On this week's episode of The RV Atlas podcast we are back with part two of our California beach camping series! In episode one our good friend Lauren Eber (from @afamwithavan on Instagram) was our guide and she gave us some incredible campground recommendations from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Along with each campground pick she shared great spots for food, fun, and adventure in those particular locales. Lauren is a California native and she knows the California coast intimately! Her campground picks and recommendations Northern California Beach Camping are absolute perfection. This two part podcast series should be on the top of your list if you are planning a California beach camping trip.

On today's episode Lauren is sharing her top campground picks from Big Sur to just below Crescent City! Jeremy also jumps in at the end of the show with his top two picks from the Crescent City area right outside Redwoods National and State Parks.

This is another great episode of The RV Atlas podcast that you don't want to miss! To listen to today's show on Northern California Beach Camping click on the media player above or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your podcasts!

For an overview of Lauren's picks check out her show notes below this helpful map that pinpoints the campgrounds that we talk about in part two of our California beach camping series!

Lauren's Overview of Northern California Beach Camping

Northern California has some of the most spectacular coastline in the world, accessed via the world famous Highway 1, which is on just about every list of America’s, or even the world’s, best road trips, and with good reason. 

Northern California beaches are very different from the So Cal beaches we covered in our prior episode. NorCal beaches are more about exploring the gorgeous scenery, quaint beach towns, redwood forests, vineyards, and farm-to-table cuisine than sunbathing and bodysurfing. 

Northern California weather is a lot cooler and foggier than SoCal, frequently overcast and windy. Expect 64 and foggy as the norm, rather than 72 and sunny. Dressing in layers is still key. The best months for sunshine are September and October. Lots of dramatic cliffs, rocky shores, tidepools, cold water, the occasional Great White Shark; often too rough for swimming, with a dangerous undertow, so don’t assume that “beach” means swimming. Some places it does, but look into it so you know what you’re getting. That doesn’t mean it’s any less fun or relaxing. Just different.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Big Sur has one of the most dramatic, beautiful stretches of coast in California. Redwood forests up against the towering cliffs above the ocean. The campground has 204 sites for RVs up to 32 feet. Some are in a towering redwood forest. Some are along the Big Sur River. All are incredible. My favorites are some of the sites in the 170s along the river, but it’s a real toss up with some of the sites on the opposite side in the 140s, in the redwoods, along a big meadow. No hookups, but lots of amenities. Restrooms with flush toilets and showers, wifi, and laundry. There is also a lodge in the park, with a small grocery store and cafe.

The campground is not actually right on the ocean, and it doesn’t have ocean access, but it does have hiking trails with sweeping ocean views, and it is just a short (1 mile) drive to popular Pfeiffer Beach with the famous keyhole arch. If you’re up for hiking, don’t miss the 2-mile Pfeiffer Falls Trail, which leads to the Valley View Overlook with a tremendous view of the Big Sur River Valley, Pt. Sur and Andrew Molera State Park, and a view of Pfeiffer Falls, a 60-foot waterfall.

Big Sur has some world-renowned restaurants and hotels, like Nepenthe, Deetjen, and the Post Ranch Inn’s Sierra Mar.