11 Best RV Parks in California
Are you searching for the most amazing RV parks in California? Look no further!
After five years of full time RV travel, we’ve discovered some epic, and some awful, California campgrounds. However, today we’re only sharing the best.
For each featured RV park we provide the standard info like price and amenities. You’ll also receive first hand experience and a unique “RV Parks in California Vibes” score to rank each park against the others.
Let’s dive in!
Sam’s Family Spa
Location: Desert Hot Springs, California
Price: $60/night or $605/month
Why You’ll Love It: If you love soaking in natural hot springs, you’ll love Sam’s Family Spa. The multiple, covered hot spring pools are emptied daily and kept very clean.
We’ve spent three winters in Desert Hot Springs, and two of those at Sam’s Family Spa. We absolutely love the natural hot spring tubs and the relatively low monthly rate.
The park has a dated, 1970s feel, but it adds to the charm! It even made our 2017 Top 10 RV Parks in the USA list.
Any size RV can fit at Sam’s and there are a LOT of sites to choose from.
What’s The Word: Aaron on Campendium says, “We don’t stay in many campgrounds, in large part because I don’t do rules, also I’m cheap. I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere here, you simply pull in, pick a site and setup camp, even for a monthly rental there are no reservations or anyone telling you where to camp.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 7.2/10 It’s not the most scenic, but it’s SUPER chill!
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort
Location: Borrego Springs, California
Price: $52 and up
Why You’ll Love It: Tucked away in the So-Cal desert, Palm Canyon RV Resort is a hidden gem – great for a weekend getaway.
This resort offers many amenities. We thoroughly enjoyed the pool & hot tub. There’s also a coffee shop, restaurant & bar onsite. And, if you need to do chores, there’s a laundry room and work-out facility available.
Despite its remote location, the luxury vibes are strong at Palm Canyon. It was named among the 11 most luxurious RV campgrounds in America.
What’s The Word: Bud on Campground Reviews says, “Had a reservation for a pull-thru site during the desert super bloom. Traffic heavy in area. Park is clean and well maintained. Nice pool & hot tub. Staff friendly and helpful. Had pizza at the restaurant on-site & it was very good.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 7.8/10 Nice facility & unique onsite amenities
Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground
Location: Crescent City, California
Price: $55 and up (Full Hook Up RV Site)
Why You’ll Love It: If you’re exploring the Redwood National Park, Ramblin’ Redwoods Campground is the perfect base camp.
When we camped at Ramblin’ Redwoods (previously known as Redwoods RV Resort) our site was private, level, and equipped with full hookups. There is a central bath & shower house – it remained very clean during our entire stay.
One of our favorite features is the on-site hiking trails through the woods and the large gassy areas for walking the dog. But, if you want to explore the Redwoods, you’re just a few minutes away!
What’s The Word: Higgins on Campground Reviews says, “This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds we have ever stayed at. Redwood trees throughout the park. Most campsites are very generous with trees. My Verizon service worked very well both phone and internet. Too many trees for satellite TV, but there was cable. Our site was so large and beautiful we wished we could stay longer than the 5 days we had booked.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 8.4/10 Beautiful campground surrounded by huge redwood trees!
Lake Piru Campground
Location: Piru, California
Price: $28 and up
Why You’ll Love It: If you live in LA and need a quick break from the city – Lake Piru is a “must visit.” Located north of the city, Lake Piru offers hiking, biking and water sport activities on site.
The RV spots are mostly water & electric. However, there are a few full hook up sites available.
Other amenities include a bath & shower house, large dog park, picnic areas, basketball courts and marina. You’ll also get visited by lots of wildlife!
What’s The Word: RV Chickadee (of Camp Addict) on Campendium says, “What I liked most about the campground was that I could walk behind my site immediately into places I could take my dogs immediately off leash. In addition, down that road a little, there’s a green park with lots of trees and picnic tables. Beyond THAT, there is a fenced in grassy dog park. Very nice.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 6.3/10 The nature vibes here are strong…the luxury vibes aren’t!
Golden Shore RV Resort
Location: Long Beach, California
Price: $69 and up
Why You’ll Love It: Golden Shore RV Resort is the perfect combination of urban + waterfront camping.
Long Beach is a coastal city with a population just under 500,000. The downtown district offers TONS of shopping, a beautiful harbor, an aquarium, and restaurants galore! Golden Shore RV Resort is located right in the heart of the city, no more than 3 miles from all the action.
There is a pool, hot tub, laundry room and gift shop onsite. Just outside the park is access to a waterfront bike trail. Even though the sites are close together, there is plenty of grass & landscaping to create nature vibes.
What’s The Word: Uproot Travel on Campendium says, “It’s a small RV park, and the spots are a little tight, but the location is great and the place is clean. They have a bunch of amenities that we didn’t take advantage of, like the pool (although I saw people in it all the time) laundry, etc. This place is gated and was extremely easy to get to – it has its own clearly marked exit off the freeway.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 7.3/10 Unique urban location and views of the water!
