The Must-Visit California Coast RV Getaway
Considering a beach getaway in Northern California? We highly recommend an RV vacation at Westport RV Park and Campground, just off Highway 1.
Wondering what to expect from Westport RV Park? We’ve got you covered. In this article, we will discuss why we adore this campground, and offer some tips for making the most out of your visit.
Why visit Westport RV Park and Campground?
First, let’s talk about why we love this well-reviewed park, and why we think you will love it just as much as we do.
Beachside location
Easily the best thing about Westport RV Park is the location. This park is right on the beach. And no, we aren’t talking a few miles down the road. At this park, you can literally wake up in the morning and go on a short stroll to the sand to watch the sunrise!
Westport RV Park offers 175 campsites with Premium Full Hookups, Full Hookups, or No Hookups. The Premium Full Hookup sites include creekside and oceanfront sites, along with power, water, sewer, and limited Wi-Fi.
People love taking their dogs to play on the beach, and we highly recommend a sunset picnic by the water. If you’re an ocean person, this is one big benefit you’re sure to adore.
- Watch the sunset at Westport Beach RV Park. Photo via website
Fort Bragg nearby
The town of Westport is a tiny place, and there isn’t a whole lot to see or do there. While we do recommend exploring Westport a little (you can actually walk there from the campground), you will also want to drive south to Fort Bragg, which is about half an hour away. This town has everything you might want or need, including delicious places to eat and fun things to do, like visiting a glass beach.
Great sites
Lastly, we really love the sites at this park. While some say the sites are a bit tight for their liking, we feel they are plenty big enough. The sites are well kept and include full hookups, all of which are in excellent working order. The sites are not paved, nor do they have gravel, but the dirt is packed tight, so there aren’t issues with getting stuck, and the sites are level—a major bonus, in our opinion.
Westport RV Park Tips
Clearly, Westport RV Park is a nice campground. That said, we do have some tips to offer that will make your stay an even better one. Use these tips when planning your trip and we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful time.
Bring what you need
As mentioned before, the town of Westport is pretty small, and though there is a little market there, they don’t have everything. Yes, you can get practically anything you might want or need in Fort Bragg, but if you don’t want to drive half an hour away, we recommend making sure you pack everything you might need, including all of your groceries. This will save you time, gas, and frustration later.
Prepare to be unplugged
The park does have Wi-Fi available. That said, it is pretty limited, and cell signal is pretty much non-existent in this remote location. Therefore, you will want to come prepared to be unplugged from the rest of the world while you’re visiting.
If you absolutely need to check your email or social media, you can drive down the road to get some cell signal, but we recommend welcoming the break from staying constantly connected and enjoying your family and vacation time screen-free.
Carry quarters
The showers at this campground are pay showers. This means you need quarters in order to operate them. If you plan to use the campground showers rather than the shower in your RV, keep this in mind and make sure to pack plenty of quarters.
Visit during the Whale Festival
In March of each year, Fort Bragg hosts a whale festival. During this event, guests can try local beer and wine as well as chowder while watching for whales from the beaches. This is a super fun community event, and because whales are often spotted during the event, it might just be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of these giants of the deep.
Eat at Silvers at the Wharf
Also in Fort Bragg, Silvers at the Wharf comes highly recommended by those who camp at Westport RV Park. This seafood restaurant serves up favorites such as clam chowder, fish and chips, scallops, prawns, seafood pastas and salads, and more. It also boasts outdoor seating with an incredible view of the water.
See the Redwoods
Coastal Redwood trees are scattered all over this area. Be sure to take some time to appreciate these amazing trees. Visit the drive-thru redwood tree in Leggett, drive 10 miles north on Highway 1 to see a lovely grove of the trees along the Cottoneva Creek, or seek out another place to explore amongst these beautiful giants.
Want to learn even more about Westport RV Park? Check out RV LIFE Campgrounds to find out what other campers think about this beachside campground.
For all of your camping and trip planning needs, look no further than RV LIFE Trip Wizard. With its accompanying RV LIFE App, RV LIFE Trip Wizard gets you to your camping destinations utilizing RV-friendly routes specific to your RV and travel preferences.
Chelsea Gonzales is a full-time RVer, freelance writer, and roadschooling mama who loves sharing her expertise about RVing with kids, roadschooling, and full-time RVing. The entrepreneurial and free-spirited author is also artistic director of the Aistear Mobile Irish Dance Academy, and currently travels with her family in a 27-foot travel trailer. Chelsea’s informational articles about full-time RVing, raising children on the road, camping, and destination features appear on her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander. throughout the RV LIFE network, and in RV industry media outlets such as Outdoorsy, Coach-Net, and RV Share.
Since it is very easy to spend $200-400 per night at a motel in Fort Bragg per night, this an excellent option. Great breakfasts, lunches and dinners in Ft. Bragg. Excellent seafood as well.
Wine bargain at the Safeway in Ft. Bragg. Cheaper than most places even direct from the winery in Napa or Sonoma.
We stayed there 2 years ago. It’s exactly as described! Enjoy an incredibly calm, lovely view in a fine campground.
1. Sites are not paved or leveled, just good ol earth, dirt, weeds, and stickers.
2. Bring a sewer support because the sewer connection is high off the ground and up a curb,
see pic.
3. Only 3 of the Premium Beach Sites can see the beach the others are behind a dune/berm
and can’t see the beach sitting in a chair in front of your RV.
4. The 4th beach front site is a permanent resident with a big old fifth wheel. Kind of an eye
soar that blocks a nice view. I noticed other people in those beachfront sites use tactics
(vans/trucks, covered popups) to block their site from passersby… no view for you!
5. When checking in, the lady said very seriously and looking me in the eye ‘If your dogs are
off leash at anytime we will ask you to leave and no refund”. “You’ve been told.” Yikes.
6. The ocean is a good 300 to 400 yards from the campground. Keep in mind the sand gets
very hot after about noon on a sunny day. If it’s too hot for your bare feet it is too hot for your
dog’s paws!! I learned the hard way and carried them back.
7. A lot of signs posted everywhere on what you can not do. And what we termed the
‘WestPort Patrol’ come by in their ATV to check your tags and whatever else several times a
day.
8. Bathrooms are just passable. I didn’t use the showers but another lady said she got in (got
undressed) put her quarters and nothing…no water for you! The bathroom stalls are very tight,
your knees practically hit the door sitting down.
9. Even though the website doesn’t let you book specific sites you have to call and talk to the
‘Reservation Specialist’. We had a Premium Beach spot and when we showed up I asked for
one of the beach-front open sites they said it was already booked and to call the Reservation
Specialist.
The Drive
We are from Sacramento and took 50 / 37 /101 /128 /1, based on the suggestions from a
Westport employee when I called. After talking to several guests while we were there, they said
‘oh no!, take 5 North to 20 east to 1’. Boy were they right, so much easier and shorter!! We have
a 34’ Travel Trailer.
It might sound like I’m being negative but I’m not, it’s just information I wish I had to better
prepare or to have more reasonable expectations. The place was pretty occupied all the time
with most being return visitors.
Scariest drive ever with our 27’ bumper pull from 101 south to 1 south. Extremely narrow, twisty road with many logging trucks hauling ass. Campground was ok. Mgt. was pretty uptight in general. Laundry was closed due to water shortage? They sure didn’t tell us that when we booked it. Not going back, mostly due to the scary highway 1 drive.