If you’re an RV camper itching to find out if “America’s Finest City” holds up to its moniker, good news! San Diego has plenty of amazing destinations where you can park your RV as you explore the California coast.
Here are our top picks for the best RV camping in San Diego!
Best RV Camping in San Diego
Best for Families
Mission Bay RV Resort
Welcome to Mission Bay RV Resort, a campground packed full of fun activities to keep your family occupied between adventures in San Diego proper!
The resort is located in the De Anza Cove area of Mission Bay, tucked away from the more crowded parts of the park. You’ll be able to retreat from the hustle and bustle and relax, whether that’s in your RV, lounging poolside or on the beach, or hanging out in the clubhouse!
The Mission Bay Resort clubhouse is outfitted with plenty of games and TVs, so if your kids need something to entertain them, they can head straight there.
They can also play horseshoes, basketball, or even pickleball!
All Mission Bay RV campsites provide full hookups. If needed, you will also have access to restrooms and showers in the resort.
Another fun perk: anyone staying at Mission Bay Resort is also welcome to head over to Campland on the Bay, another nearby campground, and partake in their activities!
San Diego Metro KOA
If you’re looking for something with a whole heap of amenities and modern comforts, the San Diego Metro KOA is the campground for you and your family.
At the KOA campground, you’ll have access to a full hookup, a concrete patio, a fire ring, and even cable!
There’s no shortage of activities for you and your family to take part in, either. You can go for a swim in the pool, soak in the hot tub, scale the climbing wall, play around on the jumping pillows, and even play some ping-pong, basketball, or horseshoes!
That’s not even an exhaustive list of all that KOA has to offer. No matter what you choose to do, you’ll never be bored at San Diego Metro KOA!
If you do decide to get out of the campground for a bit, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area, as well. You’re only a twenty to thirty-minute drive away from SeaWorld California and even closer to the San Diego Zoo!
Paradise by the Sea RV Resort
If you’re in California to experience the shoreline more than the city, Paradise by the Sea will be the best destination for your RV adventure.
Paradise by the Sea RV Resort is true to its name: located mere minutes away from the North Shore, it’s difficult to get a much closer parking spot for your RV than this.
When you choose this as your San Diego RV camping destination, you can walk straight to Buccaneer Beach without having to deal with parking fees, crowded walkways, or lugging your beach gear from whatever far-off parking lot you did manage to find.
You can book sites outfitted with full hookups. The park also offers free Wi-Fi access, showers and restrooms, and a rec room for your kids to entertain themselves in.
When you’re ready to venture out of the campground, you’ll have plenty of exciting attractions to choose from. You’ll only be 10 minutes from Legoland California, about an hour from Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, or SeaWorld, as well as San Diego itself.
Thousand Trails Pio Pico
True to its name, Thousand Trails Pio Pico offers the opportunity to explore via trail – but that’s not all this San Diego RV camping destination has to offer!
Thousand Trails also has a playground, mini golf, a softball field, a basketball court, and more to keep you and your family entertained.
While you unfortunately won’t have beach access in this park, there are other perks to staying in Thousand Trails. You can use the swimming pool or hot tub to get your swimming fix, and if you get the itch to explore outside the park, you’re less than an hour away from San Diego itself.
Not only that but if you want to knock off two bucket list destinations on your San Diego RV camping trip, make sure you get your passport ready! Thousand Trails Pio Pico is only a short drive away from the Mexico border; you could visit San Diego one day and Mexico the next!
The RV sites here have electric and water hookups, but not all sites include sewer. If you end up booking a site without it, you can always use the campground’s restrooms!
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park
Sweetwater Summit Regional Park is for those who want to be close to San Diego with the option to retreat into peace and quiet when needed.
This San Diego RV camping park is far from the beachside, but that comes with a perk: far fewer crowds to deal with. Instead, you can enjoy a system of family-friendly trails, a splash pad, and even some fishing!
Most sites here offer electric and water hookups, but not all. Make sure you double-check what your site includes while booking!
Burnt Rancheria Campground
If you’re in California for the forests, not the beaches, Burnt Rancheria has what you need for your ideal San Diego RV camping trip.
Located in the Cleveland National Forest, Burnt Rancheria Campground will get you close enough to San Diego to take a day trip or two while still keeping you out of the beach and city chaos.
These RV sites do not have hookups, so be prepared for a more rustic camping experience.
The campground offers guided hikes, stargazing events, and fire rings for feasting on some s’mores!
Once you get the chance to unwind a bit, you can grab some snacks and make the hour-long trek over to San Diego to soak up the city life.
Best for Couples
San Diego RV Resort
If you’re heading to San Diego for a couple’s getaway, it’s hard to get closer to the city itself than San Diego RV Resort!
Less than twenty minutes away from the heart of San Diego, the San Diego RV Resort is perfect for couples looking to steer clear of steep hotel room prices without being too far from the city.
You can park your RV at San Diego RV Resort, then head to the San Diego Trolley to travel through and around the city, visiting whatever attractions you like on its route!
San Diego RV Resort offers a full hookup, free Wi-Fi, a pool, and a hot tub to soak in after a long day of exploring San Diego.
