CP Campground Review – Rincon Parkway, Ventura, CA
A no-frills County Park with gorgeous ocean views just north of Ventura in Central CA Coast area. Best for smaller rigs, but some sites OK for larger rigs.
NEW! We’ve added a VIDEO overview (our very first campground video) at the bottom of the post. Check it out!
Link to campground here: Rincon Parkway, CA
Link to map location here: Rincon Parkway, CA
- Site Quality = 2/5
Note/ When driving to Rincon Parkway, enter from the NORTH (exit 78 on Hwy 101, Skyline) so that you can park with your RV door facing the ocean side. The south entrance faces you the wrong way.
This park used to be entirely first-come-first-serve, but is now on a reservation system (see this link) and although the views are amazing, the sites themselves are very, very basic. The entire Parkway is basically just one long ~1.5 mile stretch of asphalt parking spaces along an ocean sea wall. On the west side you have the sea wall + ocean and on the east side you are directly next to Hwy 1 and the coastal railroad tracks. Sites are parking pads separated by painted white lines, all exactly 45-feet long and the rangers are *very* strict about parking everything you own within those white lines (no overhang allowed anywhere, not even into the bike lane). There are no hookups, no privacy or separation, no dedicated “sitting areas”, no fire pits and you are nose-to-tail with your neighbors. The only real differences between sites are site widths:- North End Sites: Towards the beginning of the Parkway (northernmost end, sites #5-#17) the sites are located by a high concrete sea-wall and are “double-wide” (~40+ foot wide) meaning you can easily fit a larger rig plus tow next to it. If you are 40-foot or larger I suggest stopping here at the very first open site you see. You can always unhook and scout further down from here if you wish, but this is absolutely the best/easiest area for larger rigs.
- Middle Sites: Towards the middle of the Parkway (sites #18 to #112 or so) the sites are single-wide (~20 feet wide only) and are mostly bounded by a large(r) rocky sea-wall towards the ocean side. This is a fine area for smaller rigs, but it’s very difficult for larger rigs since it’s impossible to fit your rig plus tow side-by-side and still be able to open your RV door (we tried and failed). Not much space to “sit” outside your rig here either and some ocean views are partially blocked by the sea wall.
- South End Sites: Towards the very southern end of the Parkway (sites #112-127) the sea wall is lower and there are small “sitting area” slices of sand between the edge of the parking site and the sea wall. This opens up views a bit, and also means it’s *possible* to fit a bigger rig by placing your rig wheel on the very edge of the asphalt (door opens to slice of sand) with your tow directly next to it. We fit into #119 this way. I personally think these are the nicest sites in the Parkway.
More Big Rig Site Tips: In the middle sites it’s possible for big rigs to get “boxed in” if people park both in front of and behind you. Sites next to trash bins have cleared (no parking allowed) space around them which makes it easier to get your rig in/out. So, if you can’t nab one of the big sites near the north end and/or can’t fit in the sites near the south end, consider taking a site next to a trash can.
- Facilities = 1/5
Nothing much in terms of facilities here. There is on-site trash and 2 porta-porties along the length of the Parkway, but nothing else. - Location = 4/5
This is an amazing ocean location, except for a few key “gotchas”. You are RIGHT by the ocean with FULL ocean views and the sound of waves crashing right at your RV doorstep. This is really the #1 draw of being here! However you are also right by Hwy 1 and the railroad tracks. So, you get regular car and train traffic on the east side of your rig. The sound of the ocean is very *loud* (very!) so it mostly drowns out any traffic noise. Also trains don’t honk their horns as they travel through here, so while you’re in your rig you don’t notice them too much. But the area is busy and tight and definitely not quiet. On the positive side you are also right by the Hwy1 biking trail and only ~10 mins drive from Ventura which has all the shopping/eating/brews you could want. Plus yeah, the views are amazing (I mentioned that, right?!). - Pet Friendliness = 5/5
Great area for pooch. Not much space to hang out in camp (very little “sitting area”), but there are free poo bags provided and the beach at the bottom is the sea wall is 100% dog-friendly which is a huge bonus, especially in California. Note that the beach is only accessible at low tide and if you don’t want to scramble over the sea wall (which is very rocky and hard to do w/ doggie) you need to walk to one of the County Parks located at either the very north or south end of the Parkway (Hobson or Faria) that have stairs leading to the sand.
Overall Rating = 3
BONUS ALERT = Camp with full view (and sound!) of ocean waves crashing just next to your RV!
