Seaside Camping on the California Coast
Since the majority of the California coastline is protected year round within the wildlife preserves, you can’t just go camping at any seaside you really feel like pitching a tent on. You will get fined and/or arrested so don’t do it. But there are lots of stunning beaches exactly where you can enjoy some of the best seaside hiking and outdoor activities that Mother Nature has to offer.
California’s rugged coastline is well-known for its breathtaking beauty and spectacular sunsets. If you are in Southern California hiking is greatest from mid June until late December when the weather is usually gorgeous each and every day.
One of the nicest beaches for seaside hiking is San Clemente State Seaside which is about fifty miles south of Los Angeles off of Interstate 5 close to the town of San Clemente. This is a truly beautiful and very wide beach that is well-known for its great surf. There is lots to do in the area with numerous pretty seaside towns to explore for dining, shopping and entertainment. You are able to do some beach hiking there and they even have some trailer hook ups for your RV. You’ll need to make reservations in advance.
Just south of Santa Barbara you’ll find excellent seaside camping at Carpinteria State Seaside. These protected bluffs and marshlands come right up towards the gorgeous dunes to produce a pristine habitat for birds and other animals. Carpinteria has a reputation as the “safest” beach in California even though the surf is superb, the undertow doesn’t begin until way out past the surf line.
Close to the twin domes of the inactive San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant there lies the really beautiful San Onofre State Seaside. This is a great place for hikers, campers, and surfers and is really a very well-liked beach camping spot. There are lots of great nearby restaurants and also shopping for those who want a little more diversion.
There’s certainly great beach hiking in Southern California and you don’t need to go far to enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The rugged coastline will make you a fan forever.
