It’s hard to compete with Northern California’s perfect blend of Pacific Coast scenery, outdoor activities, and peace and quiet. So, what better way to experience all that and more than on a camping trip?

Northern California, and particularly the Sonoma Coast, is home to some of the most accessible beach camp sites in the country. Pair that with dramatic scenery, craggy cliffs, teeming tide pools, and ocean views, and your inner outdoor enthusiast will be rejoicing! Grab your camping gear and head up Highway 1 in search of the best coastal campgrounds in Northern California.

Choosing the right beach campground

How do I find the perfect campground? Finding the perfect camping spot often comes down to personal preference and planning ahead, but it doesn’t get much better than securing a beachside campsite. Several oceanfront campgrounds in Northern California, such as Wright’s Beach Campground, offer great options for everyone—from couples looking for a romantic getaway to families making memories outdoors. Just keep in mind that pitching a tent or pulling out your sleeping bag right on the beach itself is generally prohibited throughout the state.

Camping for Free: What to Know

Where can I camp on the beach for free? While some state parks and national forests allow free camping, most beachfront campgrounds in California require a fee for overnight stays. However, day-use areas may be available without charge. If you’re hoping to camp for free near the coast, research dispersed camping options in nearby public lands where overnight stays are permitted.

Sonoma County Beach Campgrounds

Bodega Bay

Doran Regional Park Campground

Tucked right on Doran Beach in Sonoma County’s Bodega Bay community, the Doran Regional Park Campground offers beach camping at its finest. You’ll find 110 camp sites for both RVs and tents that can be reserved up to 12 months in advance—and you’ll want to book ahead. This campground fills up fast, so advanced reservations are essential—especially during peak season.

Sandwiched between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this campground is perfect for families and dog lovers. You’ll also be on the doorstep of coastal hiking trails and delicious restaurants like Spud Point Crab Company and the legendary Tides Wharf & Restaurant.

Visit: 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Contact: (707) 875-3540

Bodega Dunes Campground

One of two oceanfront campgrounds (not including the park’s two environmental sites) located inside Sonoma Coast State Park, Bodega Dunes sits just a few miles north of Doran Beach. Tucked between rolling dunes and sweeping ocean vistas, Bodega Dunes Campground offers both solitude and scenery.

Spend your time strolling along the boardwalk or South Salmon Creek Beach. Hot showers, flush toilets, and potable water filling stations are the cherries on top. Reservations close 48 hours in advance, although first-come, first-served sites are also available. We suggest booking a reservation well in advance, especially during peak season.

Visit: 2485 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Contact: (707) 875-3483

Wright’s Beach Campground

Sonoma Coast State Park’s second offering of oceanfront camp sites is Wright’s Beach Campground. While you’ll have even closer beach access, the trade off is a few less amenities than Bodega Dunes. Situated about six miles up the coast from Bodega Bay, there are 27 sites for both tents and RVs. If conditions allow, build a fire and watch the sky smolder—this is a well known sunset spot!

If you want a hot shower and potable drinking water spigots, you’ll need to make the 10-minute drive to Bodega Dunes. Like its sister campground, reservations close 48 hours in advance although you can snag first come, first serve spots if they’re available.

Visit: 7095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, CA 94923
Contact: (707) 875-3483

Jenner

Stillwater Cove Campground

Hiking trails sheltered by towering redwood groves, dramatic coastal scenery, and a peaceful cove with colorful tide pools… What could be better than that? Maybe the chance to pitch your tent just a few minutes walk away!

Stillwater Cove Campground offers up 23 camp sites, all of which are located inland yet less than a 10-minute walk from the beach. Both tent camping and RVs are welcome with features like flush toilets, showers, potable water, and electrical outlets. Three miles of hiking trails crisscross the property and are a wonderful excuse to get in your steps. Afterwards, treat yourself to a delicious meal at Coast Kitchen, located a few miles away at the Timber Cove Resort.

Visit: 22455 Highway 1, Jenner, CA 95450
Contact: (707) 785-2377

Ocean Cove Campground

Although it’s not situated on the beach, Ocean Cove Campground offers some of the most stunning views in Northern California. One of few private campgrounds in the area, campers can choose from sites shrouded in trees or, even better, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

There are over 100 camp sites spread out across 20 acres, so you can be sure there’s plenty of space to stretch out. Amenities include hot showers, chemical toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, and a general store. You’ll also find a sheltered cove that welcomes boats, a unique feature for the craggy Sonoma Coast.

Visit: 23125 Highway 1, Jenner, CA 95450
Contact: (707) 847-3422

Gualala

Gualala Point Campground

At the northernmost point of the Sonoma Coast, Gualala Point Campground offers just 19 camp sites for tents and RVs, perched along the banks of the Gualala River and shaded by redwood forests. While it’s not technically oceanfront, you’ll be just across Highway 1 from gorgeous cliffs. Nature lovers will like being close to Walk-On Beach and the jaw-dropping scenery along the Gualala Bluff Trail.

Amenities include coin-operated showers, potable water, and flush toilets. Reservations are generally required, but there are six walk-in sites. If you’re looking for peace and tranquility, this is the campground for you as it’s rarely crowded—even in the summer months.

Visit: 42401 Highway 1, Gualala, CA 95445
Contact: (707) 565-2267

Savor Sonoma and Delicious Cuisine

Swap your campfire meals for an unforgettable dining experience in Sonoma County. From farm-to-table bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants, Sonoma’s culinary scene offers something for every palate. Discover the top 20 restaurants that locals and food lovers can’t stop talking about, featuring everything from coastal seafood to innovative wine country cuisine.

Other Northern California campgrounds

Mendocino County & Humboldt County

Continue up the coast from Sonoma and you’ll find a few more popular campgrounds along the Northern California coastline, including Usal Beach Campground, a large camping area at the southern end of the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park; Westport Beach Campground, a lovely spot along the serene Mendocino Coast offering both creekside and oceanfront tent camping and RV sites; and Big Lagoon Campground, a tranquil 25-site campground offering beach and lagoon access, restrooms, and nearby kayak rentals.

Russian River & Lake Sonoma

If you want to stay closer to Sonoma’s vineyards (we don’t blame you!) without giving up the beachfront vibes, you can also head to Sonoma’s rivers and lakes to camp, like at Johnson’s Beach, a popular spot for camping along the Russian River, or the Liberty Glen Campground at Lake Sonoma.