Where in San Diego can you camp?

  • Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay. Southern California's Newest Resort. Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay. 825 E Street. Chula Vista, CA 91910. ...
  • Campland On the Bay RV & Tent Camping Resort. Campland On the Bay RV & Tent Camping Resort. 2211 Pacific Beach Dr. San Diego, CA 92109-5699. (858) 581-4200. ...
  • Paradise by the Sea RV Resort.




San Diego offers a diverse range of camping experiences, from beachfront bluffs to high-altitude mountain forests. For the "classic" beach experience, San Elijo State Beach and Silver Strand State Beach are premier choices, offering campsites with direct ocean views and access for surfers and swimmers. If you prefer a resort-style experience, Campland on the Bay in Mission Bay is a top-rated family destination featuring full RV hookups, pools, and water sports. For those seeking a mountain retreat, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park offers over 26,000 acres of oak woodlands and meadows, while Palomar Mountain State Park provides a lush, forested environment at 5,000 feet, often much cooler than the coast. For a unique desert experience, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to the east offers vast, rugged landscapes. Most of these sites require advance reservations through "ReserveCalifornia" or the San Diego County Parks website.

San Diego offers a fantastic variety of camping options, from beachfront spots to mountain forests and desert landscapes. Here’s a breakdown of the main areas and some top recommendations:

1. Beach & Coastal Camping

  • San Diego Metro Area:
    • Campland on the Bay (Mission Bay): Full-service resort with RV sites, amenities, and direct bay access. More glamping than rustic.
    • Mission Bay RV Resort: Another full-service option right on the water.
  • North County Coast:
    • South Carlsbad State Beach: Iconic bluff-top camping with stunning ocean views. Reservations are essential.
    • San Elijo State Beach (Cardiff-by-the-Sea): Similar bluff-top camping, great for surfing and sunsets.
    • San Onofre State Beach - Bluffs Campground (North of SD County line): Famous surf spot with basic campsites.

2. Inland & Mountain Camping

  • Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (1 hour east): A local favorite in the Laguna Mountains with pine forests, meadows, and hiking trails.
    • Green Valley and Paso Picacho are popular campgrounds here.
  • Mount Laguna Recreation Area (Cleveland National Forest, 1 hour east): Higher elevation (6,000 ft) with pine forests, cooler temps, and great hiking/biking.
    • Burnt Rancheria and Laguna Campground are excellent choices.
  • William Heise County Park (near Julian): Peaceful forested park with cabins and campsites, close to the historic town of Julian.

3. Desert & Anza-Borrego

  • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (1.5-2 hours east): California’s largest state park. Offers everything from developed campgrounds to vast, free primitive camping (no facilities) on hundreds of miles of dirt roads. Best in fall, winter, and spring.
    • Developed: Borrego Palm Canyon Campground (with a fantastic visitor center).
    • Primitive: Popular areas include Coyote Canyon, Fish Creek, and Blair Valley (with Native American rock art).

4. Lake Camping

People Also Ask

On-street overnight parking is usually free, but there are limited spots and high demand for this option. San Diego parking lots and garages charge up to $30 for overnight parking. But you'll find several affordable deals online. 12-hour overnight parking at a well-maintained parking lot is available for as low as $9.

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The Best Free Camping Near San Diego
  • Yaqui Wash Primitive Campground.
  • Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves.
  • Corte Madera Mountain.
  • Pine Creek Road Dispersed Camping.
  • Blair Valley.
  • Culp Valley Primitive Campground.
  • Fish Creek Wash Primitive Campsite.


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It is one of the largest shelter spaces being operated in the City of San Diego. The O Lot Safe Sleeping site, located on City property at the edge of Balboa Park near the Naval Medical Center, has capacity for up to 400 tents, each allowing space for two people.

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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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Camping Within Cities Is Generally Illegal Most all California cities have laws on the books that prohibit camping within their jurisdiction, with the exception of designated campgrounds and RV parks. You can't just park your RV on a city street and live there for several days in a row.

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In California, you can camp without a permit in areas designated for dispersed camping, usually found on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest lands. Here are some popular locations for dispersed camping without a permit: Inyo National Forest. Sequoia National Forest.

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Free beach camping in California is quite rare, as most beach campgrounds are managed by state parks or other organizations that charge fees. However, you can find some dispersed camping areas along the coast in certain parts of the state, such as on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land or in National Forests.

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From my experience of car camping in California, it is only legal to sleep in public areas as long as there are no parking regulations or signs prohibiting vehicles from parking overnight. I recommend car camping in campgrounds, but if you can't find one, national forests are a good next option.

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The most accessible in San Diego is off Hwy 94 on Marron Valley Rd, near Dulzura, with several remote camping areas. More remote wilderness options are McCain Valley and Beauty Mountains Wilderness. Most BLM public lands are open to dispersed camping, provided it does not conflict with areas posted “closed to camping”.

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Homeless people might sleep in their cars but it is not technically allowed anywhere in San Diego, including La Jolla. It is not a good idea to count on that. There are no campgrounds in La Jolla. Campland by the Bay is the closest campsite.

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A: In California, it is generally legal to sleep in your car on public property, such as on a city street, as long as you are not violating any other laws, such as parking regulations or prohibitions on overnight camping.

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