5 California Campgrounds for a Family Fun Vacation

Memorial Day is typically the kickoff of the camping season. Many of California's campgrounds are located in beautiful locations and offer numerous amenities and activities. Our family took many camping trips when our daughters were younger. Camping trips are inexpensive and create great moments for family bonding. If your planning a family summer vacation that includes camping, check out these campgrounds for a fabulous trip. Remember, campgrounds tend to book up fast. Make your reservations early. If you miss out this year, ask the location when they open up booking for next year so you can be first in line.

California Campgrounds - Big Sur Campgrounds and Cabins
We took our daughter to this campground when she was 3 years old and we had such an amazing time. The setting is unbelievably gorgeous with redwood trees towering overhead nestled along the Big Sur river. The environment is serene and relaxing. Big Sur Campground offers four options for camping including: tent campsites that start at $35 a night; RV sites that start at $45 a night: tent cabins that start at $88 a night; and cabins that start at $125 a night. Obviously avoid high season (May through September) when rates are much higher. The campground offers such amenities as a camp store for all your basic needs, a playground for the younger children and laundry facilities. Close to the campground you'll find many restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations (helpful when needing propane) as well as gift shops and galleries. If floating down the river in an inner tube or reading a book under the trees sounds like the vacation you were looking for, Big Sur is the place to go.

Big Sur Campgrounds and Cabins
47000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2322

California Campgrounds - Doheny State Beach
Doheny State Beach is a wonderful place to set up camp right on the beach. Doheny has numerous activities and events that may coincide with your vacation plans. Events range from nature outings to grunion hunting to surf competitions. The July 4th fireworks extravaganza is one not to miss. Doheny State Beach Visitor Center also has five aquariums, each with a different habitat. There is also a 500-gallon simulated tide pool. Bird watchers will relish nearby marshes with many species of birds. All reservations must be booked through Reserve America.

Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629-2923
(949) 496-6171

California Campgrounds - Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Just south of San Francisco and located in the Santa Cruz mountains, Big Basin is the perfect camping retreat. You'll be surrounded by majestic redwood trees as well as conifers, oaks and chaparral. There is over 80 miles of trails for hiking enthusiasts. Big Basin offers the following camping options: camping for groups or families; tent cabins; and backpacking camps. If you're heading to Big Basin in the spring, make sure to check out Wings Over the Basin which emphasizes the birdlife found at the park as well as butterfly walks and activities. For more on Wings Over the Basin, go here.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
21600 Big Basin Way # 406
Boulder Creek, CA 95006-9063
(831) 338-8860

California Campgrounds - Cold Springs Campground Sequoia National Park
Open from late May until October 31, Cold Springs Campground is a wonderful RV-free site that provides the perfect setting for an intimate camping experience. The campground offers numerous sites set alongside the Kaweah River. The setting is serene and peaceful. The campground does not accept reservations and everything is on a first come, first served basis. There are 31 campgrounds with a metal, bear-resistant food storage container at each site. Nightly fee is $12.

Cold Spring Campground
Three Rivers, California 93271

California Campgrounds - Point Mugu State Park
Another beautiful beach location, Point Mugu is located in the Santa Monica mountains and has over five miles of ocean. You'll be surrounded by the soothing Pacific Ocean with rugged hillsides all around. For those who love to hike, there are over 70 miles of hiking trails. Located 15 miles south of Oxnard in Malibu, Point Mugu is the ideal location for beach camping.

Point Mugu State Park
9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway,
Malibu, CA 90265

As you can see, California has some of the most beautiful campgrounds around. Whether you're looking for a beach vacation or one in the mountains, one of these five campgrounds will suit your needs.