What is it about California that calls you? Is it the gorgeous, sunny, and 75-degree coastal weather? Is it the ancient Sequoias that predate all known peoples in that region? Or do the strange Joshua Trees beckon to you from afar?
Whether you’re plotting an epic California road trip or want a new place to explore, the best RV camping in California has your next RV adventure in the wings.
What Makes These California RV Parks the Best?
To bring you the best California has to offer, we chose these RV parks in California based on these four areas:
- Access: How easy is it to access the park, and how easily can you access nearby attractions
- Setting: How well is the RV campground set into its surroundings? Is it maintained well?
- Local Attractions: Are there cool things around to fill your days?
- Amenities: Can you enjoy your stay at the RV campground without going anywhere? What types of hookups are provided?
Each of the best RV campgrounds in California will have its own unique charm, so you really can’t go wrong choosing any of the locations on this list.
Southern California RV Hotspots
So Cal is home to…
- Beautiful beaches,
- Excellent surfing,
- Historical sites,
- San Diego Zoo
- SeaWorld and LEGOLand
- And delectable food on every corner.
Here are two of the best places to park your RV and enjoy it.
#1: Campland on the Bay
Situated in downtown San Diego, Campland on the Bay stands out with its welcoming atmosphere and a full suite of amenities, including an off-the-leash dog park, a children’s playground, a skate park, pools, and summer music entertainment. You can also rent water sports equipment for a day of kayaking or paddleboarding.
Seriously, you never have to leave the park to enjoy yourself.
But what’s more is that Campland on the Bay provides easy access to local attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and – of course – the Pacific Ocean.
Campland is accessible to all RV classes, but they do not accommodate conversion vans or buses.
Big Pro: All-in-one park, you never have to leave.
Cons: Parking spots are close together
#2: Paradise By the Sea RV Resort
For a beachfront experience, Paradise By The Sea RV Resort is an excellent choice. Unique for being Southern California’s only beach RV resort, it features a heated swimming pool and is strategically located near coastal towns–as well as transportation that can take you down to San Diego or into L.A.
The communal fire pits and fully equipped recreation room offer spaces to mingle with friends (and even make new ones). Whether you’re looking to surf the waves or build sandcastles with the kids, Paradise By The Sea has got you covered.
Big Pro: Only beachfront RV resort in SoCal
Con: Longer travel time to other attractions
Northern California RV Gems
While Southern California has you looking across rolling blue waves and city landscapes, Northern California keeps you looking up. Northern California is home to natural wonders like Shasta Lake, the Redwoods, and the southernmost active dome volcano, Lassen Peak.
Northern California is for you if you want to enjoy time in nature, away from the buzz and hum of city lights.
#1: Casini Ranch Family Campground
This perfect summer destination near Santa Barbara is an all-in-one experience for your family to enjoy. There’s ample space to explore with…
- Hiking trails,
- Fishing on the Russian River,
- Canoeing,
- Sportsfields,
- and even an ice cream parlor to enjoy.
Whether it’s the rustle of leaves underfoot or the sweet scent of pine in the air, the park’s natural beauty is sure to captivate you.
Big Pro: Family-friendly, all-in-one park
Con: No attractions nearby
#2: Sue-Meg State Park
One square mile. That’s how big this park is, but it’s a hidden gem. It’s close enough to Redwoods National Park to be a good base camp, but it’s on the rocky coast. You can watch sea lions and do some whale watching right there on shore–if the season is right, of course.
When staying at Sue-Meg State Park, you can also wander down and search the tide pools for agate rocks and all sorts of sea creatures.
Overall, this top pick serves as an excellent base for RV campers exploring Redwood National Park. It offers:
- Forested sites that accommodate RVs up to 31 feet
- An on-site dump station
- Privacy: This one is a small and off-the-beaten path park.
- Ocean-view hikes that showcase the area’s natural splendor
From the whisper of the wind through the towering redwoods to the roar of the ocean waves, Northern California provides a rich tapestry of scenic beauty for RV campers.
Big Pro: Small and not crowded
Con: not a lot of amenities
National Park Adventures for RVers
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. What about Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree? Are you just going to skip over the country’s most beloved National Parks?
Fear not. These national treasures deserve their own category. Certainly, staying at one of these majestic, awe-inspiring parks is an experience everyone should do once in their lives. So if you’re ready to check it off your list, then here are our top four picks for RVer-friendly National Parks in California.
From the stunning waterfalls of Yosemite to the stark desert landscapes of Death Valley and the unique rock formations of Joshua Tree, these parks offer extensive hiking opportunities, awe-inspiring scenery, and unforgettable camping adventures.
Big Pro: Non-stop adventure and immersion in natural beauty. The perfect setting.
Con: No hookups
#1: Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is 759,620 acres of pristine wilderness. It spans four counties, so naturally, there are 13 RV parks for you to choose from. But it is also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so make your reservations early.
Picture staying in sight of the iconic cliffs and waterfalls of Yosemite. That’s why the Upper Pines Campground is one of the most sought-after RV camping areas.
Wawona Campground and Hodgdon Meadow provide RVers with scenic camping experiences in a more secluded setting. The spacious meadows, meandering river, and towering sequoias provide an unforgettable backdrop for your Yosemite adventure.
#2: Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is your gateway to galaxies far, far away. Tour the unearthly landscapes (that brought movies like Star Wars to life) during the day. And then, when the sun sets behind the Sierras, look to the skies.
Death Valley is one of the darkest places on Earth–meaning it’s perfect for peering deep into space to view other galaxies.
Stovepipe Wells Village is a private RV resort within the park that boasts convenient amenities and breathtaking views of the valley and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. Whether you’re watching the sunrise over the sand dunes or exploring the park’s unique geology, Stovepipe Wells Village provides a comfortable base for your desert adventure.
#3: Joshua Tree National Park
For another rustic desert experience, there’s Joshua Tree National Park. Nestled in Twentynine Palms, the Jumbo Rocks Campground offers a unique camping experience amidst famous desert areas with strange and beautiful rock formations.
Bouldering at Joshua Tree attracts families because the boulders are perfect for the kids to practice their climbing skills.
While the campground is primitive, offering vault toilets and no showers, it accommodates RVs up to 35 feet and provides fire rings and private grills for a true camping experience.
Summary
At the end of the day, the best camping in California depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to bathe in grandeur and bask in California’s natural beauty, then staying at the National Parks is for you.
But if you prefer having full hookups and convenient amenities within the campground, then you’ll enjoy staying at one of the privately owned RV parks, perfect for extended stays.
And when you return, after you clean out your camper and perform the proper maintenance, you’ll need to look for a better place to store your RV.
You’ve been storing it in your backyard, but you want to find covered storage, as covered storage that will block UV rays and lessen the chances of debris oxidation.
That’s where Neighbor can help.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace where you can find safe, affordable storage that’s close to your home.
You can browse the different RV spaces near you here.
