The main West Coast highway, Interstate 5, runs all the way from the California-Mexico border north to the Washington-Canada border. It connects most of the major cities from San Diego and Los Angeles to Portland and Seattle. It largely parallels Highway 101 and California Route 1, or more famously known as the Pacific Coast Highway.
Interstate 5 has easy access to countless RV campgrounds along its 1,300+ miles. These are five of the many scenic places where you can camp just off the highway in California.
Plan your trip and find more great stops along the way on RV LIFE Trip Wizard
1. San Elijo State Beach
Catching the sunset at San Elijo State Beach. Photo by Jonathan K./TripAdvisor
San Elijo State Beach is one of many beaches in Southern California where you can camp by the Pacific Ocean. This popular beach is a quick detour off Interstate 5 and Highway 101 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea on the San Diego Coast.
The beach has campsites within walking distance of the ocean as well as restrooms, showers, a pet area, laundry facilities, a dump station, and a camp store. Their rates currently range from only $35 to $50 for a premium site with an ocean view and $60 for a site with full hookups. The campground gets crowded often, so reserving your spot ahead of time is highly recommended.
2. Doheny State Beach
Oceanfront camping at Doheny State Beach. Photo via TripAdvisor
Doheny State Beach is less than ten minutes off the interstate in Dana Point. The southern end of the beach has dry campsites (with no hookups) that can fit motorhomes and trailers up to about 35 feet. The northern end of the beach draws in picnickers, surfers, and volleyball players. The visitor center also has five aquariums you can browse to learn more about marine life.
Their current rate is about $40 a night and reservations can be made ahead of time through ReserveCalifornia.com.
3. Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
Castaic Lake Recreation Area California
Castaic Lake Recreation Area lies north of Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. This state park has tent and RV-friendly campsites including some right along the water. The lake is popular among boaters and fishers; if you don’t bring your own watercraft, the park also has boat rentals available. There are hiking trails you can take for scenic views of the lake, as well as trails for equestrians.
The campground has a minimum stay of two nights with a decent rate of $20/night ($40 total). It makes for a very affordable place to stay (especially compared to hotels) while you see the many attractions in the Los Angeles area.
4. RiverPoint Landing Marina Resort
Waterfront RV sites at RiverPoint Landing Marina Resort. Photo via Facebook
RiverPoint Landing Marina Resort is only minutes from I-5 along the San Joaquin River. It is centrally located and a day trip away from Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, and the coast. Most of their sites are along the waterfront and all have 30/50 amp power.
Their rates range from $37-65, but you can check their website for current specials. The resort also has a dump station, showers, laundry facilities, and free WiFi.
5. Mountain Gate RV Park
Mountain Gate RV Park in Redding. Photo via TripAdvisor
Mountain Gate RV Park is close to I-5 in Redding as well as many of the attractions in Northern California like Shasta Lake, Burney Falls, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Their RV park includes 122 sites with full hookups, cabins, a pool, playground, laundry facilities, and a camp store.
Their current rates for RV sites vary on the size of your rig. Small RV sites (21 feet and under) are $37 a night and large RV sites (22 feet and above) are $43 (plus tax). They also offer a 10% discount for AAA members.
See also: Take This Road Trip On The Southernmost Cross-Country Highway
Wow, for you to mention Castaic lake is pretty cool, since it is in my backyard. The lake campsites are pretty cool, last time I took a walk thru there I don’t remember seeing any type of hook ups. I do remember that ths campground is located on the lower lagoon below the lake spillway, not to large and has public restrooms. I also know Castaic RV park which is within walking distance to the lake and has all of your typical amenities to include full hook ups. Yes it is more expensive. Nice little article, ofcourse you know you didn’t even come close to scratching the surface of the numerous amount of campsites between San Diego and Ca/Or border along the I-5. I won’t even attempt to list them all but some not right next to the highway but well worth the stay. And then you also have the more seasonal ones. Personally I love Northern California much better than Southern California. That is kinda funny seeing how I live in Southern California. Happy Camping and Happy Holloween.
For those crossing from I-5 to Highway 101 (or going in the other direction), the main road to take north of San Francisco and Sacramento is Highway 20, which runs along the northeast shore of Clear Lake – California’s largest lake. That stretch along the shoreline, alone, is worth the trip. And the incredible view can be enjoyed by RV’ers at the Aurora RV Park in Nice, which has nearly 800′ of lake frontage, free canoe and kayak use, Wifi, beautiful restrooms (with spacious hot showers), an awesome staff, and much more.
You missed Durango RV Resort in Red Bluff and Flag City RV Park in Flag City. Both are right off I-5 and have great accommodations. Orange Grove is on Highway 58 about 8 miles East of Bakersfield with great sites and oranges to pick during season!
$20 a night is a good price but those that are over $35 a night are just to expensive for us so we stay in Canada for the free areas to park and relax for months on end. Most of those campgrounds have been around for years and years and paid them selves off many times over but they keep jacking prices up and up. So if over $35 for our little 24′ we pass on it.