California Dreams: Huntington Beach RV Campground

RV Life

***Photo courtesy RV LIFE Campgrounds.***

If you’re traveling in an RV along the West Coast, you’ve got plenty of options for RV camping. California in particular has a huge collection of RV parks and resorts. If you want to camp right next to the beach though, consider visiting Huntington Beach RV Campground. This park puts you right next to the ocean so you can soak in some sand and sun.

Although Huntington Beach RV Park (formerly Sunset Vista RV Park) is a bit small for an RV park, you can’t beat the location. In addition to the beach access, you’re right in Huntington Beach, which is full of fun things to do. Keep this park in mind if you know you’ll travel through California. It’s the perfect destination for beach lovers.

Overview

Huntington Beach RV Campground is located right next to the beach. You can step out of your RV, walk down a few stairs, and put your toes in the sand. Because beachfront property and parking is so limited, the park is fairly small.

If you want to stay in one of the 50 sites here, be sure to book a reservation in advance! These spaces will fill up quickly because everybody wants to be close to the beach.

Unlike many California RV parks, HBRV is not open all year long. The summer is such a busy season for everyone, so this park shuts down during the peak summer months. You can book a reservation for a stay any time between September 3 and May 31. This timetable is perfect for snowbirds who are looking to escape colder climates, but it can be troublesome for families that are taking a summer vacation.

The RV sites are pretty close together (by necessity) but there is enough room for all 46 visitors to park comfortably. Please remember that if you stay in sites 1–17, your RV cannot be longer than 30 feet due to the park layout. Once again, beachfront space is pretty limited! All the sites are pretty much the same aside from the length limit and there aren’t any upgraded plots available. They all have a view of the beach and paved parking pads.

Every RV site has access to water and electricity hookups, but sewage is not provided. Dump stations are located on-site though, so everyone can empty their black and grey tanks as often as needed. The standard nightly fee for an RV site is $75–$100 per night, depending on the time of the week and/or holidays.

HBRV is a bit bare-bones compared to high-scale RV resorts, but the location is the main thing that sets it apart. You can’t beat the beachfront access or the close proximity to Huntington Beach and all its attractions. There are some amenities that are worth mentioning though!

Amenities

Because of the limited space, there aren’t a ton of extra buildings or amenities included in HBRV. The beach is the main source of attraction and guests can enjoy all the fun of swimming, sun tanning, fishing, beachcombing, and beach volleyball. There are also nearby rental places for surfboards, kayaks, paddleboards, etc. Enjoying the beach has never been easier!

Couple toasting wine glasses at HBRV Campground.

There are a few lifestyle amenities that make the park more comfortable though. Public restrooms and showers are included in the layout, so every guest can make use of them. RV bathrooms tend to get a bit cramped sometimes (especially if you’ve been on the road for a while). It can be nice to shower and get ready for the day in a larger space.

As mentioned above, dump stations are also part of this park. This is convenient for everyone and it also mitigates the problems that the lack of a sewage hookup would cause. Other benefits are also included during your stay. For instance, Kokomo’s Surfside Grill is located right next to the park. This is a great place to grab a drink or a meal without driving anywhere.

For your safety and peace of mind, the lifeguard headquarters is also right next to the park. If there’s an emergency, you can get help almost instantly. A long boardwalk separates the park from the beach, so you can enjoy strolling down this stretch as well. The park amenities may be simple, but they get the job done and let you enjoy the beauty and fun of the beach.

Nearby Activities/Attractions

Huntington Beach is a popular destination that has attracted many tourists and full-time residents. Of course, you could spend all your time at the beach itself if you wanted. There’s plenty to do and lots of people never get tired of the sand, waves, and sun. But if you want to explore the surrounding area a bit more, there are tons of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

For starters, there are all kinds of tours and guided experiences. You can book a bus trip to go sightseeing in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Surfing lessons from professionals are also available, so you can learn how to ride a wave. You can also take whale-watching cruises that will showcase some of this area’s stunning wildlife. And if you really want to hit the pavement and explore, you can sign up for the “Hunting on Huntington” scavenger hunt!

There are also lots of great places to wander around and see what stands out to you. The Huntington Beach Pier lets you walk over the ocean and watch surfers at work! Downtown Huntington Beach is packed with shops, restaurants, and fun little attractions that are sure to pique anyone’s interest. Art galleries, museums, and ecological preserves are all around you, so you can always find something new to explore.

Good food is always on the menu in Huntington Beach, so be sure to try the local cuisine. Some of the best restaurants in the area include:

There are countless options for eating out here. Whether you’re looking for fine dining or a delicious fast food meal, there’s something for everyone. The seafood is particularly delicious because it’s freshly caught.

Reviews

Reviews are always important when you’re looking for a park to stay at. HBRV has earned a 8.4/10 rating on RV LIFE Campgrounds. Although this isn’t the highest rating in the state, it’s still a solid park that is largely liked by visitors.

Some guests compliments this park for its superb location. Others enjoyed that the park was clean, safe, and well-maintained. The views can’t be beaten and visitors enjoyed the easy access to the beach and nearby attractions.

On the downside, this park is quite plain. One guest described it as a parking lot with basic hookups. The lack of a sewage hookup was discouraging to some as well. It could also get a bit noisy sometimes because it is close to many businesses and roads.

Overall, this is a fairly basic park that is located in a fantastic spot. If your main priorities are to be close to the ocean and have fun things to do, stay here! You won’t find an RV park that’s closer to the water anywhere.

To read more reviews from park visitors, visit RV LIFE Campgrounds.