The best camping near Cabrillo National Monument

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cabrillo National Monument adventure.

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Community favorites near Cabrillo National Monument

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Cabrillo National Monument

96%
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San Diego Mountain Lodge

48 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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$29
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95%
(284)

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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$45
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98%
(51)

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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$45
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95%
(108)

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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$79.20
 / night
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Whiteside Mountain

1 site · Tent160 acres · Jamul, CA
160 acres of wild and private land at the top of a mountain. Bouldering, exploring, outdoor cold water shower, well drinking water, and pergola! 45 minutes from downtown San Diego and beaches but a whole different world!A single camp spot on the top of a mountain surrounded by 160 acres of no one else! Requires 4WD/high clearance AWD road to camp spot. Plenty of shade at spot with picnic area that is covered. Drinking water, sink and outdoor cold water shower. Bouldering (climbing), fire pit (seasonal), covered deck, hiking and VIEWS! Plenty of room and separate camp spots- lock the gate and you will have no visitors or onlookers. Single outdoor flush toilet with sink.  We provide a Propane stove - 2 burner, propane, toilet paper, dish soap and hand soap.  No COTS.Guests love it here "This was finally checked off of my saved list—my partner and I rented a 4x4 to get up there since our 2WD car wouldn't have made it in one piece. It was only a short drive from downtown San Diego and was super easy to navigate. Once we arrived the experience was TRULY MAGICAL. We had such an awesome experience exploring the property, birdwatching, hiking and some light climbing. Don't forget to check out the cave! The facilities were beyond expectations and we had a seamless experience. Steve was super accommodating and was great at communicating—he even gave us a small tour of the property! The sunsets and sunrises here were something out of a dream, we wish we could wake up every morning here. We will definitely be coming back soon!"
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$97.75
 / night
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GoodVibes Ranch Disc Golf & Camping

103 sites · RVs, Tents74 acres · Jamul, CA
Stay. Play. Unwind. 🌿🏕️ GoodVibes Ranch & Farm is your ultimate mountain escape, blending an 18-hole disc golf course, camping, community, and events just 30 minutes from San Diego. Check-in With Host Upon Arrival! 🏞️ 74 scenic acres provide space to relax, connect, and explore. Choose from: 🏕️ Tent camping, glamping units, or eco-friendly trailers 🚐 🎱 Amenities: Clubhouse Stargazing deck, picnic areas, fire pits, bathrooms, showers & a commercial kitchen 🔥 🥏 Activities: 18-hole disc golf course, hiking trails, billiards, and live music events 🎶 💫 Sustainability matters here—recycle, compost, and enjoy the land responsibly. Whether you're gathering with friends, family, or flying solo, this is where nature meets community. Come stay, play, and experience the GoodVibes! Your stay supports our mission! As a 509(a) nonprofit, all proceeds fund GoodVibesWorldWideNetwork & Sage Sanctuaries, dedicated to holistic wellness, sustainable living education, and community empowerment.
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$35
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99%
(130)

Glamping in San Diego’s Backcountry

6 sites · Lodging1 acre · Mount Laguna, CA
Alter Experiences LLC is a glamping & nature travel company based out of San Diego, CA. We're dedicated to creating meaningful experiences in nature & getting people outdoors. Our glamping sites are located in the Cleveland National Forest - Mount Laguna, CA. Our plush tents are nestled in the high mountain forests of San Diego's backcountry - sky islands where pristine nature & wild-life thrives. These are some of the most remote & biologically diverse habitats in all of Southern California. Our sites are handpicked to offer you a truly nature immersive experience. We strive to create the most comfortable outdoor experiences, even at our most remote locations. We take all that's fun about traditional camping & combine it with modern comfort & state of the art equipment. We offer various accommodation styles depending on location. Our Tentsile tree tents are definitely the most popular - a lightweight tree house that uses 3 anchor points to create a "living space" suspended between trees. Our elevated tree tents bring a whole new dimension to camping. Our plush & cozy bell tent was designed with the ultimate comfort in mind! It feature all the amenities you can expect at a hotel - therapeutic mattress, buddy heater, quality linens and more. The provided kitchen comes fully outfitted with everything you need including; hot chocolate, tea, spices and multiple cooking tops. All you need to bring is your cooler and food! Open fires are allowed (weather permitting) and bundles of wood are sold at $8. There are a network of trails to explore nearby, as well as Lake Cuyamaca and the historic town of Julian. You can choose from various restaurants, breweries wineries and we also have two hard cider locations, as well as various other attractions and activities. We also offer mountain bike rentals right from the campsite. Glamp with us and discover all the beautiful and natural wonders of our San Diego Backcountry.
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$112.50
 / night

The best camping near Cabrillo National Monument guide

Overview

About

View the vast Pacific Ocean just as explorer Juan Cabrillo saw it. This monument commemorates his arrival to the west coast in 1542. Expansive views of all of San Diego make this spot a worthy photo op. On a clear, sunny day, you can see all the way to Mexico. Watch for Navy vessels and cruise ships coming and going.

Costumed tour guides will help explain the significance of this spot and the history of west coast exploration by Europeans. You can also climb the Point Loma Lighthouse and learn about its importance in protecting the area. The monument boasts some excellent tidepools if you visit at low tide, so bring footwear that you can get wet. The hike alongside San Diego Bay is gorgeous and not difficult. On the ocean side, if you're visiting between December and April, keep your eyes open for whales heading south.

You pay per car when you enter (and you can come back for a week on that one entry fee). You have to go a bit inland to find any camping ops in San Diego. Get on Hipcamp to get settled in a glamped-out yurt or a cozy trailer, or pitch your tent at a farm or winery.

Nearby attractions

Escape to Guajome Regional Park for a delightful camping adventure. Set up camp amidst picturesque landscapes, hike scenic trails, and enjoy peaceful moments by the lake. Engage in birdwatching, explore historic sites, and create lasting memories in this serene park.

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