Welcome to San Diego. With year-round sun and mild temperatures, this Southern California gem is the perfect place to go camping, or better yet, RV camping.
Park your RV at an RV site just outside of San Diego’s top-rated beaches, alongside beautiful state parks, or minutes from popular attractions. Rest assured, when you visit “America’s Finest City,” you’ll have plenty of RV sites to choose from.
After a relaxing trip to the beach, you can trek back to your home base at Silver Strand State Beach RV Park or Campland on the Bay. If you want to be close to the USS Midway Museum or San Diego’s Old Town experience, you can stay at San Diego KOA. And for some lakeside luxury, treat yourself to the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve or Lake Jennings RV Park.
Learn about these parks (and more!) in our roundup of the top eight San Diego RV resorts and campgrounds.
#8: Mission Bay RV Resort
- Location: Mission Bay, San Diego
- Cost: $100+ per night
- RV Size Restrictions: Can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet and larger
- Top Amenities: Full hookups, beachfront sites, pool and spa, clubhouse
- Attractions Nearby: SeaWorld San Diego, Belmont Park, Mission Beach Boardwalk
Located in the heart of Mission Bay, San Diego, this RV resort offers unparalleled waterfront views. It sits right next to De Anza Cove public beach and across from Mission Bay Public Golf Course & Practice Center, making it the perfect base for a beach vacation.
Campers will find full hookups and spacious sites here. There’s a clubhouse for fun, a pool and spa for unwinding, and fire pits available for rent. Wi-Fi is also available throughout the resorts.
#7: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
- Location: Santee, San Diego
- Cost: $62-$111 per night, discounts available for weekly and monthly stays
- RV Size Restrictions: Accommodates RVs 30 feet and up
- Top Amenities: Free wifi, boat rentals, nearby hiking trails and playgrounds
- Attractions Nearby: Santee Lakes, Mission Trails Regional Park, Barona Casino
Whether you’re tent camping or not, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is worth a visit. This privately owned park spans a whopping 190 acres and is home to seven lakes, waterfront cabins, lots of green space, and an RV-friendly campground.
The campground boasts 300 RV sites, including full hook-up sites. And when campers aren’t sleeping under the stars, they can fish, boat, bird watch, bike, and hike.
#6: Silver Strand State Beach RV Park
- Location: Coronado, San Diego
- Cost: Starting at $65
- RV Size Restrictions: Accommodates RVs up to 40 feet
- Top Amenities: Beach access, picnic areas, showers, RV dump station
- Attractions Nearby: Coronado Beach, Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Ferry Landing
Is Coronado Beach on your San Diego bucket list? If so, you’ll want to book a stay at Silver Strand State Beach RV Park. The sites here are located directly on the beach, perfect for watching the sunset or enjoying an evening bonfire. Campers can also spend their day surfing, hiking, or sunbathing. And when the sun has set on your idyllic beach day, you’ll have access to on-site showers, bathrooms, dump stations, picnic tables, and fire pits.
It’s important to note that Silver Strand State Beach only permits self-contained RVs with an enclosed drain system and a portable toilet with a holding tank. The park also imposes RV size restrictions, denying access to RVs exceeding 40 feet in length.
#5: Escondido RV Resort
- Location: Escondido, San Diego
- Cost: Starting at $70
- RV Size Restrictions: The RV must be ten years old or newer. Can only be up to 44 feet in length.
- Top Amenities: Pool, hot tub, clubhouse, fitness center
- Attractions Nearby: San Diego Safari Park, San Diego Discovery Children’s Museum, LEGOLAND
Looking for a relaxing escape? You’ve come to the right place.
Escondido RV Resort offers a tranquil camping experience for those craving some much-needed peace and quiet. For those traveling with family, it’s located near popular attractions such as the famous San Diego Safari Park and the San Diego Discovery Children’s Museum. As a bonus, the resort is beautifully landscaped.
During their stay, guests can take advantage of modern amenities such as full hookups, clean showers, and laundry facilities. There is also a pool, hot tub, fitness center, and clubhouse with a library and cozy fireplace.
