San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego, is a prime choice for RV campers who favor the spacious campsites set on a bluff over the Pacific Ocean. Throw in free Wi-Fi Internet access, lots of quaint shops, restaurants, a grocery store and a gourmet, on-site snack stand called Bull Taco and you may never want to leave. The campground is often filled to capacity, particularly during the summer months, so advance reservations are a must.
San Elijo State Beach
2050 S. Coast Highway 101
Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92024
760-753-5091
Parks.ca.gov
Guajome County Park in Oceanside has 35 campsites, playgrounds, two fishing ponds and nearly five miles of trails for hiking and other non-motorized uses. Campsites have partial hookups and can accommodate motor homes and campers up to 45 feet long. Some visitors fall in love with the place and decide to use the wedding gazebo.
Guajome County Park
3000 Guajome Lake Road
Oceanside, CA 92057
760-724-4489
co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/Camping/guajome.html
South Carlsbad State Beach is a large campground that sits on sandy bluffs about three miles south of the resort city of Carlsbad. The sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet. The beachfront location makes this campground popular with RV campers on surf vacations, especially in the summer. Legoland Carlsbad is a 10-minute drive away.
South Carlsbad State Beach
7201 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-438-3143
Parks.ca.gov
The mountain setting gives this Ramona campground its name. (Dos Picos means "two peaks" in Spanish.) There are 57 partial hookups on the ranch-style grounds, which are marked with giant hillside boulders, sage, manzanita and several kinds of oak trees. Campers share the grounds with a variety of animals and birds--egrets and herons can be spotted at the park's pond, and possum, foxes, butterflies and more call the park home. Amenities include a nature trail, soccer field and horseshoe pits; Wild Animal Park is a half-hour away in Escondido.
Dos Picos County Park
17953 Dos Picos Park Road
Ramona, CA 92065
760-789-2220
co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/picnic/dos_picos.html
William Heise County Park is near the mountain village of Julian, a popular destination during both warm summers and snowy winters. There are 103 campsites nestled among 929 acres populated with towering pines and oaks. Recreational vehicle campers can choose from the caravan camping area or individual camp sites. If you hang around long enough, you may even spot mule deer, bobcats or a mountain lion.
William Heise County Park
4945 Heise Park Road
Julian, CA 92036
760-765-0650
co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/Camping/heise.html
