Best Family Camping in Southern California (Beach, Mountain & Desert Sites)

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I am constantly planning a family camping trip in Southern California. With everything from beachfront campgrounds to mountain retreats and desert adventures, this region offers some of the best camping experiences for families. And I am so lucky to call it home.

My family loves to camp. I grew up camping (although we really only went to the beach or desert), and I knew it was something I would want to continue doing with my kiddos. Luckily here in San Diego, there are so many great family campgrounds and the weather allows us to get trips in all year long. The list below includes some of my favorite spots to plan a family camping trip.

In this guide to family camping in Southern California, we’re sharing the best campgrounds, kid-friendly spots, and helpful tips to make your trip easy, fun, and memorable. These family campgrounds provide endless entertainment options to keep everyone entertained. And they have amenities that don’t require you to completely rough it–ideal for camping with babies and kids.

Some of these campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during spring and summer breaks. If you need help securing a spot or searching for cancellations, be sure to check out my favorite campground app. It’ll show you campsite availability and even snag cancellations for you!

Types of Family Camping in Southern California

Southern California offers a wide range of camping experiences, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your family.

• Beach Camping – Wake up steps from the ocean at popular spots like San Elijo and Doheny State Beach.
• Mountain Camping – Escape the heat with cooler temperatures and pine forests in places like Big Bear and Idyllwild.
• Desert Camping – Experience wide-open spaces and incredible stargazing in areas like Joshua Tree and Anza-Borrego.

Each type of camping offers a completely different experience, so choosing the right one depends on your family’s preferences.

1. Leo Carrillo State Park (Malibu)

• Location: Just north of Malibu, along the Pacific Coast Highway.
• Highlights: Leo Carrillo is unique because it offers a mix of beach and forest camping, with one of the best beaches in Los Angeles just a short walk from the campsites. Kids can explore tide pools, caves, and a sandy beach–although the water tends to be a bit cold here. There are also hiking trails, and the campground offers picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms with showers. Some campsites offer hookups as well. We loved the camp store and even left with some fun souvenir t-shirts!
• Activities: Beachcombing, swimming, surfing, and hiking.
• Reservations: Up to 6 months in advance. Click here to make reservations.

Click to read my complete guide to camping at Leo Carrillo. And if you don’t score a spot here, check out these other great campgrounds in Malibu.

2. San Elijo State Beach (Encinitas) – Our favorite beach campground for family camping

• Location: In Encinitas
• Highlights: This campground sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean, offering stunning views and easy beach access. The beach is perfect for swimming, surfing, and tide pooling. The campgrounds are equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms with showers. Some of the campsites have full hook ups, and there are conveniences in walking distance (grocery store, fast food, 7-11, Starbucks, etc.)
• Activities: Surfing, snorkeling, and exploring the nearby town of Encinitas.
• Reservations: Up to 6 months in advance. Click here to make reservations.

Click here to read more information about San Elijo State Beach Campground. It’s one of my personal favorite beach campgrounds, however there are lots of great beach campgrounds in San Diego!

3. Lake Hemet Campground (San Jacinto Mountains)

• Location: In the San Jacinto Mountains, near Idyllwild. This is one of my favorite Riverside County campgrounds.
• Highlights: Lake Hemet offers a beautiful lakeside camping experience with plenty of water activities like fishing, kayaking, and paddle boating. The campground is spacious and had lots of open spaces for the kids to play. Plus there are amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, sports courts and a swimming area in the lake during the summer.
• Activities: Fishing, hiking, boating, and wildlife watching.
• Reservations: Can be made more than a year in advance. Click here for reservations.

Click here to read more information about Lake Hemet Campground.

4. Joshua Tree National Park – Jumbo Rocks Campground – Family camping in the desert

• Location: Inside Joshua Tree National Park.
• Highlights: Jumbo Rocks is known for its massive boulders and unique desert landscape, and my kids absolutely loved climbing on all the boulders. The campsites are basic but well-maintained, offering picnic tables and fire rings, but no running water or showers, so come prepared. There’s little to no cell service in the park. If Jumbo Rocks is already full, check out these other great Joshua Tree campgrounds.
• Activities: Rock climbing, stargazing, hiking. Skull Rock is an easy walk away from Jumbo Rocks campground.
• Reservations: Can be made up to 6 months in advance. Click here for reservations.

Click here to read more about Jumbo Rocks Campground. It’s also on my list of the best fall campgrounds in Southern California.

5. Agua Caliente County Park Campground (Julian/ Ocotillo Area)

• Location: Between Julian and Ocotillo (between the 8 and the 78).
• Highlights: Hot springs swimming pools, adults-only hot-spring, full hook-up sites, cabins on site, bathrooms, hiking trails and nearby mud caves to explore. Note that cell service at this campground is very limited to non-existent depending on your carrier.
• Activities: Hiking, swimming.
• Reservations: Can be made up to 1 year in advance. Click here for reservations.

Click here to read more about the Agua Caliente campground as well as information about the nearby mud caves.

6. Malibu Creek State Park (Calabasas)

• Location: In the Santa Monica Mountains, near Malibu.
• Highlights: This park offers a more rustic camping experience with beautiful mountain scenery and lots of hiking trails. The campground is equipped with restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings, and is known for its scenic views and proximity to Malibu.
• Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, exploring nearby rock pools, visiting Malibu’s beaches and birdwatching.
• Reservations: Up to 6 months in advance. Click here for reservations.

7. Yucaipa Regional Park Campground (San Bernardino County) – Family camping with a water park

• Location: Yucaipa
• Highlights: Full hook-up sites available, spacious campsites, play structures, frisbee golf course, swim complex with water slides, lake for fishing and pedal boats.
• Activities: Swimming, nearby hiking trails, fishing.
• Reservations: Up to a year in advance. Click here to make reservations.

