Can you sleep in a tent on the beach in San Diego?

No Overnight Camping Overnight camping, sleeping or parking is NOT allowed on the beach, cliffs, walkways, park areas or adjacent parking lots.



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Littering is NOT allowed on the beach, cliffs, walkways, park areas or adjacent parking lots. Disturbing noise is NOT allowed on the beach, cliffs, walkways, park areas or adjacent parking lots. Overnight camping, sleeping or parking is NOT allowed on the beach, cliffs, walkways, park areas or adjacent parking lots.

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Below are eight coastal camping spots, listed south to north, where you can sleep on or next to some of California's best beaches.
  • San Elijo State Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea. ...
  • Crystal Cove State Beach Moro Campground, Laguna Beach. ...
  • Two Harbors Campground, Santa Catalina Island. ...
  • Refugio State Beach, Goleta.


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Unlike at most California beaches, you can actually spend the night on the sand at Thornhill Broome Campground in Point Mugu State Park just north of Malibu. The 69 primitive campsites here see a mix of tent campers and RV campers.

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Sleeping on the beach at night does come with some risks and safety concerns that should not be ignored. It's important to acknowledge that not all beaches are suitable for overnight stays, and one must exercise caution.

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Different from temporary camping, the city has a vehicle habitation ban, meaning it is illegal to sleep overnight or live in a car in San Diego. It's also illegal to park an oversized vehicle or RV overnight (between 2 and 6am) on public San Diego streets without a permit.

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California's Best Coastal Campgrounds
  • San Elijo State Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea. ...
  • Crystal Cove State Beach Moro Campground, Laguna Beach. ...
  • Two Harbors Campground, Santa Catalina Island. ...
  • Refugio State Beach, Goleta. ...
  • Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur. ...
  • Doran Regional Park, Bodega Bay. ...
  • MacKerricher State Park, Fort Bragg.


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planning to visit or conduct activities on LA County-operated beaches or in Marina del Rey must first apply for and obtain a Beach Camp Use Permit.

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