Pismo Beach CampingBest Beach Camping in Pismo
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Oceano SVRA
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Rec Area
The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area offers five miles of beach for camping and OHV use. The Guadelupe-Nipomo Dunes are the largest remaining coastal dunes in the state of California.
Oceano SVRA is also the only State Beach that offers primitive camping where you can park your car, van, or ATV directly on the beach.
Many love to explore the dunes by ATV or dune buggy. They are available to rent from numerous places nearby. Camping is ten dollars a night and there are vault toilets. Be mindful of the tide when planning your arrival and depart as the water levels will dictate the best timing and it's also safe to make sure you're out of range for any major surges. There are also a few freshwater creeks that flow across the campground. Check with the ranger to get the latest advice on how to navigate for your ideal spot.
This campground can get extremely busy on the weekends. That perfect view you scored on Friday night might not look the same with new arrivals Saturday morning.
There are pretty lax rules on generators and ATVs run at all hours so bring your earplugs if you're worried about noise.
Many visitors recommend deflating tires a bit to avoid getting stuck in the sand.Pismo State Beach
Campgrounds/loops at Pismo State Beach:
- Pismo State Beach campgrounds are unique because they are the only campgrounds that allow standard vehicles to be driven along the sand. The park is also home to the largest overwintering colony of monarchs.
North Beach Campground
🏕️ Free Availability Alert
North Beach is one of the parks two campgrounds and offers typical amenities such as pay operated showers, picnic tables, a dish washing station, and fire pits. Water spigots can be found throughout the campground. Tent and RV camping is available but there are no hookups. The campsites are spacious but not private.
Dunes protect North Beach from the wind a bit more than the other campground in the park, Oceano. Take a pleasant trail through the dunes and trees to access the beach. Horse back riding is a popular activity on North Beach. Hike the Carpenter Creek Trail which half loops the campground and passes by the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.
The restaurant Le Sage is located in the day use area but there are multiple restaurants within two blocks of the campground. You can also walk to the downtown pier! - Pismo State Beach's Oceano campground has 82 campsites accommodating tents, RVs, and trailers next to the beautiful freshwater Oceano Lagoon. The campground takes year round reservations.
Oceano Camp (Sites 1-42)
🏕️ Free Availability Alert
Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and grill. There are token operated showers and firewood is typically available on site. Electric and water hookups are available for RVS at sites 1 - 42.
The lagoon trail is a popular destination for bird watchers and hikers looking to explore coastal wildlife. Biking, fishing, atving, and digging for the famous Pismo clam are popular pastimes at Oceano.
Visit the Oceano Dunes District Visitor Center for information on renting atvs to check out the Dunes. Oceano Camp (Sites 43-82)
🏕️ Free Availability Alert
Oceano Park And Campground
San Luis Obispo County Parks
On the south end of Oceano Lagoon is the county run Oceano Park Campground. Don't confuse this with Pismo Beach's Oceano Campground on the North end of the lagoon.
There are 24 sites near the lagoon, where you can hunker down for some freshwater fishing. The campground has full hookups for RVs including sewage and water. There are coin operated showers and each site has a picnic table and fire ring.
Nearby is Ocean Memorial Park, a small park complete with playground, restrooms, and picnic facilities. The beach is only a few blocks walk away. Restaurants and convenient stores are also nearby.
There is potential noise from the airport and the road so bring earbuds if you're a light sleeper.Coastal Dunes RV Park
San Luis Obispo County Parks
Coastal Dunes RV Park and Campground is conveniently located off scenic Highway 1 and Grover Beach Amtrak Station. RV, trailer, and tent camping is available.
Keep in mind that the sites are somewhat close together and your tent might be posted up near a large RV running a generator, for example.
Some RV campers state that they needed extra help to level their sites. Not every campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. There is a heated swimming pool. Make sure to check if it is closed for maintenance if you plan on taking a dip. There are full restrooms, showers, and place to do laundry. Pets are allowed for a fee and there is no wifi. Expect the occasional train from the Amtrak station but it doesn't run late at night.
This campground is mainly booked for convenience and access to Oceano Dunes rather than amazing facilities and scenery. The beach is a half mile walk from the campground. If you want to head into town for entertainment, the Great American Melodrama is a vaudeville theatre that puts on family friendly comedy shows in Oceano. The charming historic village of Arroyo Grande is also a short drive away.
The campground has room for improvement but depending on your needs, it might be just fine.