The best camping near Point Loma Tide Pools

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Point Loma Tide Pools adventure.

Discover the enchanting Point Loma Tide Pools, a marine wonderland.

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Community favorites near Point Loma Tide Pools

Top-rated campgrounds near Point Loma Tide Pools

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San Diego Mountain Lodge

47 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Santa Ysabel, CA

San Diego Mountain Lodge is a beautiful escape to nature sprawled out over about 40 acres on a breathtaking spot that we call Hideout Mountain in Santa Ysabel, CA. Multiple experiences are offered: -- glamping in our vintage camper trailers, -- RV sites with full hookups and incredible views of Lake Henshaw -- campsites, -- luxury camping in our remodeled cabins (studio, 1br, and 2br cabins) each with different amenities ranging from full kitchens, wood burning fireplaces, large outdoor decks and private fire pits. Gather and share ideas with fellow guests at our community firepit and picnic tables. What makes Hideout Mountain a magical place? #1 on the list are the stunning views as far as the eye can see of Lake Henshaw and the valley and surrounding mountains. We also have a one-of-a-kind, world renowned restaurant and bar on the property: Josie's Hideout Saloon, open on weekends with live music. We are located just a few minutes drive away from downtown Santa Ysabel and Julian, with easy access off Hwy 76.

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(1062)

Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents67 acres · Palomar Mountain, CA

This land has been a community gathering space for the Native's Ceremony and Healing Space for over a thousand years. Feast your eyes upon the Matates and traces of the people that once gathered here so long ago.Upon the mid 1800's we had a Settler named Nate Harrison find this to be the ideal space, and he set up homestead here, and lived an amazing full life. He was to become the first African American to aquire land here in San Diego County, and his homestead remains to this day; studied by archaeology students to this day.Sensitive habitat and magic lies within our gates, and we must approach the mountain as we would any sacred space; with RESPECT.We welcome you to enjoy Nate's land and inspire who you are deep inside your heart.

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Dutchman Canyon

7 sites · Tents150 acres · Dulzura, CA

This 150 acre slice of heaven contains an isolated private ephemeral stream that has run the last two years from January to July. Located down a narrow bumpy dirt road off of Highway 94 Dutchman Canyon is at 1300 feet above sea level, The temperature in Dulzura remains nice year round. There are many Oaks, Sycamores, Eucylptus, Pepper and Pine Trees on the property. The fire road has been cleared to the top of the grade and a slight ocean view is available down the Otay Valley Road view line for hikers or mountain bike enthusiasts. A hiking trail has also been cleared to a stand of Eucylptus trees on the hillside with a pond area at their base on the west facing slope. The Dulzura winery is located across the valley and we are only 1/8 mile from the General Store of Dulzura. The Tecate Border crossing to Mexico is 10 miles south of the property. Located a few miles west of Deer Valley we have deer in the canyon year round looking for fresh water from the ephemeral stream. A 19th century concrete cistern holds water year round at one location in the stream bed. Please do not burn the dead oak firewood from the property.

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Campo Nopalito

7 sites · Lodging15 acres · Valley Center, CA

Welcome to Nopalito Farm! We’re so happy you’ve decided to spend some time on this beautiful property! In case you’re interested, here are a few interesting things about our farm. Nopalito Farm has been in operation since late 2014, but the property itself has been a working farm for over 50 years. Lemons and avocados were the primary crops from the 70’s through the 00’s, and are still prominent throughout our 15 acres. Our predecessors then diversified the growing operation by planting a wide range of fruit trees ranging from guavas and passion fruit to peaches and figs. For a decade, hops were grown on 2 acres and were sold to breweries throughout southern California. We’ve since replaced the hop yard with perennial flowers, but continue to cultivate a wide variety of delicious fruits.

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San Diego Canyon Creek

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · El Cajon, CA

Try out camping without having to rough-it! You can rent the Honeycomb Cabin! Or swing through for a safe place to spend the night in your van, or tent, while taking advantage of San Diego and all it has to offer! So much to be seen or done within 30 miles! You can plan a visit to the World Famous San Diego Zoo, Museums, Sea World, Birch Aquarium, Safari Park, Lego Land and more! San Diego county has wine tasting, breweries, theaters and eateries of all kinds. There are several beaches, mountain lakes, and even the deserts! You can skydive, or scuba dive, go deep sea fishing, or lake fishing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, or walking the boardwalk! SAN DIEGO CANYON CREEK is a SMALL PATCH of WOODS, NEAR a ROAD, in a NEIGHBORHOOD. In the midst of the trees we have a great view of the stars at night. Harbison Canyon is surrounded by rocky peaks, with a creek! We have multiple species of song birds, owls, hawks, and other wildlife that live in this Riparian Habitat. There is a chorus of frogs throughout the spring nights, and crickets year round! It's a very short walk to the neighborhood park- equipped with several types of playground equipment and public creek access, or a five minute drive to a Crestridge Ecological Reserve containing multiple trails. We have three campsites and a cabin on about an acre of land. If you'd like to hang out on the property, we offer a table and chairs with each campsite to lounge in while enjoying the fresh air and nature. There are also a couple of hammocks available. In addition, our SHARED amenities include an outdoor kitchen that includes a sink with hot water, 2 mini fridges,(full at times, extra coolers available) coffee maker, a two burner stove, a griddle, a toaster oven, blender, tea kettle, and a few pans, plates, bowls, cups, and utensils. Also here to SHARE is a Propane fire pit and BBQ area. The bathroom now includes a flush toilet, sink and shower. We are continuously making improvements. Fun Fact: Harbison Canyon was named after John Stewart Harbison - aka the King of the Bee Keepers. He arrived with over one hundred colonies of bees in 1874 and within 7 years he became the world's largest honey producer! Today there are just a few bees in the area.

