South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

Overview:

South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is a great place to stay along the coast for any van or RV nomad.  The campground sits on a bluff overlooking the beach and the pacific ocean. The campground offers everything you would expect to include restrooms, showers, trash bins, hookups, and a visitor center. 

Adventure:

South Carlsbad State Beach Campground is one of the best beachside campgrounds in Southern California. It’s stated high atop a coastal bluff that allows for amazing views of the beach and far into the pacific ocean. This makes for a great backdrop for pictures of your family or your rig. 

South Carlsbad State Beach is a three-mile-long that offers many spots for surfing or finding a place to sunbathe.  The campground has direct access to the beach by a series of stairs. Non-campers can only access the beach below the campsite via a North or South Ponto beach walkthrough.

Surfing

The campground sits atop a wonderful beach break that is perfect for surfing. You have three miles of beach break to figure out where you would like to surf. The beach breaks best on a south/southwest swell around 2-4 feet. 

North Pronto Beach

Located just north of South Carlsbad State Beach is North Pronto beach. Many van and RV nomad park at the bluff overlooking North Pronto Beach. It’s a great place to spend the day, meet fellow nomads and go surfing.

Camping

The campground has over 200 campsites and restrooms, showers, camp store, ocean overlooks,  water, and trash bins. There is also a dump station for $15.

Fee: $35 (Inland Side) /$50(Beach Side) + $7.99 online processing fee

It’s a privilege to have South Carlsbad State Beach Campground for our enjoyment, so please practice Leave No Trace principles.

Directions:

The beach is located 3 miles south of Carlsbad on Carlsbad Bl.
Take Interstate 5, exit Poinsettia Ln.  Go west to Carlsbad Bl, turn north. Make a legal U-turn at Breakwater Rd (1st light). Proceed south on Carlsbad Bl to the campground entrance on the right.

References and Links:

Beach

San Elijo State Beach

San Elijo State Beach is a good place for any van or RV nomad looking to visit or camp at the beach. The beach is long and wide and is a good place to go surfing. The campground offers many campsites from hookup to dry camping. There is a shower, restroom, and visitor center.

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