A short drive south of Los Angeles in Orange County, Huntington Beach has long been a favorite among surfers—owing largely to its year-round swells—earning it the nickname “Surf City.” While the 9.5-mile-long beach here is the city's biggest draw, there are also plenty of things to do inland, from visiting the International Surfing Museum to shopping for beachwear and souvenirs in local shops. While you can't camp at the beach here, you'll find plenty of campgrounds in Crystal Cove State Park, less than a half-hour drive south of town.
While you're in the area, spend a little time exploring other stretches of the oftentimes sunny Southern California coastline. While you can't camp at Huntington Beach, there are plenty of beaches where you can within a short drive away, including San Elijo State Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach, both of which take just over an hour to reach by car.
North of Los Angeles County is the beginning of California's Central Coast region, a quieter (and not always as warm) alternative to busy Southern California. Here you’ll find a mix of quiet coves and sandy beaches, plus miles of forest-flanked coastline. Beachfront camping is available at El Capitán State Beach, just outside of Santa Barbara.
Head inland and you'll eventually find yourself in the Mojave Desert. This dry expanse is home to some of Southern California’s prettiest natural features along with two national parks: Death Valley and Joshua Tree.
Huntington Beach is great throughout the year. The warmest time to visit is, naturally, in the summer months, but this time of year also gets lots of crowds, and area campgrounds and hotels fill up fast. September is a good time to visit if you want swimming-weather without the masses. While you can surf year-round, you'll find the best waves in the wintertime, when powerful western and northwestern swells are the norm.