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New Brighton State Beach is located off PCH (highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) in Capitola. This park features picnic areas, swimming, fishing and a nearby forest of Monterey pine and Coastal Live Oak. The camping area is on a bluff overlooking northern Monterey Bay. Campground offers 111 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations required.
New Brighton
1500 Park Avenue
Capitola, California 95010
(831) 464-6330
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Manresa State Beach is located off PCH (highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) west of Watsonville. This park features picnic areas, swimming, fishing and clamming. The camping area is on a bluff overlooking northern Monterey Bay. Campground offers 64 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring and flush toilets. Reservations required.
Manresa
Ellicott, California 95076
(831) 761-1795
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Sunset State Beach is located off PCH (highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) in Watsonville. This park features pine trees, sand dunes, camping and ocean side picnicking. Bordered by large agricultural fields west of the city of Watsonville, the beach is a year-round destination for locals and tourists alike. Campground offers 89 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
Sunset
201 Sunset Beach Road
Watsonville, California 95076
Reservations: (800) 444-7275
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Laguna Seca is located in between Monterey and Salinas off Highway 68. The campground is part of the Laguna Seca race complex including a golf course and rifle & pistol range. Campground is split into 3 camps offering a total of 177 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. Chaparral and Can-Am campgrounds include level blacktop pads with water and electricity hook-ups for RVs. Dumpstation available. The Grand Prix Campground has level dirt pads for tent campers. Many of the north facing sites have terrific views of the racetrack and the rest of the sites have panaramic views of coastal rolling hills. Reservations recommended.
TIPS: This campground is kept very clean and hot showers are free. Between the racetrack, nearby airport and the outdoor shooting range down the hill from Chaparral Campground, it's not exactly a get-away to nature. But it's great fun to take a moment to watch cars racing on the track from your campsite. Even when there's not an event, the racing school still runs cars on the track. Be ready for the 16% grade to climb up to the campgrounds. It's only about a quarter-mile distance but we saw some motorhomes disconnecting tow vehicles before the ascent.
Laguna Seca Recreation Area
1025 Monterey Salinas Highway 68
Salinas, California 93908
Reservations: (888) 588-2267
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Arroyo Seco is located in Carmel Valley off Arroya Seco Road and Highway 101, in Greenfield. Activities include camping, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, swimming and horseback riding. A small lake and nearby river provide swimming and fishing opportunities. Arroyo Seco is situated on a hillside with plenty of shade-bearing oak trees. Campground offers 34 modern sites for tent or RV and additional primitive sites. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, barbeques, showers and flush toilets. Reservations required.
Arroyo Seco Campground
47600 Arroyo Seco Road
Greenfield, California 93927
Reservations: (877) 444-6777
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San Lorenzo Park is located off Highway 101 north of Paso Robles and south of Soledad. An on-site museum features historic farm equipment, blacksmith shop and King City's train depot. Local attractions include wineries and Spanish missions. Campground offers 83 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, barbeques, laundry facility, showers and flush toilets. Many sites include sewer, water and electric hook-ups for RVs. Reservations recommended.
San Lorenzo Park
1160 Broadway
King City, California 93930
Reservations: (888) 588-2267
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Big Sur Region is located south of Carmel and north of San Simeon along Highway 1. This large expanse of oceanfront property is densely populated with redwoods and evergreens. Several state parks and private campgrounds offer hiking trails, secluded beaches, rocky shoreline, and some of California's most beautiful landscape. Accommodations include everything from oppulant resorts and lodges to yurts and primitive camping. Most campgrounds are modern with firepits, flush toilets and showers.
Big Sur
Highway 1
Big Sur, California 93920
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Pfeiffer-Big Sur is located off PCH (highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway) in Big Sur. This park hugs the ocean at the mouth of the Big Sur River. Spectacularly beautiful McWay Fall drops 80-feet onto the sandy beach at water's edge. Activities include camping, hiking, swimming and picnicking. Campground is located in a dense pine forest and offers 218 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers, flush toilets, store and visitor center. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
Pfeiffer-Big Sur
Big Sur Station #1
Big Sur, California 93920
Reservations: (800) 444-7275
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Limekiln State Park is located off PCH (highway 1 - Pacific Coast Highway), 2 miles south of Lucia, in Big Sur. The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast, the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. Activities include camping, fishing and hiking. Campground is located in a dense pine forest and offers 33 sites for tent or small RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers, and flush toilets. Reservations recommended.
