California may be the single best state in the country for military RV camping. It has more military installations than almost anywhere, an unmatched variety of scenery — Pacific beaches, redwood coast, Sierra mountains, and Mojave desert — and a mild climate that makes camping a year-round option. For military families, California’s FamCamps and Navy Getaways RV parks put beachfront sites, mountain lakes, and big-city access within reach at a fraction of civilian campground prices. This guide covers the verified FamCamps, Navy RV parks, Marine Corps campgrounds, and MWR recreation areas across California, organized by region, with firsthand notes on what to expect.
Every campground listed here is open to eligible military ID holders — active duty, retirees, veterans, and DoD civilians, depending on the facility. Many sit right on the ocean or a lake, and nightly rates run well below comparable civilian RV parks. As always, confirm current availability and access rules with the installation before you travel.
San Diego & Southern California Coast
San Diego is the crown jewel of military RV camping in America — a dense cluster of Navy and Marine Corps campgrounds along some of the best coastline in the country, with year-round perfect weather.
- Fiddler’s Cove Marina & RV Park (NAB Coronado) — A popular waterfront RV park on the Silver Strand near Coronado, with a marina and easy access to San Diego Bay.
- North Island Beach Cottages (NAS North Island, Coronado) — Beach cottage rentals on the Coronado peninsula.
- Admiral Baker Park RV Park (Naval Base San Diego) — An inland RV park at the Admiral Baker recreation complex, with a golf course on-site.
- Bay View Cottages & RV Park (Naval Base San Diego) — RV sites and cottages convenient to Naval Base San Diego.
- Del Mar Beach Resort (MCB Camp Pendleton) — Beachfront RV sites and cottages right on the sand at Camp Pendleton — one of the most sought-after military beach camping spots anywhere.
- San Onofre Beach Cottages & Campsites (MCB Camp Pendleton) — Bluff-top and beach camping at the north end of Pendleton, near world-famous surf breaks.
- Lake O’Neill Recreation Park (MCB Camp Pendleton) — A lakeside campground inland on Pendleton, with fishing, boat rentals, and easy access to San Diego attractions.
- Seal Beach RV Park / Seabreeze (NWS Seal Beach) — A small, convenient RV park in Orange County near the beaches and Los Angeles attractions.
San Diego insider tip: The beachfront sites at Del Mar and San Onofre are among the most in-demand military camping reservations in the entire country — book the moment your window opens. The whole San Diego cluster stays busy year-round thanks to the climate, so plan ahead regardless of season.
The Central Coast
California’s Central Coast — from Ventura up through Monterey — offers cooler, scenic ocean camping with some genuinely spectacular settings.
- Point Mugu Beach Hotel & RV Park (NB Ventura County) — Oceanfront RV sites at Point Mugu, right on the beach north of Malibu.
- Fairways RV Resort (NB Ventura County – Port Hueneme) — A tidy RV resort at Port Hueneme with golf-course surroundings and beach access nearby.
- Vandenberg SFB FamCamp (Lompoc) — A Space Force FamCamp near Lompoc with full-hookup sites and access to on-base beaches at Wall Beach and Minuteman Beach.
- Wall Beach Cabins & Campground (Vandenberg SFB) — A small, rustic beachfront spot on Vandenberg for those wanting to camp right on the Central Coast sand.
- Monterey Pines RV Campground (NSA Monterey) — A well-run campground in Monterey, minutes from Cannery Row, the aquarium, and 17-Mile Drive.
Central Coast insider tip: Vandenberg’s beaches are a hidden gem — quiet, wild, and rarely crowded. The Central Coast runs cooler and foggier than SoCal, so pack layers even in summer.
Northern California & the Bay Area
- Travis AFB FamCamp (Fairfield) — A convenient FamCamp between San Francisco and Sacramento, a great basecamp for wine country and the Bay Area.
- Beale AFB RV Park (Marysville) — An award-winning lakeside FamCamp on Beale AFB in the Gold Country north of Sacramento — an affordable, quiet stop on the way to Lake Tahoe.
The San Joaquin Valley
- Lemoore RV Park (NAS Lemoore) — A Navy RV park in the Central Valley, a practical stopover between Southern and Northern California.
The California Desert & Inland
Inland and desert California offers wide-open camping and gateway access to Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and the Mojave.
- Twentynine Palms RV Park / Twilight Dunes (MCAGCC Twentynine Palms) — A desert RV park at the doorstep of Joshua Tree National Park.
- Fort Irwin RV Park (Fort Irwin) — An Army RV park in the high Mojave near Barstow.
- Oasis RV Park (MCLB Barstow) — A Marine Corps RV park in Barstow, a handy stop on the I-15 route to Las Vegas.
- March ARB FamCamp (Riverside) — A FamCamp in the Inland Empire near Riverside, with easy freeway access across Southern California.
- China Lake RV Park (NAWS China Lake, Ridgecrest) — A desert Navy RV park near the eastern Sierra and gateway to Death Valley.
- El Centro RV Park (NAF El Centro) — A far-south desert Navy park near the Mexican border, popular with winter visitors.
- Fort Hunter Liggett Primitive Campground (Jolon) — Primitive Army camping on the vast Fort Hunter Liggett reservation in the Central Coast foothills.
Desert insider tip: Desert camping is best October through April — summer temperatures in Twentynine Palms, Barstow, and El Centro regularly top 100°F. Full-hookup sites with 50-amp service let you run AC, which you’ll want.
Who can stay at California military campgrounds?
Eligibility varies slightly by facility, but most California FamCamps and Navy Getaways RV parks are open to active duty, retirees, National Guard and Reserve members, 100% disabled veterans, and DoD civilians. Since 2020, access at many installations has expanded to include veterans with a service-connected disability rating and Purple Heart recipients. The beachfront parks around San Diego often give active duty reservation priority. A valid military or DoD ID is required for base access at all locations.
Tips for military RV camping in California
- Book beach sites the instant your window opens. Del Mar, San Onofre, Point Mugu, and the San Diego cluster are among the most competitive military reservations in the country.
- Match the region to the season. The coast is comfortable year-round; the desert is a winter destination; the Sierra is a summer hiking or winter ski trip.
- Plan for California’s size. San Diego to the Oregon border is a two-day drive — the inland and valley FamCamps make excellent, affordable stopovers.
- Always verify before you travel. Gate access rules, rates, and availability change. Call the campground office directly to confirm — every listing on Military RV Sites includes the current phone number.
Explore all California military campgrounds
This guide covers the highlights, but California has even more military camping options. Browse all verified California military campgrounds → filtered by state and branch, with amenities, hookups, phone numbers, and access details for each.
Military RV Sites is an independent directory and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense. All information is provided for informational purposes only and should be verified directly with each installation before travel.