California's Top 5 Beaches For Winter Camping Adventures, According To Reviews

When it comes to California, bright beach days are sure to come to mind — it is the Golden State, after all. And while sun and surf are usually things to be enjoyed during the summer, the truth is that the West Coast has a lot to offer those looking to enjoy the great outdoors, no matter the season. While California's most famous national park, Yosemite, is home to breathtaking waterfalls, we're going to focus on another type of waterfront: the most desirable beaches for camping in the off-season, because nothing beats the sound of waves crashing right outside your tent.

California is a state that's known for its mild temperatures, but that doesn't mean it never gets cold. The best winter destinations in California for a weekend getaway, according to visitors, may not typically include pitching a tent, but there are compelling reasons not to keep all of your outdoor adventures for the more temperate weather. Camping off-season will offer a variety of sights, sounds, and experiences that you'll miss out on if you're not brave enough to endure some chilly nights, and may also come with the added benefit of fewer crowds. 

We've scoured online reviews written by people who have experienced these places firsthand, and there are some specific campgrounds you won't want to miss if you're someone who likes to enjoy nature with a side of seasonal solitude. Read on to learn about the best winter camping options all over the state, including sites accessible from Los Angeles, some places to stop in Santa Barbara County, a special spot in Sonoma, and, finally, the best of what the legendary Big Sur area has to offer. 

For those looking to camp in Southern California, and, more specifically, near the entertainment destination of Los Angeles, Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu may just be the perfect spot. With additional proximity to Santa Barbara, this campground is often in high demand, so reservations are recommended, but visiting in the off-season will help with avoiding crowds. 

The camp offers over 130 campsites, but not all of them are created equal. While you'll find features like fire rings and picnic tables to be standard, sites equipped with electrical hookups will go quickly, so be sure to request one at the time of booking. As an added bonus, the grounds offer coin-operated showers, a feature that's sure to feel like a luxury while spending time in the great outdoors. Situated on the other side of Highway 1, this popular spot also offers welcome shade from a sycamore grove. 

The beach itself boasts one and a half miles of protected coastline, including a dog-friendly section. "Great beach to take the dog to," one Tripadvisor reviewer writes. "Dog-friendly beaches are rare in the LA area, so this one is worth the extra effort to get to." And for the more adventurous visitors, there are plenty of areas to explore. "Leo Carrillo State Beach is a rugged Malibu classic!" another reviewer raves. "It's famous for its amazing sea caves and tide pools where you can spot crabs and anemones at low tide." Finally, those interested in hiking should take care not to miss the Nicholas Flat Trail, which begins right on site.

While the proximity to some of California's most well-known cities is one of Leo Carrillo State Park's biggest draws, parts of Santa Barbara County offer almost the opposite in appeal as home to one of the 12 best hidden beaches in California for a coastal escape, according to visitors. Perhaps this is why those looking for a bit of solitude will feel right at home in Jalama Beach County Park. 

Access this beautiful stretch of coast by traversing a road with rolling hills, and you won't be disappointed by what you find. This park scores one of the highest review scores on our list with a 4.7 out of five stars on Google, where reviewers confirm that part of its charm lies in being pretty far off the beaten path. "Accidentally stumbled on this and it has been the highlight of my trip. This is a secluded quiet beach, has almost a nostalgic classic American beach feel to it," one review says. "The drive to it is narrow and windy but fully paved and quite fun. ... This is one of those kinds of places you want to keep to yourself because it is so good."

The campsite boasts shared hot showers and nearby water for its 107 individual sites, which are all equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. That being said, only 31 of the sites offer electrical hookups, and while all sites offer ocean and beachfront views, only a small portion actually face the open ocean, so be sure to make any specific requests at booking. Regardless of which site you secure, this special place is sure to provide a haven for those who just want to feel like they are a world away from it all.

Our next selection also sits in Santa Barbara County and is only about a 20-minute drive from Santa Barbara itself. El Capitán State Beach Campground offers a rare mix of both beach and trees, and earns an impressive 4.5 stars on Google. One reviewer shares, "Pretty stunning coastal views; some campsites are closer to the cliff side (and more windy) than others. Bathrooms are brightly lit all night, highway sounds can be loud, but overall a nice, well kept campground that's good for stargazing."