Limekiln
63025 Highway 1
Big Sur, California 93920
Reservations: (800) 444-7275
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Pinnacles National Monument is located east of Soledad off highway 101. The monument resides on the remains of an ancient volcano. Massive monoliths, spires and sheer-walled canyons create a breathtaking landscape of more than 12,000 acres. Pinnacles is renowned for the beauty and variety of its spring wildflowers. Activities include camping, hiking, rock climbing, caving and wildlife viewing. Monument features include two large caves with an active bat population and Tunnel Trail where a bridge meets a tunnel blasted through solid rock. Campground is situated along side a creek and sites are shaded by oak trees and offers 125 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers, and flush toilets. Electric hook-ups and nearby dumpstation for RVs. General store and visitor center on-site. Reservations recommended.
Pinnacles Visitor Center
5000 Highway 146
Paicines, California 95043
(877) 444-6777
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Lake San Antonio Resort is located northwest of Paso Robles off Highway 101. This large lake resort offers two campgrounds with hundreds of sites for tent and RV, cabins, boat rentals, a convenience store, lakeside restaurant and more. Activities include boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. Many sites are modern with barbeques, flush toilets and showers. First-come first-served.
Lake San Anotonio
Star Route, Box 2620
Bradley, California 93426
(800) 310-2313
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Lake Nacimiento Resort is located north of Paso Robles off Highway 101. This large lake resort offers several campgrounds with over 300 sites for tent and RV, luxury cabins, boat rentals, a convenience store, lakeside restaurant and more. Activities include boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing. Many sites are modern with barbeques, flush toilets and showers. Reservations are required in the more popular campgrounds but many are First-come first-served.
Lake Nacimiento
10625 Nacimiento Lake Drive
Paso Robles, California 93446
(800) 323-3839
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San Simeon State Park is located off Highway 1 just north of Cambria. The park includes sandy beaches, coastal wetlands, a freshwater creek and coastal bluffs. An interpretive trail follows the creek through the wetlands to picturesque vantage points. Activities include camping, hiking, fishing, surfing, wildlife viewing and more. Campground offers 115 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended. Additional, primitive sites are located further into the park at the Washburn Campground.
San Simeon
Van Gordon Creek Road at San Simeon Creek Road
Cambria California, 93428
Reservations: (800) 444-7275
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Santa Margarita Lake is located off Highways 101 and 58, northeast of San Luis Obispo. No human contact is allowed with the lake, so swimming is not allowed. Fishing boats, canoes and rowboats are allowed. Swimming is available at a community pool. Activities include canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and more. Four campgrounds offer sites for tent or RV. Two campgrounds are primitive boat-in only sites. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
TIP: The north side of the lake is only accessible by boat and offers primitive campgrounds and hiking trails. Boats are available for rent at a small marina. Nearby stables offer horseback riding on the lake's southern trails.
Santa Margarita Lake Campgrounds
4695 Santa Margarita Road
Santa Margarita, California 93453
Reservations: (805) 788-2397
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El Chorro is located off Highway 1 just north of the Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, golfing, volleyball, horseshoes, softball and more. Campgrounds are situated along Dairy Creek, which eventually flows into Morro Bay. The park also includes Dairy Creek Golf Course and a botanical garden. Campground offers 62 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. Some sites have full hook-ups of water, electric and sewer for RVs. First-come, first-served unless reserving multiple sites.
