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If you’re itching for a new adventure this summer, you will find a wealth of amazing places to go RV camping in Southern California—gorgeous stretches of coastline to cool off, a beautiful mountain wilderness to awe you, fun activities to keep your crew active, and some dreamy camping spots to help you unwind.
Below, we’ve put together the best RV campgrounds in Southern California to visit in the summer.
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South Carlsbad State Beach Campground – Carlsbad
For some of the best beach camping in Southern California, head to South Carlsbad State Beach, just 30 miles from San Diego. Here, you’ll find a beachfront wonderland with plenty of recreation options awaiting.
You can go swimming, snorkeling, surfing, skin diving, biking, and fishing. The campground can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long, has full hookups, bathrooms with showers, picnic tables, fire pits, a camp store, and it’s pet friendly.
If you decide to travel with your furry best friend, make sure you install Waggle. It’s a pet monitoring device that alerts you when the temps inside your rig are unsafe for your pet, even when you’re miles away, helping you take quick action.
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Moro Campground – Crystal Cove State Park
Just over an hour’s drive to LA, off the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll find Moro Campground. It has miles of spectacular coastline, making it a perfect destination for RV beach camping in Southern California. Apart from the coastline, the surrounding areas have plenty to offer.
There are excellent hikes to the Moro Canyon and viewpoints with breathtaking landscapes. This campground has around 60 RV campsites that can accommodate small and medium-sized rigs. It also has full hookups and restrooms with coin-operated showers.
San Mateo Campground – San Onofre State Beach
With 3,000 acres, San Onofre State Beach is one of the most popular oceanside destinations in Southern California. The best place to park your rig when exploring the area is San Mateo Campground. It’s a little over a mile inland from the sandy beaches, but it has a lot to offer.
There’s a 1.5-mile Nature Trail connecting the campground to Trestles Beach, a world-class surfing spot. Apart from surfing, you can hike, bike, fish, swim, beach comb, and observe wildlife. The campground has 157 sites with water and electric hookups, a dump station, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Serrano Campground – San Bernardino National Forest
Serrano Campground is one of the best RV parks in Southern California for families. This mountain summer retreat is set in a pine forest, a stone’s throw from the refreshing waters of Big Bear Lake. It’s a nice place to soak up the shade at the height of summer.
When you camp here, you’ll find full RV hookups, fire rings, showers, and flush toilets. Recreation options range from water activities, such as boating and fishing, to inland pursuits, such as hiking and mountain biking.
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Bonita Ranch Campground – San Bernardino
Bonita Ranch Campground is an alpine oasis offering a breath of fresh forest air to keep you cool in the soaring temps. It will also give you access to California’s best-known treasure, Anaheim, a city famous for its theme parks, entertainment, hospitality, and cuisine.
One of the highlights of staying here is the hike to Bonita Falls Waterfall. You can also enjoy wildlife viewing, horseback riding, or relaxing by Lytle Creek, which flows near the campground. There are full hookup RV sites, and restrooms, and the place is pet friendly.
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Paradise By The Sea RV Resort – Oceanside
One of the highest-rated RV resorts in Southern California, Paradise By The Sea has all the ingredients to make an action-packed summer camping trip. There’s plenty of daily coastal fun, from cruising, fishing, and surfing to water skiing.
When you want to take a break from the water, you can enjoy hiking, biking, craft beer, and even farm-to-table food offerings. This escape has full hookups, laundry, a pool, hot tub, free cable, and WiFi, as well as a playground and beach cafe.
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Mesa Campground – Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
Silverwood Lake is arguably one of the best RV camping lakes in Southern California and the entire state. The Mesa Campground is on the lakeshore, and its sites can accommodate RVs up to 31 feet long. Recreational opportunities range from boating, water-skiing, and swimming to fishing.
When you aren’t splashing around the lake waters, you can take advantage of the 13 miles of hiking and biking trails in the park, go wildlife watching, or admire the wonderful mountain views. Amenities include picnic tables, grills, fire pits, and hot showers.
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Malibu Beach RV Park – Malibu
Park your rig at Malibu Beach RV Park and experience a little slice of paradise on the seaside. This campground is nestled on the edge of the Pacific, with its 142 RV camping spots offering either mountain or ocean views.
Apart from the phenomenal scenery, campers can look forward to boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, fishing, and hiking. The campground has full hookups, heated showers, laundry facilities, picnic areas, a recreation room, and a convenience store.
Frandy Park Campground – Kernville
Hunting for the best river RV camping in Southern California? Escape to Frandy Park Campground. This getaway is set on the banks of the Kern River, amidst oak woodlands and steep hillsides.
You can come here to unwind among the desert landscape or use it as a base to explore the Sequoia National Forest or have whitewater adventures. Boaters, fishermen, and kayakers will also enjoy the local waterways. The campground is chock full of amenities such as full hookups, showers, WiFi, and outdoor games.
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Escape to Southern California This Summer
Whether you want to camp in a world-famous beach, a high mountain pine forest, or a boulder-strewn desert, Southern California has campgrounds to please even the pickiest RVer. With our list above, you no longer need to wonder where to camp in Southern California this summer. Just make sure you book your spot months in advance.
