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Ryan Robinson highlining Looking glass arch

Ryan's Story

Highlining in Moab

Ryan Robinson takes you for a ride in the passenger seat of his RV, off the grid, deep among the dramatic rock formations of the Utah Desert. Robinson and friends chill by the fire, tell stories, and of course, rig a one of a kind highline over the Looking Glass Arch in Moab, UT.

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San Francisco RV Resort Thousand Trails

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Go RVing To These West Coast Campgrounds

Check out these campgrounds along the West Coast, as recommended by Jeff Crider!

Jeff Crider
Jeff Crider
4 MIN READ

The Western States are famous for their hot summers, but there are campgrounds and RV resorts along the Pacific Coast where RV enthusiasts can not only find scenic views and cool ocean breezes, but private beaches and watercraft rentals.

Here’s a sampling of 20 waterfront campgrounds along the West Coast, from Southern California to the San Juan Islands in northwest Washington, where you can cool off while creating memories to last a lifetime.
 

  • Campland on the Bay in San Diego: This park features RV sites as well as “supersites”—luxurious RV sites with private patios, grills and Jacuzzis and a view of a nearby wildlife sanctuary. Additional amenities include al fresco dining, an onsite market, dog park, playground, skateboard park, and year-round onshore and aquatic recreation activities. Watercraft rentals are also available. 
     
  • Dockweiler Beach RV Park in El Segundo: Although this Los Angeles County campground is right next to the flightpath of Los Angeles International Airport, it’s also right next to Dockweiler Beach and one of the most popular beach bike paths in Southern California, which traces the Pacific Coast southward to Redondo Beach and northward to Santa Monica. Campsites are paved and include water, sewer, and electrical service. Bathrooms and showers are also available.
     
  • Malibu RV in Malibu: This oceanfront park includes both RV and tent sites. Campsite amenities include picnic tables and charcoal grills. Bathrooms and showers are available along with a convenience store that sells food and beverages.
     
  • Marina Dunes RV Resort in Marina: This pet friendly park, which is next to the Marina Dunes Preserve, features RV sites and furnished park model rentals. Onsite amenities include a clubhouse and fitness center.
     
  • Mission Bay RV Resort in San Diego: Overlooking the shores of De Anza Cove, scenic RV sites are steps from the sandy beach and calm, waveless waters. Mission Bay RV Resort offers showers, restrooms, laundry facilities and full hook-ups with complimentary access to additional resort amenities and activities at nearby sister property, Campland on the Bay.
     
  • Morro Dunes RV Park in Morro Bay: This RV campground is across the street from Atascadero Beach coastline and has views of iconic Morro Rock.
     
  • Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in Newport Beach: This pet-friendly RV resort is located along a protected bay in the harbor at Newport Beach. The resort also has luxurious park model cottage rentals. Onsite amenities include a restaurant that offers lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Activities include movies on the beach and an inflatable floating structure for the kids. Sailboats, pedal boats, kayaks, and electric boats are available for rent.
     
  • Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground in Oceano: This 215-site RV park is within walking distance of the beach and the Oceano Dunes, an 18-mile-long stretch of sand dunes that were once inhabited by the Chumash Indians.
     
  • Paradise by the Sea RV Resort in Oceanside: This 91-site park, located 4 minutes on foot from the beach, has picnic tables at each campsite. Surfboard, boogie board and bike rentals are available. Other amenities include a heated pool and spa.
     
  • San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica: This park is situated on a 60-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with amazing sunset views. This park is also just 15 miles south of the Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, and many other San Francisco Bay area destinations.
     
  • South Calsbad State Beach Campground in Carlsbad: This State Park campground in northern San Diego County features 212 sites, many of which are on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Stairs lead to the beach, which offers swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. Campground showers are token operated (tokens available on site).
     
  • Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay in Chula Vista: This park is adjacent to a 552-slip marina. Resort amenities include a large swimming pool with cabanas and splashpad as well as a poolside movie screen and Jacuzzi spa. At the resort’s Getaway Cafe, guests can enjoy fresh Mexican and Southern Californian cuisine, sip tequila and watch the sunset over San Diego Bay from the outdoor patio. The resort also has an indoor/outdoor fitness center.
     
  • Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara: This campground, formerly known as Ocean Mesa Campground, is perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean about 20 miles west of Santa Barbara.
     
  • Ventura Beach RV Park in Ventura: This 144-site park is close to the beach and has bike rentals, arcade games as well as an outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, showers, and Wi-Fi service. The park also has 36 tent sites with water and electricity hookups as well as 34 additional sites without hookups.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in Newport Beach
Photo courtesy of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina

 

  • Thousand Trails Pacific City in Cloverdale: This 305-site central Oregon park features ocean views, nature trails, fishing, clamming, surfing and beach combing as top activities.
     
  • Waldport / Newport KOA Journey in Waldport: This KOA sits above picturesque Alsea Bay and offers views of Alsea Bay, Waldport’s historical bridge and the Pacific Ocean. Reserve America has twice listed this park on a list of “America's Top 50 Views.” Alsea Bay is one of Oregon’s top sites for crabbing, clamming, and fishing.
Pacific City Thousand Trails
Photo courtesy of Equity Lifestyle Properties

 

  • Lakedale in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island: Situated on 82 wooded acres with three spring-water lakes, the property is nestled between Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington state. It is easily accessible by ferry or plane. The campground features RV and tent sites and a variety of rental accommodations.
     
  • Thousand Trails Long Beach in Sea View: This campground is  just 1,200 feet from the Pacific Ocean and a dog-friendly beach. Park amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, hiking trails, and a bike bath.
     
  • Thousand Trails Oceana in Ocean City: This park offers oceanfront frontage and miles of sandy beaches to explore. During state-approved clamming seasons, Oceana RV Campground is in the heart of razor clam country. In nearby Ocean Shores, there are bike and moped rentals along with horseback riding on the beach. 
     
  • West Beach Resort on Orcas Island: Guests at this resort enjoy fishing and crabbing off the park’s pier. Guests may catch shiner perch, pile perch, kelp greenling, or even a salmon or lingcod! West Beach Resort is home to many creatures. Common sightings are bald eagles, blue heron, king fishers, osprey, jumping salmon, harbor seals, porpoises, and otters. Sometimes small sharks and skates patrol beneath our pier at night along with the occasional orca and humpback whale in our bay.
Jeff Crider

Author

Jeff Crider

Jeff Crider, President and CEO of Crider Public Relations, has been involved in covering the campground industry for over 25 years. Jeff has worked as a freelance writer for publications such as RV Business, Motor Home Magazine, Trailer Life, Highways and other Affinity Group Inc. publications since 1995. He has also successfully pitched many of the nation's top tier media outlets, including CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, The Financial Times, Reuters, The Associated Press and National Public Radio. In addition to writing, Jeff is also a talented photographer and humanitarian. 

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