Tent Camping Campgrounds in So California

Sounds like everyone likes to be close to the water so Point Mugu in Malibu is great and you also get the benefits of the nearby mountains. We tend to enjoy the mountains and regularly camp at Chilao north of LA off Hwy 2. It's only 2 hours drive from the Westside and offers many hiking trails and a visitors center (unfortunately closed currently due to lack of funds but has a nice walk trail behind it that tells the history of an Indidan tribe that lived in the area). An added bonus is that Newcomb's Ranch is only a couple of miles away where you can enjoy great food and if your boys like motorbikes, then on Sunday's there are at least 200 bikes lined up and Newcombs has a great BBQ spread. Saturday's there are also a lot of bikes to check out but Sunday is their big day. If your boys like to climb then a short hike to one of the Vetter stations (look out) is a must do too. We've camped up there twice this year already and this year no bear sighting's - common in previous years but according to the Rangers they've moved the bears further away. Enjoy! We're off to El Capitan in two weeks which someone else also recommended.

If you like camping near the beach try Carpinteria. They book early in the year.

My parents are avid campers! But only the kind that offer all the conveniences of a hotel, full power and plumbing, Wi-Fi, cable, etc. Any way, their all time favorite campground is called Pismo Coast Village in Pismo Beach, CA, near San Luis Obispo. My dad has talked my sister and I into a trip of our own there and we leave in 11 days...we can't wait! Check out their website! There is sooo much for kids to do right there on the campground, miniature golf, arcade, two pools, walk to the beach, etc. Their second fav is Newport Dunes, so you're on the right track. Also, for great beach camping check out San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff, CA near San Diego! Awesome and Beautiful! But very hard to get a reservation!

This is a little more north, but it's worth the drive:
El Capitan State Park, Goleta, CA (Santa Barbara)
http://www.santabarbara.com/activities/camping/elcapitan/
http://www.milebymile.com/main/United_States/California/p...

and El Capitan Canyon is just across the street for more luxe "camping" http://www.elcapitancanyon.com/?gclid=CLa1y-XdiJUCFSY1ago...

Hi N.

We go to Morro Bay State Park every year, it is right on the beach in a structured campground. There are showers and flush toilets. There is also Pismo Beach.

Now you would need to make reservations early to usually get a spot. There is also sites with electricity, (those are for Motor Homes),

Have a great day

DK