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Wildseeds Ranch

8 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Dulzura, CA

Wildseeds is a creative community and business incubator that focuses on providing a platform for emerging artists, musicians and local businesses to gain exposure and connect with one another. With an emphasis on personal development and professional growth, the Wildseeds community fosters a diverse and supportive environment that encourages mutual learning among its members. We believe that by leveraging our unique perspectives we can empower one another to grow. We use our expertise, privilege, networks, and collective resources to empower one another in the pursuit of our dreams and untapped potential. We firmly believe that uniting driven individuals to collaborate, innovate, and bolster each other's endeavors is far more impactful than individual efforts. We offer affordable rental spaces tailored to the needs of small business owners and creative professionals who are ready to expand their potential. Our inclusive community embraces people of all backgrounds, body types, and nonviolent self-expression.

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Cashews Garden

4 sites · Lodging, RVs2 acres · El Cajon, CA

Fully gated and secure. This is our home. I personally lived in my RV and struggled so now I offer our place for a cheap place to park .We have 2 parking spaces for your off grid fully independent max 24 foot van or small RV . We also have a cabover camper set up if you need a roof over your head with a bathroom and shower. Full equipped kitchen area. Not fancy but does the job! Coming soon is our 5th wheel. Available starting November 3rd! Has get and air conditioning. Has a shower and bathroom. Full kitchen and bedroom. Pull out couch. Table and chairs. We just scored a feee outdoor fireplace!!!! Woooohoooo!!! I will add pictures soon so you are welcome to sit by the fire! We have starter logs and firewood. We do not have hookups for your van or RV. We can offer an extension cord and shop vac for cleaning but cannot hook you up to full time power. We have a hose to fill your tanks. No dumping station here. No bathroom or shower —-however, if no one has rented the campers you can use those! Usually both are not booked! We have donkeys and a horse that you can feed watermelon to provided by us. We have a hang out area without air conditioning, with a refrigerator, sink, tables and a camping stove. Some dishes and we got a large TV and DVD donated to us! So, we added some old DVDs you can enjoy! BBQ grill We are right by the highway so it’s not quiet like in the country. However, at night I feel it’s quiet! And maybe I’m just used to it but I don’t notice the highway noise unless it’s a motorcycle. We have a fenced in place for your dog but you need to walk through where the donkeys and horse are to get there. Tiny dogs can escape under the gate . Animal manure around the field and pin. And to clarify due to someone asking! We don’t want people inside the animals pins just hanging out. We just don’t want anyone to get hurt but if you have a dog, you will pass through the donkey pin and to the dog pin. The gate closes and separates the dog area from the donkeys and horse. They are sweet and have never kicked or bit anyone and if you have a dog you get a full tour. All of our guests with dogs have had no issues at all! If your dogs are large animal friendly then we are good with them being off leash!! We love dogs! Just know that the entrance gate opens and close as we and our guests come and go at our home. We have a trampoline Basketball goal Above ground saltwater pool that you are welcome to use. We will be here when you check in to show you around. You will receive a gate code on arrival so you can come and go. We are family friendly No drugs or heavy drinking No leaving children unattended No entering into animals pins. We are just starting to set things up. We are working on a garden. We have avocados and oranges.

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Thundering Hawk Retreat

10 sites · Lodging40 acres · Valley Center, CA

Welcome to our Hipcamp located on a 40-acre flower farm in the heart of Valley Center. As soon as you arrive, you'll be surrounded by lush greenery. The sound of the creek flowing nearby will immediately put you at ease. Our serene setting is the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Our property is bursting with color and nature, thanks to the many types of flowers and plants that we cultivate here. You'll love wandering through the fields and taking in the beauty that surrounds you. Whether you're a nature lover or just looking for a peaceful getaway, our Hipcamp is the perfect place to disconnect and recharge. At night, the stars shine bright overhead, and the peaceful sounds of the creek and wildlife create a calming atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're camping in a tent, staying in a camper, or enjoying one of our glamping bell tents, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our farm. We can't wait to share our little slice of paradise with you! Follow us on Instagram @thunderinghawkretreat

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Rogue Farm

1 site · RV6 acres · Ramona, CA

Hi there, Welcome to Rogue Farm. We have 1 RV spot available on a small, quiet organic vegetable farm in Ramona, CA. Ramona is located in San Diego County. The property is 30-45 min from the center of San Diego and is 5 min from shopping/grocery stores in town. The property is located near the mountains, there are hiking trails, loads of wineries and farms. We have a small farmstand on the property (we sell our produce from it) as well as farm animals (horses, cows, goats, pigs, poultry). The site has electrical and water hookups. There is no septic available. We love visitors and are happy to share our farm. For those with animals: All dogs must be kept in a leash when outside on the farm. We have livestock that not all dogs have been around and are used to interacting with them. Please be respectful of our farm animals, this is their home.