El Chorro
Dairy Creek Road
San Luis Obispo, California 93405
Reservations: (805) 781-5930, option 4
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Lopez Lake is located off Highway 101 northeast of Arroyo Grande. Activities include camping, fishing, boating, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding, mountain biking, birdwatching and more. The marina offers boat & ski rentals of many varieties and fishing tackle. Mustang Water Slides is a water park located within the park. Campgrounds offer 154 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
Lopez Lake Campgrounds
6800 Lopez Drive
Arroyo Grande, California 93420
Reservations: (805) 788-2381
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Morro Bay State Beach is located off Highway 1 at the southern end of Morro Bay. The park features a lagoon and natural bay. The bay’s most prominent landmark is Morro Rock. Activities include camping, sailing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and more. An onsite museum has exhibits of cultural history, Native American life, geology, and oceanography. The park also has a marina and an 18-hole public golf course. South of the park is an estuary that is popular for bird watching. Campground offers 134 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
Morro Bay
Morro Bay State Park Road
Morro Bay, California 93442
Reservations: (800) 444-7275
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Pismo State Beach is located off Highway 1. This beach has so much to offer. To the north is a wide sandy beach, a pier and a thriving beach community. To the south is a wide sandy beach, camping, a Monarch Butterfly preserve and off-roading in the Pismo and Oceano Dunes. Popular activities include surfing, fishing, butterfly viewing, off-roading and camping. Campground offers 98 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
Pismo Beach
555 Pier Avenue
Oceano, California 93445
Reservations: (800) 444-7275
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Oceano is located off Highway 1 just south of Pismo Beach. A Monarch Butterfly preserve and private lagoon are adjacent to the campground. Off-roading is available in the Pismo and Oceano Dunes to the south. Popular activities include surfing, fishing, butterfly viewing, off-roading and camping. Campground offers 22 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. All sites have full hook-ups of water, electric and sewer for RVs. Reservations recommended.
Oceano
540 Air Park Drive
Oceano, California 93445
Reservations: (805) 781-4900
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Gaviota State Park is located off Highway 101 in Goleta, approximately 30-miles northwest of Santa Barbara. The park is a popular spot for camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking and fishing. A pier on the west end of the beach is used by divers and surfers. A Southern Pacific railroad trestle crosses the creek above the day-use parking lot. Hiking trails lead to a natural hot spring and offer views of the coast and Channel Islands. Campground offers 36 sites for tent or small RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. Reservations recommended.
Gaviota State Park
10 Refugio Beach Road
Goleta, California 93117
(805) 968-1033
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Refugio State Beach is 20-miles west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101. This is a popular swimming, picnicking, surfing and fishing beach. Camping is available just behind the beach at sea level. A bike trail connects Refugio to El Capitan State Beach to the east. Campground offers 67 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a convenience store, picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. Reservations recommended.
Refugio State Beach
10 Refugio Beach Road
Goleta, California 93117
(805) 968-1033
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El Capitan Canyon is west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101. They offer the new concept of Glamour Camping. Dubbed "Glamping", El Capitan Canyon offers tent cabins and cabins with king-size beds, hardwood floors, private bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and room service. Even spa services are available. The property is tucked into a canyon of sycamore trees and a flowing creek at the base of the Los Padres National Forest. Grounds include a heated swimming pool, general store, deli, restrooms, showers and picnic areas. On Saturday nights during the summer they host concerts near the entrance. Vehicles are not allowed to drive anywhere near the cabins, so visitors must park near the entrance station and are shuttled to their cabins. Bicycles are available to guests at no charge and can be used to navigate the resort or head down to El Capitan State Beach for a picnic or other beach fun.
TIP: This place is top notch. Its location is pristine, food at the deli borders on gourmet and service is friendly and helpful. It gets rave reviews from travel publications across the nation and is a must for anyone who doesn't own a tent or care to, but still would like to be closure to nature. It's a great way to enjoy the nature aspect of one of the most beautiful regions of our Central Coast - without getting dirty.
El Capitan Canyon
11560 Calle Real (El Capitan S.P. exit)
Santa Barbara, California 93117
(866) 352-2729
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El Capitan State Beach is west of Santa Barbara off Highway 101. This is a very popular beach for camping. Camping is offered among sycamore trees and several creeks flowing to the ocean. A day use area includes picnic tables, barbeques and trash cans on a grassy knoll on the beach. The beach is a long stretch of sand with boulders and tidepools at either end. A bike trail connects El Capitan to Refugio State Beach to the west. Campground offers 131 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a general store, picnic table, fire ring, showers and flush toilets. Reservations required.