Paradise by the Sea
Location: Oceanside, California
Price: RV Sites start at $90
Why You’ll Love It: Location is the biggest asset of this RV resort. It’s a block away from the Pacific Ocean and walking distance to The Strand (Oceanside’s waterfront park).
Paradise by the Sea also offers lots of amenities. We thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor community area; it has lots of seating and large propane fire tables. There’s also a pool, hot tub, and laundry room onsite
Security is great at this RV Park. They have a gated, password protected entryway and a full time security staff.
What’s The Word: Kattt on Campendium says, “This park is one of your best bets if you want to camp by the ocean without dealing with the heavily booked state park system. The pluses of the park are that it’s only a two minute walk from the campground to the beach. The park is extremely clean and has all the facilities (showers, pool, hot tub, laundry, game room).”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 8.3/10 A block from the pacific…yes, please!
Flying Flags RV Park
Location: Buellton, California
Price: Lots of camping options, RV sites start at $55
Why You’ll Love It: Flying Flags RV Resort is all about the camping experience. The sites are concrete pads, many with large grassy areas. The check-in experience feels more like a resort-hotel than a campground (in all the best ways).
The resort’s “community space” includes a huge propane fire pit with lots of ambiance. It’s host to weekly outdoor movie nights! The multiple swimming pools have private cabanas, hot tubs and play areas for the kids.
Flying Flags also offers vintage Airstream rentals (you know we love that)!
What’s The Word: Meg on Campendium says, “We absolutely LOVED this resort and have already booked our next trip back. There are numerous things to do on site, including: 3 swimming pools, hot tubs, splash pad, bocce pall court/tounaments, soccer field, community fire pit. ice cream store, cafe, general store, kids activities (like scavenger hunt, etc), weekly bbq dinners, pool table, media room, laundry, and m’]\ore.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 10/10 The best RV park we’ve ever visited!
Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort
Location: Niland, California
Price: $52 and up
Why You’ll Love It: The Fountain of Youth RV Resort is located east of the Salton Sea and just north of Slab City – two of the more unique California tourist spots.
The resort offers a daily schedule of activities ranging from a talent show to poker. We soaked in the hot baths every night. If you want to explore outside of the park, Slab City is only 20 minutes away and its definitely worth a visit.
What’s The Word: Walt on Campendium says, “We came here just to try somewhere new and we are glad we did. Starting with the front desk, everyone here has been exceedingly friendly and happy (it must be the water!). They have activities, jam sessions, concerts, etc going all the time, every day as well as two pools and several spas.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 8.2/10 Unique location and active community of RVers!
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Location: Big Sur, California
Price: $35 – This site made the list of 7 Cheap Big Sur Campgrounds
Why You’ll Love It: This sites delivers awesome amenities and access to Big Sur. Showers, food service and a camp store are among the many benefits you’ll receive at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
They also offer many educational activities like an interpretive center, wildlife viewing, guided tours and historical exhibits.
If you’re taking a family trip to Big Sur, Pfeiffer State Park is a great option.
What’s The Word: LunaTreksy on Campendium says, “The park is top notch! There is a lot of amazing hiking available right in the park, the Big Sur river runs through the park, and there is plenty of wildlife to peep at 🙂 And it’s a very short jaunt to Andrew Molera State Park, Nepenthe, and more!”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 9.2/10 Big Sur is amazing, and this is the perfect basecamp!
KOA Santa Cruz
Location: Watsonville, CA
Price: RV sites starting at $85
Why You’ll Love It: Location!!! The KOA Santa Cruz is positioned to give you easy access to Monterey, Caramel and Santa Cruz.
But, the park has so many activities, you may never get out and explore. A basketball court, large playground, a new pool and an outdoor movie cinema are just a handful of the many onsite amenities.
What’s The Word: Ashar on Campendium says, “The campground is very clean and well maintained. There is a state beach about a mile away with an entry fee of $10. This gives you parking and access to the beach for whole day. There were all kinds of activities on the beach surfing, walking, volleyball, kids building sand castles etc.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 7.4/10 Location & amenities = family fun!
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort
Location: Pismo Beach, California
Price: RV sites start around $60
Why You’ll Love It: Beach access, baby! You can walk to local restaurants or relax in your full hook up RV site. Pismo Coast makes it easy for the RV vacationer to enjoy all the area’s hot spots.
The park can accommodate large RVs. They also have spacious cabins for rent.
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort made our list of the 7 Easy Pismo Beach Campgrounds You’ll Love!
What’s The Word: Mike in Campendium says, “Great location to beach and town. The resort is well maintained and super clean bathrooms. Walkable beach access! There are many cool on site amenities including, general store, laundry, pool, arcade, and other games. Also, there’s a restaurant that serves breakfast lunch and dinner but I didn’t get a chance to try it out.”
RV Parks in California Vibes: 8.2/10 Beach vibes for the whole family!
The Best FREE Camping in the USA
We love camping across this amazing country. And, we really love it when its free. Here’s our list of the 20 Best Free Campsites in the USA.
If you haven’t tried free camping before, also known as boondocking, take a look at our beginners guide to boondocking filled with everything you need to know to get started.
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