showers that you can use if you need them while you’re here!
Campground amenities include:
- A bathhouse with toilets available 24 hours a day
- A dump station for RV users
- A playground for kids to play on (and probably climb on) during their down time from exploring nature nearby
- A dog park for friendly pups who love getting outdoors
William Heise County Park
William Heise County Park is a campground located in San Diego’s north county. It’s a great place to go camping, hiking, and swimming. The park has two different beaches: one rocky beach with waves and tides that are great for surfing and bodyboarding; and another sandy beach that’s sheltered from strong waves by rocks. There are also tide pools where you can see crabs, sea stars, hermit crabs–and even the occasional octopus!
On the other side of the park is another sandy beach with calm water perfect for swimming or snorkeling (but not scuba diving).
Camping near the beach is great!
If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing getaway that will take you out of the city for a few days and allow you to reconnect with nature, then camping near the beach is an excellent option.
Camping near the beach can be a great way to have some fun in San Diego County. The best part about it is that whether or not you have kids with you, there are plenty of things that everyone can do together when they go camping near the beach.
Conclusion
This is our camping guide to the best campgrounds in San Diego. We had a great time putting together this list and hope you enjoy it as much we did! This list of campgrounds offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a secluded beach spot or an RV park with all the amenities. As always, we encourage you to get out there and explore what this amazing city has to offer.
