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Camping at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground: What to Know Before You Go
Throughout my entire childhood, we always spent at least one week of the summer going beach camping. We switched it up from time to time–some years camping at South Carlsbad State Beach campground, and other years camping at San Elijo, San Clemente or Doheny. But South Carlsbad was always my personal favorite for a variety of reasons. Of all the Southern California beach campgrounds, it had one of the nicest sandy beaches. It didn’t have the steep hike down to the sand like San Clemente. It didn’t have the train noise that San Elijo used to have (it’s so much better now). And it had better waves than Doheny. If…
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Camping at San Clemente State Beach: Your Guide to Booking a Site
If you’re looking for a Southern California camping spot that checks all the boxes—ocean views, easy beach access, and a laid-back, family-friendly vibe—San Clemente State Beach deserves a spot at the top of your list. This campground blends classic SoCal surf culture with well-maintained amenities, making it a favorite for both first-time campers and seasoned pros. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your stay at this popular summer family campground. Why Camp at San Clemente State Beach? There’s something special about waking up to ocean air and the sound of waves—and this campground delivers exactly that. Perched on coastal bluffs in San Clemente, the campground offers sweeping views…
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Camping at Doheny: Tips for a Perfect Beach Getaway
If you’re looking for that perfect mix of easy beach access, laid-back SoCal vibes, and family-friendly camping, Doheny State Beach campground should absolutely be on your radar. It’s one of the most sought-after beach camping spots in Southern California. And for good reason. You’re literally camping right by the ocean, with sunsets, surf, and sand just steps from your site. Let’s get into everything you need to know before booking your stay at Doheny State Beach campground. Why Doheny State Beach Campground is So Popular There’s a reason this campground books up fast (and I mean FAST). The most obvious one is just that beach camping is one of the…
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The Best Summer Camping Destinations in California That Families Love
I don’t think I’ve gone one summer of my life without a camping trip. And I hope I never do. There’s just something about summer camping in California that hits differently. Maybe it’s the way you can wake up under towering redwoods one day, spend the next kayaking on an alpine lake, and then wrap up your trip with sandy toes at the beach. Or maybe it’s just the slower pace—sticky s’mores fingers, late sunsets, and kids who somehow forget about screens for a few days. If you’re trying to plan the ultimate summer camping trip, California is packed with bucket-list destinations. The tricky part? Narrowing it down. And getting…
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Summer Vacation Ideas for Families (2026 Guide)
I’m a teacher, so I pretty much live for summer break if I’m being honest. Eight weeks of an almost wide-open calendar (I mean, we still have sports to work around) for me to plan travel adventures. We’ve made good use of our summer vacations so far. I know not everyone has the luxury of having the summer off. So whether you have three days to spare or ten, this guide will help you find the right summer vacation ideas for families of every size and style. Here are some of our favorite tried-and-true summer vacation ideas for families looking to make some magical summer memories in 2026. What makes…
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Camping at Leo Carrillo State Park: Beach Meets Mountains
We honestly couldn’t decide what to do for spring break this year. I booked a big summer trip for us, so we didn’t want to do a huge trip. But we wanted to do something. So, we decided to hit up a few different spots along the California coast, and our first stop at Leo Carrillo campground set the bar high for the rest of the trip. If you’re looking for that perfect Southern California camping experience—where you can fall asleep under shady trees and wake up to the sound of crashing waves—Leo Carrillo State Park Campground absolutely delivers. Tucked just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, this spot…
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Best Campgrounds in Yosemite Valley
Getting campsites in Yosemite Valley is so difficult, most people are happy with anything they can get. And understandably so because camping in Yosemite Valley is amazing no matter where you stay. You’ll find some of the best campgrounds in Northern California here. But if you want to have a shot at securing a campsite, you need to be totally prepared. That means knowing the best campgrounds in Yosemite so you know which campground you want to book your site at. Let me paint you a picture real quick: It’s 6:50 in the morning on February 15. You log into recreation.gov and you wait until 6:59 staring at a list…
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Best Family Campgrounds in Riverside County, California
I’m not sure what time of year you’re reading this, but at the time I am writing this, it’s January–just starting the new year. And while some people might think I’m crazy, this is the time of year that I start planning all of our summer camping trips. That’s because the best campgrounds in California tend to book up months in advance. I’ve done previous posts about my favorite beach campgrounds and lake campgrounds, but now I want to share all of my favorite Riverside campgrounds because these are truly hidden gems–and yet, they are somehow much easier to book than many of the state parks. Riverside County has some…
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Camping at Lake Hemet, CA
Nestled between Idyllwild and Anza is where you will find the Lake Hemet Campground in Mountain Center, CA. We decided to go camping at Lake Hemet for a quick weekend getaway with a few other families. The booking process was straightforward and it was easy to get campsites next to each other. If you’re just starting to get into camping, this is a great campground to try due to the many amenities there and the ease of getting spots. Definitely check out my list of camping essentials if you’re new to camping. Because we were just going for the weekend, and because we were going in April when it was…
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Camping Near Lake Vs Beach
I had someone ask me yesterday if I prefer camping near lake or beach more. That’s a super tough one–I love them both! And I grew up beach camping every year, so for most of my life, that was all I knew. There are pros and cons to both, but mostly pros in my opinion. If I had to choose only one to do for the rest of my existence, I think I would have to choose camping near lakes. However I know my husband would choose beach camping without hesitation. Here’s what I feel are the biggest pros and cons to both. Beach Camping Pros Relaxing – I’ll start…
