Southern California · California

Doheny State Beach

Doheny State Beach is a California state beach campground at Dana Point in southern Orange County, putting you on the sand at the mouth of San Juan Creek within walking distance of the harbor. In a region where hookups on the coast are scarce, our Southern California guide calls Doheny one of the more hookup-friendly beach campgrounds. It suits families and coastal RVers who want sand-side camping in Orange County and are willing to work the reservation system for it.

Doheny State Beach at a glance

Hookups Hookup sites available (verify per site)
Sites ~120
Max RV length ~35 ft (site dependent)
Cost ~$35–70/night (site dependent)
Reservations ReserveCalifornia, up to 6 months out
Best for Sand-side camping near Dana Point harbor

Why RVers stay here

Doheny State Beach is a California state beach campground at Dana Point in southern Orange County, putting you on the sand at the mouth of San Juan Creek within walking distance of the harbor. In a region where hookups on the coast are scarce, our Southern California guide calls Doheny one of the more hookup-friendly beach campgrounds. It suits families and coastal RVers who want sand-side camping in Orange County and are willing to work the reservation system for it.

Practically, there are around 120 sites, with hookup sites available but counts varying by loop, so verify the exact site when booking. Rig fit is around 35 feet and site dependent, and rates run roughly $35 to $70 a night depending on the site. Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia on a rolling six-month window; cancellations surface daily around 8:00 AM, so set an alert and check that slot if your dates are gone. September and October are the coastal sweet spot when the marine layer lifts and crowds thin. The trade-off is booking difficulty, and the fact that hookup availability is not guaranteed for every site.

  • Sand-side camping at Dana Point, walkable to the harbor
  • One of the more hookup-friendly beach campgrounds on the Southern California coast
  • Handy launch point for the North County San Diego state beaches down I-5
  • State-beach pricing of roughly $35 to $70 rather than private-resort rates
  • !Hookup counts vary by loop and not every site has them; confirm when booking
  • !Rig fit is around 35 feet and site dependent
  • !Coastal state-beach sites book up to six months out and go fast

What our guides say about Doheny State Beach

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Regional guide

Southern California RV Parks: 20 Best Campgrounds by Region

At Dana Point in southern Orange County, Doheny puts you right on the sand at the mouth of San Juan Creek, walkable to the harbor. It is one of the more hookup-friendly beach campgrounds, though availability and exact hookup counts vary by loop — confirm when booking.

Field tip: ReserveCalifornia releases new dates on a rolling six-month window, and cancellations surface daily around 8:00 AM. If the date you want is gone, set an alert and check that morning slot — coastal sites turn over constantly as plans change.

Orange County also works as a launch point for the North County San Diego state beaches to the south; South Carlsbad is a short drive down I-5 from Dana Point.

Read the guide →

Our verdict

Book Doheny if you want beach camping in Orange County with a shot at hookups and can plan six months out. Skip it if you have a rig over 35 feet or need guaranteed full hookups.

Doheny State Beach: frequently asked questions

Does Doheny State Beach have full hookups?

Hookup sites are available, but availability and exact counts vary by loop. Verify the specific site on ReserveCalifornia before booking.

How much does Doheny State Beach cost per night?

Roughly $35 to $70 per night depending on the site. Check the current rate on ReserveCalifornia.

What is the max RV length at Doheny State Beach?

About 35 feet, and it is site dependent. Confirm the listed maximum for your exact site.

Do you need reservations at Doheny State Beach?

Yes. Book through ReserveCalifornia, which releases dates on a rolling six-month window; cancellations tend to appear daily around 8:00 AM.

When is the best time to camp at Doheny State Beach?

The coast is comfortable year-round but busiest in summer. September and October are the sweet spot, when the marine layer lifts and crowds thin.

More campgrounds around Southern California

Compare alternatives before you book — or browse the whole California hub.