Click here to read more about Yucaipa Regional Park Campground.

8. Lake Perris State Recreation Area (Riverside County)

• Location: In Riverside County, near Moreno Valley.
• Highlights: Lake Perris offers a variety of activities for families, including swimming, boating, fishing, horseback riding and hiking. The campground is well-maintained with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, and showers. It’s also close to the Ya’i Heki’ Regional Indian Museum, which can be an educational stop for kids.
• Activities: Boating, fishing, hiking, and visiting the museum.
• Reservations: Up to 6 months in advance. Click here to make reservations.

9. Doheny State Beach (Dana Point)

• Location: In Dana Point, just of the PCH.
• Highlights: Doheny State Beach offers beachside camping with easy access to the sand and surf. The coastal campsites are directly on the sand of the beach. The campground has amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms with showers, but there are no hook-up sites. The beach is great for swimming, surfing, and exploring tide pools.
• Activities: Surfing, beachcombing, swimming, and exploring Dana Point Harbor.
• Reservations: Up to 6 months in advance. Click here to make reservations.

10. Vail Lake KOA Campground (Temecula) – Family camping with many amenities

• Location: About 10 miles east of Temecula
• Highlights: Full hook-up sites, lots of activities on site including holiday events, a bar and restaurant, a general store, swimming pools, play structures, restrooms and showers. Cabins and glamping tents available. There is no lake access from the campground–it is a private lake.
• Activities: Mountain biking, hiking, swimming, mini golf.
• Nearby Wineries: Many of the Temecula wineries are kid friendly and can make for a fun outing.
• Reservations: You can book up to 6 months in advance. Click here to make reservations.

11. Refugio State Beach (Goleta)

• Location: 20 miles west of Santa Barbara.
• Highlights: Refugio State Beach is known for its palm-lined beaches and peaceful environment. The campground is well-equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms with showers, and lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer. The beach is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and relaxing.
• Activities: Swimming, kayaking, beachcombing, and hiking.
• Reservations: Up to 6 months in advance. Click here to make reservations.

12. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort (Newport Beach) – Family camping with lots of amenities

• Location: On the Back Bay in Newport Beach, about 50 miles south of Los Angeles
• Highlights: Full hook-up RV sites, beachfront location, private cottages available, onsite bar and restaurant, general store, heated pool and hot tub, playground, clean restrooms and showers, seasonal holiday events, and a floating inflatable water park (summer only)
• Activities: Swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Duffy boat rentals, beach volleyball, bike paths, and outdoor movie nights
• Reservations: Book online up to 12 months in advance. Click here to make reservations.

Read more about the Newport Dunes campground here.

Best Family Campgrounds in Southern California by Category

Top Beach Campgrounds

• San Elijo State Beach
• Doheny State Beach

Best Mountain Campgrounds

• Serrano Campground (Big Bear)
• Idyllwild County Park

Top Desert Campgrounds

• Jumbo Rocks Campground (Joshua Tree)
• Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

Best Campground Amenities

• Yucaipa Regional Park
• Newport Dunes
• Lake Hemet

These campgrounds are known for their family-friendly amenities and scenic locations.

Best Time for Family Camping in Southern California

• Spring: Ideal weather, fewer crowds
• Summer: Best for beach camping, but book early
• Fall: Warm weather and less crowded campgrounds – check out my favorite camping spots in the fall
• Winter: Great for desert camping like Joshua Tree

Southern California’s diverse climate means you can camp year-round, depending on the location.

How to Choose the Best Family Campground

When planning a camping trip with kids, consider:

• Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, and playgrounds
• Location: Beach vs. mountains vs. desert
• Accessibility: Drive-in vs. hike-in sites (all of these campgrounds offer drive-in, which is my preference for family camping)
• Crowds: Popular spots book quickly
• Activities nearby: Hiking, biking, water activities

Choosing the right campground can make your trip much more enjoyable for everyone.

Tips for Camping with Kids in Southern California

• Pack layers—temperatures can vary widely
• Bring bikes or scooters for campground exploring
• Choose campgrounds with activities or nearby attractions
• Book early, especially for beach campgrounds
• Keep meals simple and kid-friendly

Camping with kids can be an unforgettable experience with a little preparation.

FAQs About Family Camping in Southern California

What is the best campground in Southern California for families?

Popular options include beach campgrounds like San Elijo and mountain spots like Big Bear.

Do you need reservations for camping in Southern California?

Yes, most popular campgrounds require reservations and can book up months in advance.

Is Southern California good for camping with kids?

Absolutely! With beaches, mountains, and deserts, there are options for every type of family.

When should I book camping in Southern California?

Reservations typically open 6 months in advance and fill quickly for peak seasons.

Why Southern California is Perfect for Family Camping

Southern California is one of the few places where you can camp by the beach, in the mountains, or in the desert—all within a few hours’ drive. This variety makes it an ideal destination for families looking to try different types of outdoor adventures.

Final Thoughts on the Best Spots for Family Camping

Each of these campgrounds offers unique experiences for families, from beachside fun to mountain adventures, making Southern California a great destination for family camping trips.

If you are able to secure a spot at any of these campgrounds, be sure to pack along these recommended family camping gear items. I also have a list of easy camping meals, my favorite camping games, and everything you need to plan an outdoor movie night. Your next family camping trip is going to be epic!

For more of my favorite family campgrounds that are outside of Southern California, check out:

• Pinecrest Lake in Stanislaus National Forest
• The Best Northern California Family Campgrounds
• Oh Ridge Campground in June Lake
• The Best Lake Tahoe Campgrounds
• Family Camping in Yosemite

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