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Northern California has beach camping options galore. From the San Francisco Bay Area up the coast to the Oregon border, there are many campgrounds and even beaches that allow camping right on the sand above the high tide level.

Visit our beach pages and the campground websites for information on the season when they are open and how to make reservations if available (check ReserveCalifornia for the majority of these campgrounds). In the summer months, reservations are recommended well in advance.

Most of these campgrounds are open to tents and RVs but some cater to just one or the other. Camping in Northern California can be cool or downright cold as the ocean moisture and windy conditions combine forces. But if you are prepared for the weather exposure, these beaches can make for one of the best outdoor experiences possible.

Here is our list of the top beach camping spots in Northern California (listed south to north).

Santa Cruz County

Waddell Creek Beach, Davenport

San Mateo County

Francis Beach, Half Moon Bay

San Francisco

China Camp, San Francisco Bay

Angel Island, San Francisco Bay

Marin County

Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands

Steep Ravine Beach, Stinson Beach

Lawson’s Landing, Dillon Beach

Sonoma County

Doran Beach, Bodega Bay

Bodega Dunes, Bodega Bay

Wrights Beach, Bodega Bay

Willow Creek Beach on Russian River, Jenner

Fort Ross State Historic Park, Jenner

Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Jenner

Ocean Cove, Jenner

Salt Point State Park, Jenner

Mendocino County

Gualala Regional Park, Gualala

Anchor Bay Campground, Gualala

Manchester State Park, Manchester

Navarro Beach, Albion

Albion Flat Beach, Albion

Van Damme State Park, Little River

Russian Gulch State Park, Mendocino

Caspar State Beach, Caspar

MacKerricher State Park, Fort Bragg

Westport Beach, Westport

Westport-Union Landing State Beach, Westport

Usal Beach, Westport

Humboldt County

Needle Rock Beach, Shelter Cove

Jones Beach, Shelter Cove

Mattole Beach, Petrolia

Samoa Dunes, Eureka

Clam Beach County Park, McKinleyville

Patrick’s Point State Park, Trinidad

Big Lagoon, Trinidad

Dry Lagoon, Trinidad

Gold Bluffs Beach, Orick

Del Norte County

Enderts Beach, Crescent City

Kamph Memorial Park, Smith River