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Santa Ysabel Dark Sky Retreat

1 site · Tent10 acres · Julian, CA

Disconnect at this quiet campsite (zero neighbors) that is located in a dark sky zone. Gaze at the Milky Way at night as you relax while listening to the sounds of nature. Come here to disconnect from city life and recharge while enjoying the smell of wild lilac and sage. Private mountain camp site at 3200 feet. Enough space to pitch 3 tents. Water tank on site for dish washing and showers. Small propane bbq for cooking.

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The Crest Co-Op

3 sites · RVs1 acre · Spring Valley, CA

Hi! We look forward to the opportunity of hosting you! Please make sure you read this entire section to ensure a mutual fit. Please also make sure that you message us the type and length of your vehicle/camper/RV when sending a booking request. People that stay with us love our views. The view from our large driveway where you'll be parked faces north where you will see the 3 largest peaks in the region, and at the top of our driveway you can see the ocean and downtown San Diego. The sunsets are unreal! Our guests also love the recommendations. As avid travelers that fell in love with San Diego, we can offer recommendations for the best restaurants for any dietary situation, beaches, breweries, bars, surf spots, distilleries, coffee shops, hikes, or whatever you are into. When you submit a request or message, please let us know what kind of vehicle you have, especially the length. Please note that if the total length of your vehicle (for those with trailers that includes the length of the truck nad hitch) should be under 33 ft. This is a general guideline since we've found some people with larger vehicles struggle to turn around in our driveway. Also please let us know if you plan to use electricity or water, and add on the electricity since this costs us a lot of money. San Diego Gas and Energy charges the most for energy than anywhere else in the country (our average electricity bill is over $700 per month) so we unfortunately have to pass on some of these costs if you decide to plug in. Wifi and water are free. Last, if you tell us a little about yourself and what you're looking to do in San Diego we can try to make your stay more enjoyable with conversation and recommendations. A little about us: After spending a few years traveling around the world (mostly in a 20ft converted sprinter campervan) and working remotely, we chose San Diego to settle down and start a family. Our house is a fixer-upper with about an acre of land. We recently added a garden, citrus trees, grill, patio, and plan to add more amenities for campers. We love our home and the land around it, and we hope you do too! We are open to both short-term and long-term stays. We thank you for sharing our space that we call the Crest Co-op, and we thank you for contributing to our never-ending-projects-fund.

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Apple Blossom Farms

2 sites · RVs20 acres · Bonsall, CA

Our farm is quiet and private but still central to all the fun of Southern California. We are 15-20 minutes to the beach (13 miles) Disneyland: 68 miles San Diego Zoo Safari park: 29 miles Legoland: 18 miles Sea World: 47 miles We are fun, friendly farmers who are looking for friends who can support us in our journey to revitalize the trees on this amazing property. Apple Blossom Farms recently got our certification as CCOF Organic but it has been organically growing with different owners for 20+ years. If you like the movie, Biggest Little Farm, you will love what we are doing with restoring this regenerative farm to its former glory before fires and aging owners. If you like the movie, Biggest Little Farm, you will love what we are doing with restoring this regenerative farm to its former glory before fires and aging owners. We wanted a place for our sons to learn how food was grown, hard work, and to appreciate nature. It felt like a miracle when our offer was accepted to buy it. We are learning so much and have more to learn but we can see how God has led us here and is sending lots of amazing people to help us overcome the obstacles and succeed! Thanks for being a part of our dream.

The best camping near Point Loma Tide Pools guide

Overview

About

The Point Loma Tide Pools found at the Cabrillo National Monument are found at the tip of the Point Loma peninsula that guards the San Diego Bay. Whether you are looking for an educational experience or simply want to crawl around with the wildlife hiding in the nooks and crannies of these extensive tide pools, there is something for everyone at this scenic point. It is best to visit in the Spring or Fall seasons as this is when low-tides and the parks operating hours overlap giving you the best experience possible.

When to go

The prime time to visit the Point Loma Tide Pools is during late fall and winter, when low tides reveal the pools' hidden wonders during daylight hours. Summer visitors may find the tidepools submerged, as low tides occur at night. Plan your visit around the tide schedules for an optimal experience.

Know before you go

Cell phone service is unavailable at the tidepools, so plan your transportation accordingly.
Access to the tidepools may be temporarily closed when capacity is reached to ensure social distancing.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes for safety on slippery rocks.
Keep children close to prevent accidents in this natural environment.
Groups of 10 or more require a tidepool permit during low tides of 0.7' and lower.