Wanderlust World Wanderlust World With more than 1,000 miles of coast and approximately 500 beaches, beach camping in California is plentiful. The state's vast size and geographical diversity give campers an array of different types of beaches to visit. And the state government makes camping on its beaches even easier by offering online reservation and payment options.
California's northern coast features some of the most diverse and beautiful terrain in the country. The area is primarily known for its world-famous Redwood trees, which can reach as high as 350 feet tall. What people don't know is that many of those trees are located mere feet from beaches that allow camping. Trinidad State Park is located just north of Eureka and offers extensive beach camping, with many of the sites located a stone's throw from the Redwoods.
California's middle coast is full of beach camping and, unlike many portions of the north coast, mid-coastal camping is close to many metropolitan areas and has easy access. Angel Island, nestled into San Francisco Bay area, is one of the mid-coast's most popular destinations. The Island offers 11 campsites, with each site accommodating eight campers. Each of the sites also offers tables, food lockers, running water, pit toilets and a barbecue area.
The weather in Southern California makes beach camping ideal nearly year-round. Doheny State Beach, located in Orange Country and just a 60-mile drive from Los Angeles, is one of the region's most popular beach camping locations. The beach offers year-round access and has a 5-acre stretch of grassland adjacent to the beach that is ideal for picnics and hiking.
The majority of beach camping areas in California are pay sites. Because of their immense popularity with locals and tourists, many of the sites require reservations. According to the California State Parks Department, it is not unusual for popular campsites to require reservations a full seven months before your visit. Camping fees range from $9 for single family camping in underdeveloped sites, all the way to $550 for group camping in developed campsites as of May 2010.
The equipment you will need to be comfortable on your camping trip will vary drastically depending on where you will be camping. The north coast climate is very different from the climate in the southern region of the state. Expect cooler temperatures and a likelihood of rain in areas of Humboldt and Del Norte County, which means you will need a suitable tent and warmer clothing. Southern California's climate, especially in the summer time, is mild to warm. Heavy clothing and sleeping bags are not always necessary, and many people choice to camp without a tent.