#4: Campland on the Bay
- Location: Pacific Beach, San Diego
- Cost: Starting at around $70, prices vary depending on the season and site amenities
- RV Size Restrictions: Accommodates RVs up to 45 feet
- Top Amenities: Waterfront sites, boat launch, arcade, beach access
- Attractions Nearby: Pacific Beach Boardwalk, Crystal Pier, Kate Sessions Park
Pacific Beach, or PB as the locals call it, is a fantastic place to stay if you’re visiting San Diego. This trendy area attracts a diverse crowd and is home to funky boutiques, tasty food, and lively bars. Make your reservation at Campland on the Bay to be close to PB while enjoying a dreamy beachfront stay.
This family-oriented RV park is a hub for group bonfires, live music, and water sports. Other amenities include beach and bay access, a marina, a swimming lagoon, a fitness center, and full hookups for a comfortable stay.
#3: San Diego Metro KOA
- Location: Chula Vista, San Diego
- Cost: Prices vary greatly depending on the type of site and season, but usually upwards of $90 a night
- RV Size Restrictions: Can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet
- Top Amenities: Pool and spa, on-site cafe, climbing wall, playground, meeting room
- Attractions Nearby: USS Midway Museum, San Diego’s Old Town, Cabrillo National Monument
You can never go wrong with a KOA RV resort. This chain has privately owned campgrounds, known for their luxurious amenities and the sense of community they cultivate. San Diego Metro KOA is no different.
This resort is home to swimming pools, mini-golf, a climbing wall, ping-pong tables, and an on-site cafe.
This provides a modern glamping experience and can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet in length. Although the resort hosts plenty of activities, you can also spend an afternoon touring the USS Midway Museum or exploring San Diego’s Old Town, both of which are just a short drive away.
#2: South Carlsbad State Beach
- Location: Carlsbad, San Diego
- Cost: Starting at $50
- RV Size Restrictions: Accommodates RVs up to 35 feet
- Top Amenities: Beach access, picnic areas, clean restrooms, showers
- Attractions Nearby: Carlsbad Village, Carlsbad Premium Outlets, LEGOLAND
South Carlsbad State Beach RV Park is another top choice for beach lovers. This park is nestled along the Carlsbad coastline, where guests enjoy direct beach access and stunning ocean views. Here, expect to watch beautiful sunsets right from your RV.
The park features more than 200 RV sites and is equipped with various amenities, including restroom and shower facilities, a camp store for basic needs, and a dump station.
Visitors can partake in a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking the local trails, swimming in the ocean, surfing the waves, and fishing.
#1: Lake Jennings RV Park
- Location: Lakeside, San Diego
- Cost: Starting at $53
- RV Size Restrictions: Can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet
- Top Amenities: Full hookups, lakeside sites, fishing, hiking trails
- Attractions Nearby: Lake Jennings, Barona Resort & Casino, Viejas Casino & Resort
Last but certainly not least, Lake Jennings RV Park offers a serene environment perfect for nature enthusiasts. The park is located in Lakeside, about 30 minutes from downtown San Diego. Guests can enjoy spacious sites with full hookups. There is complimentary Wi-Fi, top-of-the-line shower and restroom facilities, and an on-site camping store–elevating your overall camping experience.
Besides fishing, hiking, and birdwatching, guests can also play outdoor games, like life-size Jenga, cornhole, and tetherball–all while enjoying Lakeside’s tranquility and natural beauty.
Resources for Your Adventure
If an RV adventure is on your horizon, here are some links that might be helpful:
- Top 10 Best RV Apps to Enhance Your Road Trip Adventures
- Top Picks: The Best RV GPS Systems for Effortless Navigation
- The Best RV Internet Options for RV Living & Camping
- The Best RV Road Trip Routes: RVing Across America
- The Best RV Camping in California: Where to Park Your Home on Wheels
Summary
The RV life isn’t for everyone, but if this lifestyle calls your name, you’re in for a treat. Living out of an RV for a period of time is a fantastic way to see the world and gain new experiences.
If you’re considering buying an RV, just remember that it requires maintenance and long-term storage. Some RV owners might need to rent storage units for winter storage. Others park their vehicles in their neighborhood, thanks to peer-to-peer storage marketplaces like Neighbor.
