Free or low cost beach camping...?

CA Traveler wrote:

WishWeWereCamping wrote:
I've never heard of Aliva Beach. Where is that?

Typo - Avila Beach, CA

Avila Beach is just NW of Pismo Beach.

Padre Island National Seashore. Two campgrounds one on the ocean and one on the bay and 60 miles of sand to drive and park on.

WishWeWereCamping wrote:
I've never heard of Aliva Beach. Where is that?

Typo - Avila Beach, CA

I've never heard of Aliva Beach. Where is that?

If you've read beyond the arguments and discension,:R I can tell you of Port Aransas, Tx. For a $15 window sticker you can pull up along the beach road there and camp with your RV, but only for a limited time. You will have to check with the Chamber of Commerce there to get the rules for that it may change before you arrive, but be ready for the salt air, it coats everything so make sure you hit the local car wash after your stay. You will find lots of fishing charters that won't break the bank, one charges $50 to go all day in the Bay side of the Gulf Coast. Could be a lot of fun for you. There is also a jetty there that extends out into the Gulf about a mile. Good fishing and lotsa sea turtles and dolphins cruise the channel all day. Very worth the trip. And you will be able to arrive there via ferry that will take you and your RV/toad across the Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW)and you may spot dolphins on your five minute shuttle across the ICW. South of Mustang Island you will find PINS Padre Island National Seashore and if you have a four wheel drive you can run the beach for more than 50 miles. But don't get stuck, it will ruin your stay. Good luck and keep smilin'.

As some of you have said, California aint cheap. I'm listing Ca state parks since they are as cheap as it gets. Most of the ones I've seen so far run from $35 to $65. I'm seeing closure warnings, because of budget problems, on some of the websites

I'm using "beach" in the broadest terms. If it's next to the ocean and you can walk on it, park on or near it, it's a beach for the purpose of this list.

I like the boats...if I win the lotto you'll see me in a Grand Banks 49 (Or a Cape Horn 55 if it's a big pot :)) when I'm not in the RV.

Thanks again everyone.

PS, for you boat owners, if you're not already involved, the Coast Guard Aux can always use some help.

If we are going to debate what a beach is supposed to look like, this to me, is what a beach is supposed to look like.:)







Our pre RV days.

Well, the definition for "Beach" found in the dictionaries I looked at say:

beach: A landform area of shoreline along an ocean, sea, lake, or river comprised of sand or stones and void of vegetation.

So I guess a grass covered area along water wouldn't be considered a beach!

What is a beach? Does it have to be on an ocean shore? Does it have to be sand?

This one is only $8 a night.


There are others along the shore somewhat grassier, but can't be reserved because COE can't guarantee the campsite will not be underwater the day you arrive.

If that qualifies, you will find such sites at many COE facilities on reservoirs, but you can't camp on the beach or drive a RV down to the shore, you must use the designated campsites.

bikendan wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:
You go first! :)

I see you're from California... where in your State is free beach camping allowed?

yea, me too! i've been camping in California for over 30 years and i'd like to see what the OP comes up with.
even the cheapest state beach sites cost $35 per nite and that's no hookups of any kind.

Well $35 is low cost for CA beaches so going with that:

While I don't have current prices: Oceano Dunes is the only State Beach that you can drive on. Camping along 101 in the Ventura area is another possibility. Bodega Bay has several CGs in that price range. The pullout at Aliva Beach. Others?

If you think $35 isn’t low in CA then you haven’t paid $90 at say Dockweiler State Beach.