There’s something extraordinary about the West Coast. Whether it’s the sunny beaches of southern California, the snowy mountains of Oregon, or the rainy forests of Washington, the West Coast is home to various destinations perfect for exploring. And with spring just around the corner, now’s an idea time to begin planning your West Coast adventure. To help you along your way, we compiled a list of 8 popular RV campgrounds on the West Coast that’ll put you close to all the nearby action.
8 RV West Coast Destinations
- Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Oregon
- Cape Disappointment – Ilwaco, Washington
- Anaheim Harbor RV Park – Anaheim, California
- Paradise by the Sea RV Resort – San Diego, California
- Refugio State Beach – Goleta, California
- Fort Worden Historical State Park – Port Townsend, Washington
- Jessie Honeyman Memorial State Park – Florence, Oregon
- Morro Bay State Park – Morro Bay, California
1. Harris Beach State Park – Brookings, Oregon
Our of West Coast RV destinations list starts with Harris Beach State Park, located in Southern Oregon near Brookings. This RV destination sits right on the beach, making it a prime place to visit if you enjoy beach-side hangs and a great mix of wildlife. With plenty of nature preserves nearby, it’s common to encounter a variety of wildlife, including seals, whales, and seabirds.
Just off the coast of Harris Beach State Park is Bird Island (also called Goat Island), a National Wildlife sanctuary and breeding site for rare birds such as the tufted puffin. Although inaccessible to the public, there are plenty of viewpoints at the park that allow you to take in the splendid views.
Harris Beach State Park has 65 full-hookup sites and 25 electrical sites with water. Park amenities include a playground, restrooms, showers, firewood, and a dump station.
RV hookups: 65 sites with full hookups, 25 electrical sites with water.
Reservations: Yes (recommended)
Size restrictions: Hookup sites have a max vehicle length of 56’.
Price: Hookup sites begin at $33/night.
Nearby attractions: Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, McVay Rock, Crissey Field, and Gold Beach.
2. Cape Disappointment – Ilwaco, Washington
Okay, we know how it sounds, but don’t let the name fool you. An RV trip to Cape Disappointment will be anything but an actual disappointment. Located on the Long Beach Peninsula near Ilwaco, Cape Disappointment is a 2,023-acre camping park that looks into the mouth of the Columbia River as it meets the Pacific Ocean.
When visiting Cape Disappointment during the late spring and summer months, be sure to stop by the North Head Lighthouse. This active lighthouse still helps boats navigate the harsh waters.
Cape Disappointment has a variety of nearby activities for the whole family and offers around 250 sites, many of which are either full or partial hookup sites. Park amenities include restrooms, showers, a boating dock, a supply store, and a trailer dump station.
RV hookups: Yes, sites with full and partial hookups are available.
Reservations: Yes.
Size restrictions: RVs and combinations less than 45 feet can only be accommodated.
Price: Hookup sites begin at $50/night
Nearby attractions: North Head Lighthouse, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Surfside Golf Course, and Baker Bay.
3. Anaheim Habor RV Park – Anaheim, California
If you’re venturing to southern California for the first time, you’ll definitely want to visit and experience the magic of Disneyland. If you’re traveling from out of state, why not stay in the closest RV park to Disneyland? Anaheim Harbor RV Park in Anaheim, California is the closest RV park near Disney and there is even a nearby shuttle that’ll take you to the front entrance.
Due to the park’s popularity and proximity to Disneyland, the rates here will be more expensive than those of other RV West Coast destinations on our list. However, the has a few amenities to keep you and your family comfortable. You can access heated swimming pools, complete hookup services, laundry, and free wireless internet access when visiting. Plus, you’ll even be able to see the fireworks show from outside of your RV.
RV hookups: RV sites have full hookups.
Reservations: Yes, recommended.
Size restrictions: RVs and combinations less than 40 feet long can be accommodated.
Price: $55-71 a night, depending on selected site.
Nearby attractions: Disneyland, Angels Stadium, Honda Center, and Downtown Disney.
4. Paradise by the Sea RV Resort – San Diego, California
Okay, so maybe you’re heading towards Southern California for the beach. If that’s the case, you’ll want to stay at the Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort in San Diego, California. Sitting adjacent to Buccaneer Park and Beach, Paradise by the Sea is one of Southern California’s only Beach RV resorts with direct beach access, making it one of our favorite West Coast destinations.
You will be directly on the beach, and close to San Diego, Carlsbad, and Oceanside, which are filled with attractions and places to explore. Still want to visit an amusement park? SeaWorld is only a quick half-hour drive away!
Paradise by the Sea offers around 90 full hookup sites, each with their own picnic tables for you to enjoy outside. However, about half of the sites are reserved for smaller rigs and the other half for larger rigs.