TIP: El Capitan Canyon is located within walking distance on the other side of Highway 101. Campers at the State Beach are welcome to some of their amenities including a general store, deli and summer concerts on Saturday nights. Their deli serves anything from oatmeal to gourmet meals. No need to bring any coolers full of food with this place nearby.
El Capitan State Beach
El Capitan State Beach Road
Santa Barbara, California 93117
(805) 968-1033
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Lake Cachuma is located north of Santa Barbara off Highway 154. This large lake resort offers several campgrounds with over 400 sites for tent and RV, cabins, yurts, boat rentals, a convenience store, snack bar & grill, swimming pool and more. Activities include boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming and hiking. All campsites are modern with a picnic table, fire ring, barbeque, flush toilets and showers. RV dumpstation available. All campgrounds are First-come first-served.
Lake Cachuma
HC 59 - Highway 154
Santa Barbara, California 93105
(805) 686-5054
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Upper Oso is located north of Santa Barbara off Highway 154. Activities include hiking, fishing, swimming, and mountain biking. The campground has 22 campsites, some with corrals and extra long parking for trailers, a picnic table, barbecue, firepit and flush toilets. Fishing is available in the nearby Santa Inez River or Lake Cachuma. Reservations required.
Upper Oso Campground
3505 Paradise Road
Santa Barbara, California 93105
Reservations: (877) 444-6777
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Fremont is located north of Santa Barbara off Highway 154. Activities include hiking, fishing, swimming, and mountain biking. The campground has 14 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, barbeque, fire ring and flush toilets. Fishing is available in the nearby Santa Inez River or Lake Cachuma. Reservations recommended.
Fremont Campground
3505 Paradise Road
Santa Barbara, California 93105
Reservations: (805) 967-8766
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Los Prietos is located north of Santa Barbara off Highway 154. Activities include hiking, fishing, swimming, and mountain biking. The campground has 37 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, barbeque, fire ring and flush toilets. Fishing is available in the nearby Santa Inez River or Lake Cachuma. Reservations recommended.
Los Prietos Campground
3505 Paradise Road
Santa Barbara, California 93105
Reservations: (805) 967-8766
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Paradise is located north of Santa Barbara off Highway 154. Activities include hiking, fishing, swimming, and mountain biking. The campground has 15 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, barbecue, fire ring and flush toilets. Fishing is available in the nearby Santa Inez River or Lake Cachuma. Reservations required.
Paradise Campground
5050 Paradise Road
Santa Barbara, California 93105
Reservations: (805) 967-3481
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Carpinteria State Beach is located south-east of Santa Barbara and offers a long sandy beach and tidepools. Camping, swimming, surfing and tidepool exploration are popular activities. Campground offers 216 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, laundry, convenience store, visitor center, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
Carpinteria
5361 6th Street
Carpinteria, California 93013
(805) 968-1033
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Lake Casitas is located east of Santa Barbara off Highway 150 and north of Ventura off Highway 33. This large lake resort offers several campgrounds with over 400 sites for tent and RV, boat rentals, convenience stores, a cafe and more. Activities include boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, bird watching and biking. All campsites are modern with a picnic table, fire ring, barbeque, flush toilets and showers. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.
Lake Casitas
11311 Santa Ana Road
Ventura, California 93001
(805) 649-2233
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McGrath State Beach is located 5-miles south of Ventura off Highway 101. A nature trail leads from the beach and sand dunes, up the mouth of the Santa Clara River, to an estuary preserve. Camping, surfing, fishing and bird watching are popular activities. Campground offers 172 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, visitor center, showers and flush toilets. RV dumpstation available. Reservations required.
McGrath
2211 Harbor Boulevard
Oxnard, California 93030
(805) 968-1033
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ADDITIONAL primitive camps are located throughout the Los Padres National Forest from Monterey in the north, south to Santa Barbara. Most offer a table, fire ring and vault toilets. Many do not have running water.
Los Padres National Forest
6755 Hollister Avenue
Suite 150
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 968-6640
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