The special upside to camping here in the winter is the opportunity for an extended stay. While campers must keep their reservations to one week from March through the end of November, bookings of up to 15 consecutive days are permitted during the months of December, January, and February. Reservations are a good idea, especially if you have a preference for ocean or shade, or if you need one of the five group camping spaces. If there are any winter storms on the horizon during the duration of your trip, it would be prudent to select a site farther back from the edges of the cliffs overlooking the ocean for added protection from any inclement weather. 

El Capitán State Beach offers a total of 132 standard campsites (all of which are RV accessible) and a variety of trees that include both oak and eucalyptus, as well as proximity to excellent hiking. The Ansio Trail will take you to neighboring Refugio State Beach in about 5 miles, while experienced hikers who really want to get their steps in can opt for the Bill Wallace Trail, which stretches for a 13-mile, round-trip loop, offering a challenging mix of terrain.

Wright's Beach, located in the Sonoma Coast State Park, offers an intimate spot for oceanfront camping. You'll find this gem close to the Kortum Trail, and it takes just steps to reach the beach from its small campground, making it ideal for those looking to commune with nature. 

While most campgrounds mentioned here clock in with site counts over 100, Wright's has only 27. Those looking to camp with an RV should know that there are no hookups, making this campsite best for those with smaller vehicles or tents, and site options may also be impacted during winter storm surges. There are no showers, but campers can access coin-operated showers at the nearby Bodega Dunes Campground. Finally, it's very important to remember the safety aspects of this area, which includes no swimming due to the danger of strong rip tides. 

Positive reviews abound for Wright's Beach, with one Tripadvisor visitor writing, "Whether it's foggy or sunny, it is worth camping there every time. Clean facilities and a small campsite. Very hard to get reservations so if you can get at least one night there you will not be disappointed." They go on to describe specific sites, sharing, "Would recommend any site with on site beach access (1-10). If you don't mind being cozy with your neighbors, reserve any of the other ones designated as premium. You may also consider 21-24." Other insider tips include bringing your own soap for the bathrooms, as none is provided, and bringing warm clothes for the colder night temperatures. And if you have more time to spend on California's Sonoma Coast, be sure to check out the Estero Americano Coast Preserve that has reopened to the public for the first time in 100 years.

The area of Big Sur in California is well known for a reason, easily making the list of 12 beautiful stops along the Pacific Coast Highway for your next road trip. The mountains here are spectacular, and the coastline is prime for seeing once-in-a-lifetime sights like breaching whales.

Although there are two parks in Big Sur offering winter camping, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is where you'll find the area's largest campground, offering 189 RV and tent sites with a seven-night stay limit during peak season. Longer stays are available in the winter, but reservations can fill up as far in advance as six months, even for off-season stays, so you'll want to plan ahead. All sites are located near the Big Sur River, offering another type of waterfront ambiance, and equipped with a parking spot, fire ring, and picnic table. While there are no sites offering hookups, campers will enjoy the added amenities of shared fresh water, hot showers, and toilets situated throughout the grounds.

Tripadvisor rates Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park at No. 4 out of 39 things to do in Big Sur, so it's no surprise the reviews are glowing. "Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a stunning escape into nature, featuring towering redwoods, scenic trails, and peaceful river views," one visitor writes. "The park offers a mix of easy and moderate hikes, making it accessible for all skill levels. The Big Sur River adds to the charm, providing a refreshing spot to relax." With a variety of hiking trails, like the 3-mile loop of Buzzard's Roost, this area is prime for exploration. Visitors can expect to enjoy unique sights like towering waterfalls and the area's famous purple-sand beach. 

To compile our list of the best winter beach campsites in California, we first scoured the internet for blogs and listicles that pertain to winter camping in the Golden State. Everything that made the cut was mentioned a minimum of three times among various lists of winter California camping recommendations from sources that include Backroad Planet, Territory Supply, TMBTENT, and RV Travel, among others.

From there, we narrowed our recommendations down to the spots that hug the beautiful coastline, offering sweeping views and a variety of set-up options, such as a large number of campsites to choose from, with bonus points for those with extra amenities, or features like being RV-friendly.

Finally, we finished narrowing down the options with the criteria we feel adds the most value: the voices of those who have actually visited and camped in these renowned places. Every camping area recommended here has received an overall review score of a 4.3 or higher at the time of publication on either Google or Tripadvisor, each with a review pool of a minimum of 170 write-ups, ensuring these campsites have been well enjoyed by visitors. For even more West Coast camping, check out the best national parks in California for camping adventures, according to visitors.