Two of three coastal campgrounds in Orange County perch on bluffs. Each of the 58 tent and RV sites at El Moro Campground in Laguna Beach's Crystal Cove Park provides an ocean view. Across the Pacific Coast Highway, the park's pristine beach stretches 3 1/2 miles. Its near-shore water, a designated underwater park, attracts divers and snorkelers. Campers get restrooms, hot showers and shaded picnic tables. Bring a propane barbecue or stove if you want to cook. The park's trails meander through the canyon behind the campground. A tent site costs about $50 per night at the time of publication.
San Clemente State Beach's campground perches on the bluffs, providing 160 sites, hot showers, picnic tables and flush toilets. San Clemente's beach attracts surfers and surf fishers; a California fishing license is required. Hiking trails around the campground let you get some exercise on land.
In the Southern California whale-watching capital of Dana Point, Doheny State Beach Park offers 122 RV and tent campsites, including 33 beachfront tent sites, the latter with fire pits and picnic tables on the sand. Amenities include hot showers, flush toilets, snack concessions, volleyball nets and a lawn. Fees run about $60 per night at the time of publication. Surfing, swimming, tide pooling, bicycling and pier fishing are popular at this busy park.
O’Neill Regional Park, in Trabuco Canyon near Irvine, is one of the two county parks with campgrounds in OC. O'Neill has 79 family tent and RV sites. Campers have access to hot showers, flush toilets, barbecues, playground, lawn, nature center, first aid station, campfire pits and picnic tables, and ranger-led programs. There’s also a horse camp. The 23 miles of trails include nature walks and wilderness hikes. Dogs are not allowed on wilderness trails. Oak and sycamore shade the park's central area, and this park extends to Caspers Wilderness Park.
Tent, and RV, campers also get spoiled at the county’s campground at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park. The park protects 8,000 acres of wilderness, with many trails to explore. There are campfire and other programs, as well as ranger-led hikes that teach about the area. Campers have hot showers, a restroom and playground. The 75 campsites include electric hook-ups and standard amenities for RVs and tents. Because this is a wilderness area, dogs are not allowed.
Orange County average daytime temperatures range from 67 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to 80 degrees in summer; nighttime temperatures range from 43 to 61 degrees. The sun shines an average of 278 days of the year in Orange County. From April through October, rain falls less than 1 inch each month. Rain increases through November, December and January, reaching a maximum in February, which gets about 3 1/2 inches. Pack a tarp to place under your tent, along with a rain fly, especially during the rainier months. Bring clothing to layer for cooler mornings and evenings and to peel off in the afternoon. Depending on where you camp, bring hiking boots, beach attire or both.
If you enjoy viewing wildlife, bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom or telephoto lens. On the coast you might spy seals, seal lions, dolphins, whales and sea birds. The inland mammals tend to prowl at night, but you might see raccoon, bobcat and deer, and you will likely see hawks, woodpeckers and other birds. Mountain lions live in the OC wilderness, but you will likely not see one. Be sure to read the safety tips from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. When camping inland, store food and everything else with a scent in animal-proof containers to discourage coyotes and other wildlife from looking to people for handouts, which endangers everyone, including the animals.
Campgrounds in Orange County, especially on the coast, fill quickly. Many campers reserve sites at Doheny State Beach more than six months in advance Some campgrounds let you reserve online more a year ahead. If you don’t see a site you want available, check for a message at the reservation website announcing when it will post a new block of open sites. Then go to the website early that day to book. It's worth it to plan ahead for tent camping in Orange County.
