Where can you camp on the beach in San Diego?
At three state beaches (South Carlsbad, San Elijo in Cardiff, and Silver Strand for self-contained RVs only) and at private Campland on the Bay in Mission Bay. State sites open on ReserveCalifornia six months ahead at 8 a.m. and go fast.
- Booking window
- 6 months
- Tents
- 2 state beaches
- Silver Strand
- RV only
- Campland tent sites
- $66–$77
Opens daily at 8 a.m.
South Carlsbad, San Elijo
Self-contained vehicles
Summer 2026, per night
The short version
- South Carlsbad and San Elijo state beaches have blufftop tent and RV sites above the ocean; vehicles up to 35 feet.
- Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado allows only fully self-contained vehicles under Coastal Commission rules, so no tents.
- State beach sites book on ReserveCalifornia on a rolling six-month window, with new dates released daily at 8 a.m.
- Campland on the Bay, a private campground in Mission Bay, charged $66–$77 for tent sites and up to $497 for beachfront RV sites in summer 2026.
- Check-in at the state beaches is 2 p.m.; San Elijo had two-night minimums on many dates.
Waking up to surf without paying for an oceanfront hotel is possible in San Diego, but the sites are few and the competition is fierce. Here are the options and how people actually get a reservation.
State beach
Private
Pins approximate. Rules and rates from California State Parks and Campland, checked October 6, 2026.
See these on the full San Diego mapYour options
| Tents? | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| South Carlsbad SB | Yes | Blufftop; some hookups; dogs in camp but not on the beach |
| San Elijo SB | Yes | Showers; 24-ft limit at hookup sites |
| Silver Strand SB | No | Self-contained vehicles up to 40 ft; cold showers |
| Campland on the Bay | Yes | Private; books up to 2 years ahead; summer weekend minimums |
How to land a state beach site
- 01
Count back six months
Sites release on a rolling basis, six months before the arrival date.
- 02
Be online at 8 a.m.
Log in to ReserveCalifornia before the release, with your site choices ready. Summer weekends can go in seconds.
- 03
Watch for cancellations
Reservations can be made until two days before arrival, so cancellations reappear; check often.
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryReservations
California State Parks · Checked October 6, 2026
Six-month window, 8 a.m. release
- PrimarySouth Carlsbad State Beach
California State Parks · Checked October 6, 2026
Sites, rules
- PrimarySan Elijo State Beach
California State Parks · Checked October 6, 2026
Sites, rules
- PrimarySilver Strand State Beach
California State Parks · Checked October 6, 2026
Self-contained vehicles only
- DataCamping rates
Campland on the Bay · Checked October 6, 2026
2026 rates