South Carlsbad State Beach
If you’re looking for a quieter San Diego RV camping destination where you can experience both the outdoors and the city, South Carlsbad State Beach has it all.
While it’s a bit further away from the city proper–roughly a half an hour’s drive–it’s still an easy trek to make with only two people.
While staying at South Carlsbad State Beach campground, you can take part in activities such as surfing, shell hunting, and even skin diving (also known as free diving!). Skin diving is a good option for those who want the experience of scuba diving but don’t have a scuba diving certification.
Some sites provide full hookups, but not all. Be sure to double-check when booking your San Diego RV camping trip, and call if you’re unsure!
Best for Pet Owners
La Pacifica RV Resort
Want to stay close to the city but don’t want to leave your furry friends at home when RV camping in San Diego?
La Pacifica RV Resort is pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your pups along for the fun. It’s also located less than a mile away from one of the San Diego Trolley stops, so no need to worry about driving yourself to the city. You can leave the RV and your vehicle behind and let the trolley take you where you want to go.
La Pacifica also offers a heated pool, free Wi-Fi, full hookup, and even trash services!
Your furry family members won’t be the only ones enjoying your stay, either–La Pacifica’s clubhouse is outfitted with games, TVs with cable and DVD players, and comfy couches to lounge on. Good luck getting your kids out of there!
Santa Fe Park RV Resort
Santa Fe Park RV Resort is another RV camping spot in San Diego that is happy to welcome dogs alongside their owners.
Less than twenty minutes away from San Diego, you’ll find these RV sites outfitted with full hookups, concrete-paved parking spots, and plenty of space for your pet to play.
While there are restrictions on taking dogs onto San Diego beaches, if you make the 15-minute trip down to Dog Beach, you and your pups can both enjoy lounging on the shore! Dog Beach is leash-free, so your dogs can frolic to their hearts’ content.
Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay
Sun Outdoors is also pet-friendly, but this campground takes it a step further–it has a dog park on the grounds!
This gorgeous RV camping spot in San Diego allows you to let your dog get their zoomies out in the park instead of your RV. (Have you ever seen a dog try to zoom in a confined space? It doesn’t go well for anyone–least of all your RV!)
Sun Outdoors has plenty to offer for its human patrons, too. You can visit the Getaway Cafe to sample dishes from both Mexico and SoCal, visit the splash pad or pool, or even hop on the complimentary shuttle to visit the Living Coast Discovery Center.
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a great place to experience wildlife and nature. You can explore the trails, visit their aquariums and other exhibits, and even attend a compost workshop if you visit on a Sunday!
Best Unique Destinations
Campland On The Bay
Remember how staying at Mission Bay RV Resort allows you to experience the amenities in another campground as well? Campland On The Bay is that campground!
Campland is a unique destination for San Diego RV camping for a few reasons. Firstly, it offers waterfront RV sites with full hookups. You can stay right on the beach without having to dry camp…or worry about a pricey hotel stay!
For the adults in the San Diego RV camping group, you can visit the Cantina, Campland’s bar and lounge. If you’re visiting during the summer, your kids will be able to partake in a whole heap of activities ranging from dodgeball to soccer to plunging down a waterslide!
(Don’t worry, grown-ups–there’s an 18+ session of dodgeball, too!)
Admiral Baker RV Park
Attention, military veterans: Admiral Baker RV Park is the San Diego RV camping destination for you!
Admiral Baker RV Park is specifically open only to those who are serving or have served in the military.
Only 16 minutes away from San Diego, Admiral Baker offers plenty of things to do between visits to the city when you’re RV camping in San Diego.
You can try your hand at volleyball or basketball, play with your kids on the “extensive playground equipment,” or take a dip in the pool.
Admiral Baker offers full hookup for your RV, as well as a laundry room and access to showers.
Tijuana River Valley
Last but not least on the list of the best RV camping spots in San Diego is Tijuana River Valley Campground!
Tijuana River Valley only offers primitive campsites, so if you choose to park your RV here, you’ll be boondocking for the duration of your San Diego RV camping trip.
However, the perks of this unusual campground make it worth the slight inconvenience!
There’s plenty to do inside the campground, including bocce ball and cornhole. If you choose to explore the trails, you can walk all the way to the Pacific…or even to the Mexican border!
Another unique trait of this San Diego RV camping destination: they have a bird and butterfly garden! You can observe these busy pollinators at work while enjoying the fresh air and mild California weather before making your way to San Diego.
San Diego is only about 25 minutes away from this campground. You can take your trip out to the city and get back in plenty of time to enjoy the sunset in peace and quiet!
Say Hello To San Diego!
Wherever you choose to park your RV, you’ll have no shortage of adventures to take when staying in the best RV camping spots in San Diego.
For more recommendations for RV camping destinations, visit our RV camping section now!
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Cassidy Eubanks is a proud Michigander, an avid reader, and a writer for Apple Pie Media. Her bachelor’s in Creative Writing has fueled her love of storytelling in all its forms…including campfire stories!
With many years of both tent camping and RV camping under her belt, the ability to roll her ankle multiple times without actually spraining it while hiking, and a foolproof method for making the perfect s’more, Cassidy loves sharing different tips, tricks, and tools on Beyond the Tent to make your camping trip as simple and stress-free as possible.