Bolsa Chica State Beach [2022] RV Camping Guide + Parking (2024)

As a haven for beachgoers, Bolsa Chica State Beach offers some of the best camping in Southern California. With three miles of warm, sandy beach to enjoy, as well as excellent surf that only Huntington Beach waves could provide, it has become one of our favorite oceanfront campgrounds.

As with any camping trip, it is essential to know before you go.

Come dive in with us as we give you all the information you'll need for your Bolsa Chica State Beach camping trip.

Bolsa Chica Campground

Average summer temperatures range between the 70s and 80s here though even during the winter, daytime temperatures only drop to the 60s, making this campsite a comfortable, year-round spot to enjoy.

Whether you're looking to hold family outings or enjoy a little seaside fun with your loved one, this is one of the best spots in Southern California for RV camping!

Activities & Amenities

There are plenty of activities for campers to enjoy, including volleyball courts, basketball courts, and surfing. As for amenities, you have outdoor showers, picnic ramadas, paved beach paths, barbecue grills, and 200 first-come-first-served fire rings. Huntington State Beach has hundreds of fire pits and is one of the few oceanfront California state parks that have access to them.

PRO TIP: During peak season, we recommend showing up to claim your fire ring as soon as possible, as they tend to go quite fast.

You'll find three miles of uninterrupted coastline here and some of the best surfing conditions for beginner and intermediate surfers! There are plenty of places to rent boards if you don't have your own gear. If you want to try your hand at surfing while you're there, head to one of the numerous surf schools, which offer both private and group lessons!

The surf breaks here are in shallow water, consistently delivering prime waves to the beach year-round. Even intermediate surfers can enjoy the desirable curled crests that the ocean provides!

Fishing

Surf fishing is one of the most popular activities at this Orange County beach. You'll find many people fishing for cabezon, croaker, perch, corbina, and sand shark. If you get lucky enough to be there in the summer time during the new and full moons, you can enjoy bare-handed fishing for the California Grunion.

This unique fish species only appear during the summer on Southern Californian shorelines. Ensure that you have your fishing permit before you arrive, as state law requires one to go fishing.

Concessions

If you don't feel like grilling every night or making large pots of oatmeal every morning, there are plenty of concessions around the Bolsa Chica State Beach campground for food and drinks. If you're looking to sip a refreshing co*cktail while watching the sun go down over the water, you're in luck.

At the northern end of Huntington Beach lies SeaLegs at the Beach, a solid little beach joint with signature flatbread, champagne brunch, and plenty of beer and wine. But, of course, you gotta try the burgers!

On the other hand, if you head down south, you'll get to Beach City Provisions. This homegrown general store and local craft beer provider caters to RV campers, so you'll more than likely see your neighbors getting the goods they need.

We also recommend checking out Bolsa Chica Cafe, which has plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas that you can rent out for the day! Not only is it a great place to grab a bite or a drink, but it's also a great spot to purchase firewood, rent gear (bicycles, boogie boards, etc.), and shower off.

For a healthier choice, you can head to Pacific Kitchen at the southernmost end of the beach. Here you'll find acai bowls, coffee, and sustainably sourced fish.

Outside of the Campground

If you want to get outside of the campground for the day, there are plenty of activities to choose from.

For starters, we recommend checking out the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington. Beach. The California Department of Fish and Game runs this gorgeous ecological haven and offers visitors a unique way to explore native Huntington Beach wildlife. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the 1,000 acres of beauty at the ecological reserve, from biking to bird watching.

You can check out the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center to learn more.

If you want to grab a bite to eat, hang out at the park, or relax on one of the great sandy Southern California beaches, you can head just a bit north to Sunset Beach. The lofty town of Sunset Beach has a wide range of eclectic shops and eateries, perfect for those who want to get a taste of So-Cal living.

Looking to get out of the campground while getting a bit of exercise in? Bike rentals are available! The paved bike path connects Sunset Beach to southern Newport Beach. You can even rollerblade, skate, or walk your way down there, though there is nothing that says Southern California beach camping quite like a mellow beach cruiser ride.

PRO TIP: If you end up enjoying the day at Huntington State Beach, we recommend trying to grab the free parking at the Jack in the Box near Warner Ave. However, you must get there early in the morning, or else spots fill up. Otherwise, parking is $15 during the summer and $10 during the off-season.

Bolsa Chica Camping Reservations

To reserve your spot for RV camping (there is no tent camping), you'll have to head over to Reserve California.

Make sure to book early in the year, as these campsites fill up quickly during the summer.

As of today, the Visitor Center and In-Park Interpretation Programs are closed throughout this state park system.

Bolsa Chica State Beach RV Camping

However, make sure that you only take them for walks around the campsite or on the Huntington Beach Bike Trail, as they are not allowed to be off-leash!

Note that though you may camp with your RV, you are not allowed to use awnings or pop-outs. Every parking space in the lot must remain available for a vehicle that has paid to park there.

Bolsa Chica Camping Map

OurBeach Camping California guide covers 9 other beautiful locations if you would like to look into alternative campgrounds near the beaches.