Skip Europe This Summer: This Town in Northern California Is Just as Charming as the Uk’s Southern Seaside

The highlight of Crystal Cove State Park is its 3 miles of stunning Pacific Coastline right smack in the heart of busy and bustling Orange County, California. This place is a straight up coastal oasis right in the middle of one of the most densely populated parts of the state. The park is often packed with hikers, bikers, surfers, sunbathers, swimmers, and those simply strolling along on the beach in one of the park’s seven coves exploring the tide pools.

The Moro Campground is situated (somewhat) high above the beach with sweeping views of the ocean from some of the campsites—and the sunsets, as you might expect, are colorful and often epic. Most of the sites are large and offer some scrubby bushes that create privacy between the sites—though there isn’t much shade. Tent campers here love the clean restrooms and hot showers and everyone loves that the park is clean and well maintained by its famously friendly staff. Keep your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins swimming by and don’t forget your hiking shoes—there are real trails in the park if you want a break from the beach.

National Park Gateway: Upper Pines Campground, Yosemite Valley

Wake up surrounded by the delicious smell of ponderosa pines, the gentle sounds of the Merced River, and views of Yosemite’s granite cliffs at this iconic national park’s largest campground. Upper Pines has 238 sites that can handle trailers up to 25 feet and motorhomes up to 35 feet and it's a tent camper’s paradise. There are three other campgrounds inside of Yosemite National Park but this is our top pick because of the wide variety of sites for small and medium sized RVs.

The back-in sites on the exterior side of each loop are preferable because there will be no one behind you. Interior sites are still great if that’s all you can get—but you will have less privacy and more neighbors.

You can walk directly from your site to several of the park’s most famous hiking trails —some of which are easy like the hike to Mirror Lake, and some of which are incredibly difficult, like the hike to Half Dome. Getting reservations can be tricky—so try to make your reservations right when the booking window opens. Cancellations do happen—so if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Explore More Campgrounds in California

California’s incredible diversity makes it one of the most exciting camping destinations in the country. Whether you want to sleep under towering redwoods, wake up to Pacific Ocean views, or camp near some of the most iconic national parks, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you. The key is planning ahead—especially for the most sought-after locations.

Where Should We Camp Next?

If you're looking for even more inspiration, the "Where Should We Camp Next?" series features dozens of additional campground recommendations across California and beyond, ensuring you’ll always find the perfect place to set up camp.