The best RV parks and campgrounds in California include Newport Dunes in Newport Beach, Pismo Coast Village on the Central Coast, Emerald Desert RV Resort in Palm Desert, and Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes near Yosemite National Park. Each offers full hookups plus resort-style extras like pools, marinas, or direct beach access, and each sits close to a bucket-list California destination.
California doesn’t do anything halfway when it comes to camping options. California offers some of the nation’s most diverse RV camping, with over 280 state parks and nine national parks spread across 840 miles of coastline, redwood forests, mountain ranges, and deserts. That means you can genuinely spend one trip watching whales from a bluff, another parked under 300-foot redwoods, and a third soaking in a hot tub under desert stars. Here are ten parks worth building a trip around, along with what you’ll actually find when you pull in.
1. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina — Newport Beach
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is an elegant beachfront oasis nestled in the heart of Newport Beach, with over 110 acres of golden beach and shimmering gentle waves. This hidden gem features 27 quaint cottages and 372 full hookup RV sites, with family-friendly activities and resort-style amenities.
- Amenities include swimming pools, hot tubs and poolside cabanas, scenic pedestrian & bike trails, clubhouse, beach volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, and planned activities.
- A marina and 6-lane boat launch with kayak, paddleboard, and Duffy boat rentals.
Official site: newportdunes.com
2. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort — Pismo Beach
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort features 400 full hookup sites, each with complimentary wireless internet access and cable TV, on 26 acres. It sits right on the Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- Amenities include a General Store, restaurant, heated pool, arcade, laundromat, bicycle rentals, and miniature golf.
- Walking distance to Pismo State Beach and its trail system.
Official site: visitpcv.com
3. Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground — Buellton
Set in Santa Barbara wine country, Flying Flags RV Resort accommodates RVs up to 60 feet with full hookups on paved sites and sits along Highway 101 in Buellton, providing convenient access to Santa Barbara wine country and the Danish-themed town of Solvang four miles away.
- Amenities include pools, hot tub, fitness center access, and an on-site restaurant.
- The resort includes a playground, bocce ball court, basketball court, and game room with pool tables.
Official site: flyingflags.com
4. Emerald Desert RV Resort — Palm Desert
Located on 33 scenic acres in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Emerald Desert RV Resort in Palm Desert offers luxury RV camping surrounded by breathtaking desert and mountain views. It accommodates RVs up to 100 feet with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections, plus amenities like two pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, and a fitness center.
- Guests can lounge by the heated pool and spa, play pickleball and tennis, use the fully equipped fitness center, and enjoy scenic walking paths and a putting green.
- Three fenced-in dog parks for pets.
Official site: sunlandrvresorts.com
5. Kamp Klamath RV Park and Campground — Klamath
For redwood country, this is a favorite. Its location offers easy access to the Klamath River, Pacific Ocean, and Redwood National Park.
- Full hookup RV sites with 30 amp back-in or 50 amp pull-through options, plus an RV dump station.
- Free cable TV and high-speed WiFi at every site, plus a store with groceries, camping and fishing supplies.
- Free hot showers, recently remodeled.
Official site: kampklamath.com
6. Malibu Beach RV Park — Malibu
This one is pure Southern California bragging rights. The park has 142 RV sites perched on a bluff above Pacific Coast Highway.
- RV sites accommodate rigs up to 65 feet and include electric, water, and sewer hookups.
- A laundry facility, dump station, propane fill, and WiFi round out the amenities.
Official site: maliburv.com
7. Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground — San Dimas
Just outside Los Angeles, Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground is in the beautiful Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, overlooking Puddingstone Lake. It features 504 large paved full hookup sites, including 15 pull-through spaces.
- Amenities include a beach-front park, two sparkling pools, outdoor fire pits, and activities galore.
- Located just 45 minutes east of Los Angeles, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Official site: bonellibluffsrv.com
8. Yosemite Lakes RV Resort — Groveland
If Yosemite is the plan, this is your basecamp. Yosemite Lakes RV Resort is located just 5 miles west of Yosemite National Park’s Big Oak Flat entrance station. With 254 full hook-ups, 130 tent sites, and a variety of cabin and yurt setups, it’s ready for your visit.
- The South Fork of the Tuolumne River runs through the preserve, ideal for swimming, fishing and panning for gold.
- A full selection of amenities including a store, laundry, playground, lodge, basketball and volleyball courts, bike rentals, mini-golf, and hiking trails.
Official site: thousandtrails.com
9. Campland on the Bay — San Diego
Located on the shores of Mission Bay, and part of Mission Bay Park, Campland has been a vacation spot for families since 1969.
- The resort includes a marina with 124 slips, watercraft and bicycle rentals, game room, cantina with full bar, market, pools and spas, public beach, laundry facilities, WiFi, and campsites ranging from primitive to full hook-up RV.
- A Super Site with a private patio, jacuzzi, and grill, plus an off-leash dog park for pet owners.
Official site: campland.com
10. Tahoe Valley Campground — South Lake Tahoe
This is the most amenity-rich campground at Lake Tahoe and one of the only year-round options on either shore, sitting in the heart of South Lake Tahoe within walking distance of groceries and restaurants. With roughly 400 sites, this is a sizable operation.
- Amenities include 2 pools, full hookups (30/50A), hot showers, laundry, general store, dog park, basketball, pickleball, tennis, horseshoes, volleyball, playground, movie nights, food trucks, propane station, and cable TV.
- The Upper Truckee River runs along the campground’s south boundary, shallow enough for kids to wade in.
Official site: thousandtrails.com
How much does RV camping cost in California?
California RV resort prices vary significantly during peak season (summer months and holidays), typically ranging from $35-150 per night depending on location, amenities, and proximity to attractions. Coastal resorts like Newport Dunes or Malibu Beach RV Park sit at the top of that range, while inland and desert parks tend to run cheaper outside of festival season.
Which California RV park should you book first?
If you only get one trip, go with whichever landscape you can’t stop thinking about. Want ocean sunsets and easy freeway access? Newport Dunes or Pismo Coast Village. Chasing Yosemite’s granite walls? Book Yosemite Lakes months ahead — sites near the park fill fast in summer. Craving redwoods and quiet river mornings? Kamp Klamath delivers that without the resort price tag. Whatever you pick, reserve early — these ten parks are popular for a reason, and California camping season doesn’t have much of an off-season anymore.
NOTE TO THE ADVENTURER: This guide is meant to spark curiosity for what lies beyond the horizon — not to serve as a guarantee. Roads fall into disrepair, buildings are torn down and rebuilt, and properties change hands; 'tis your responsibility to do your own research before setting out. Always heed local and regional law, and always respect ground that isn't your own. Take every entry here as a suggestion, not a decree. This guide's contents were gathered with the aid of artificial intelligence, and like any scout, it will from time to time lead you astray. You assume all risk in following its counsel, and neither this blog nor its author is liable for any loss, injury, or misfortune that results.