RV hookups: Full hookups are available.
Reservations: Yes, recommended.
Size restrictions: Restrictions vary by site, but some sites can accommodate rigs up to 60 feet long.
Price: Smaller RV sites begin at around $80/night.
Nearby attractions: Legoland, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo.
5. Refugio State Beach – Goleta, California
Although many RVers flock to the southern side of the Golden State when visiting the West Coast, California’s Central Coast is just as beautiful—and sometimes even less crowded. Refugio State Beach is located just a short drive north of Santa Barbara alongside Highway 101 and is a great place to relax by the ocean.
When staying at Refugio State Beach, you’ll have beautiful views of the nearby Channel Islands, potentially see migrating whales, and be surrounded by plenty of water-based activities. And because you’ll be so close to Santa Barbara, you’ll have plenty to explore after spending a day in the sun.
There are 66 camping sites at Refugio State Beach, but keep in mind that no hookups are available. However, the park does have hot showers, toilets, and a picnic area.
*Important note: As of March 2024, Refugio State Beach is currently closed due to storm damage. However, according to their website, the park is anticipated to reopen in a “relatively short time frame.”
RV hookups: No.
Reservations: Yes.
Size restrictions: Sites can only accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long.
Price: RV sites start at around $10/night.
Nearby attractions: El Captain State Beach, Solvang, Gaviota Peak, and Downtown Santa Barbara.
6. Fort Worden Historical State Park – Port Townsend, Washington
Looking for a spooky West Coast RV destination? To experience something akin to the Blair Witch Project, head to the Pacific Northwest. Fort Worden Historical State Park, located in Port Townsend, Washington, was once home to a military base before it was converted into a park. The park is popular among ghost hunters because it was once a military jail and cemetery .
Fort Worden, however, is so much more than its connection to the paranormal. The park features two separate campgrounds, each with unique features. There is a beach campground with great water access and a forested one with a more private setting. When staying at Fort Worden Historical State Park, you’ll be surrounded by plenty of hiking trails museums that teach about the park’s history.
Due to its location and weather, Fort Worden and many nearby attractions don’t fully open until April.
RV hookups: Beach sites have full hookups, and the forest campground has partial hookups.
Reservations: Yes, recommended.
Size restrictions: Limited sites that can accommodate rigs of up to 75 feet in length.
Price: Forest sites start at around $35/night, and beach sites begin at $45/night.
Nearby attractions: Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum, The Rothschild House, Point Wilson Lighthouse, and Port Townsend Marine Science Center.
7. Jessie Honeyman Memorial State Park – Florence, Oregon
Located amidst sand dunes, Jessie Honeyman Memorial State Park is the second-largest campground in Oregon. Over 160 sites can accommodate RVs, with 47 having full hookups. As an added bonus, the park has two freshwater lakes for endless water activities.
Springtime is a special season at Jessie Honeyman Memorial State Park, as that is when the pink rhododendrons are in full bloom. However, the area can be noisy from May to September when the ATV season is in full effect due to its proximity to the nearby sand dunes.
Jessie Honeyman Memorial State Park offers plenty of amenities for your stay, such as an RV dump station, toilets, hot showers, and firewood for sale.
RV hookups: Yes.
Reservations: Yes.
Size restrictions: Some sites can accommodate rigs up to 50 feet long.
Price: Rates start at $34/night.
Nearby attractions: Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Heceta Beach, and Woahink Lake.
8. Morro Bay State Park – Morro Bay, California
Wrapping up our best West Coast RV destinations list is one that offers a variety of beautiful, scenic views: Morro Bay State Park. Located just a short drive north of San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay State Park offers plenty of activities to fill your schedule. There is a nearby museum, lots of hiking trails, and loads of recreational activities such as kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.
Morro Bay State Park has over 140 campsites designated for tent camping, RV camping, and group camping. However, RV sites can only accommodate RVs and combinations under 35 feet. Amenities include picnic areas, an 18-hole public golf course, RV hookups, RV dump stations, flush toilets, and showers.
RV hookups: Yes.
Reservations: Yes, recommended.
Size restrictions: RVs must be less than 35 feet in length.
Price: RV sites start at $50/night.
Nearby attractions: Museum of Natural History, Morro Rock, and Black Hill trail.
Don’t Forget About RV Insurance
Whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just getting behind the wheel of your first rig, you never want to travel without an RV insurance policy. Unlike auto insurance, RV insurance covers many scenarios you may experience when camping. Coverages such as RV roadside assistance can be helpful if you breakdown traveling somewhere new. If you’d like to learn more about your RV insurance options, our specialists can help. Contact us today at (866) 501-7335 to discuss your options.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and is offered for educational purposes. Furthermore, it should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.