Summary: You come to Rincon Parkway for one reason only -> to park your RV RIGHT by the Pacific Ocean. There is nowhere else that I know of (anywhere) where you can get this close to the ocean without actually driving your rig onto sand, and it really is quite special. You are camped along a high sea-wall and you have completely open ocean views along the entire west side of your rig. Wow! Outside of the views however, the camping is very primitive. Sites are nothing more than asphalt parking spaces along the length of the sea wall. The parking spots are separated by painted white lines and there is nothing “extra” -> no privacy, no hookups, no “sitting area” and your’re parked nose-to-tail with your neighbors. Also sites are exactly 45-foot long and you have to park everything you own within the white lines (there is no overflow parking for tows and you are not allowed any overhang of slides or wheels outside the lines. Rangers are strict on this) so if you have anything larger than ~38-foot and/or you are towing, site choices are limited. A few of the northernmost sites (~#5-#17) are “double-wide” and have more space, but the rest of the sites are narrower and you risk getting “boxed in” if larger rigs park in front of and behind you. We tried 3 different spots before we found one we were able to fit (#119) and even then it was a squeeze. Plus, if the RV behind us hadn’t left on our departure day, we’d still be stuck there! Lastly the area is very busy. The parking spots are located right alongside Hwy 1 and the coastal railroad tracks, so you have pretty constant traffic on the east side of your rig. The bonus is that the ocean is LOUD, so much so that you barely notice anything while you’re inside your rig (seriously, if you don’t like the sound of the ocean, you won’t like it here!). The other bonus is that the beach below the sea wall, although only accessible at low tide, is 100% dog-friendly. Plus you are right next to the Hwy 1 biking trail and only 10 mins drive from Ventura which is a super-cute town with all the shopping/eating/brews you could want. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay here, especially the ocean views (amazing!), biking the coastal trail and walking doggie on the beach at low tide, but after 4 days here we were ready to go and find somewhere with more space & peace. A unique stop that’s worth a few days. We’ll definitely be back!
Note/ Your RV will get lots of ocean spray here (guaranteed) so plan for a good wash to get that salt off once you leave.
Extra Info: Excellent cell signal (5 bars ATT LTE, 5 bars Verizon LTE). 127 sites, reservation online. Sites cost $32/night weekday, $35/night week-end (dogs are extra $1/night). 5 day stay limit in high season (April through October 31), 14 day stay limit in low season (November 1 – March 31). On site garbage, but NO hookups, dump or water.
Video Overview: Want to see & hear it on film? Check out our ~6 minute video overview here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XscW9mo1PwA
WOW! Your reviews, all your posts, actually, are great. But the video added a whole other dimension bringing your text and pictures to life. Loved it!
It may have been me, but the video didn’t play on my iPad within the post. It did play when I clicked on the YouTube link.
I had the same problem on my iPad. Don’t know why, but I think it has something to do with the way WordPress embeds video? Anyway I’m glad the direct link worked and you liked the format.
Nina
Great video. Thanks!
Living close to this location, I feel compelled to add the warning to remember that you are camping on a highway within a few feet of automobile traffic and within a few inches of cyclists traveling at high speed. (It’s actually the original Pacific Coast Highway that you’re camping on).
Without exception, every time I ride my bike past there or drive by looking for waves, there will be a motorhome camper who seems to have forgotten where they are in the universe, either stepping right out into heavy traffic to get their anxious dog to the other side of the road (and often neglecting to clean up because it’s not actually in the campsite), unintentionally blocking the bike path with beach chairs or a guest’s car (which is serious business when you have groups of cyclists going 20-30 mph and you’re forcing them into the traffic lane where cars are going 50-60 mph), or letting toddlers roam within a few feet of the road.
This is a great place to camp and the camaraderie is the greatest. But, please approach from the north (even if it means going a mile or two out of your way), have someone direct traffic while you’re parking, and set up barriers to keep your kids and dogs from running out into the bike path. (Yes, I’ve seen some accidents.) Spend your time on the seaward side of your rig, and you’ll love the place. The feeling is about as close to being on a cruise ship as you can get in your motorhome.
We camp frequently at Faria, to the south, even though it’s only about seven miles from home. People think we’re crazy but I love a trip that ends with a ten minute drive home, and the beach camping is as good as it gets. If you’re camping along the Rincon, be sure and have a breakfast or lunch at the Faria Beach Cafe (calling it a snackbar doesn’t do justice to their great food).
Incidentally, when the county campsites are full, there is still often room at Emma Wood State Beach, and they take reservations. You’ll be camping on an abandoned dead end of old PCH (a little dustier and/or muddier) so no concerns about traffic, but the same great view. Keep your eyes open for migrating whales; they often come within a stone’s throw of the shoreline.
All good tips. The highway traffic is definitely something you have to be aware of when you camp here. When you’re inside your rig listening to the crash of the ocean you can almost forget that you’re right on a main road, and there really isn’t any separation between you and the cars/bikes when you go outside.
Faria is a nice little park too. We only saw maybe 3 sites that could comfortably fit us there, but it’s a lovely little place. Plus they do good burgers at the food stand there. We walked to that park every day with doggie to access the beach at low tide.
And yes, the tip on Emma Wood SB is a good one too. It’s an odd place (really run down spots), but there’s plenty of space there, even for bigger rigs. We biked over from Rincon to check it out.
Nina
Looking for someone that is leaving one of the camp ground close to rincon that will save us a spot for July 25 2016
Any help is greatly appreciated
Your video reviews add a new dimension to your campground reviews. Thank you very much.
Excellent. I’m glad they’re helpful. We’re going to try to do more, for sure.
Nina
Camped for many years along there, all the way up to Buellton. Thanks for posting the vid, brings back all those great memories.
Happy Trails
Ck. out this beach..
http://cosb.countyofsb.org/parks/parks06.aspx?id=9186
Looks amazing! We are already further north, but I’m adding this to my list of spots to try in the future. I couldn’t find size limits though. Is it do-able in a 40-footer?
Nina
Jalama is another one of our favorites. You get there by going north along the coast past the Gaviota Pier, going inland for just a few miles, and then returning to the coast along a narrow and windy fifteen mile long road that can take a half an hour (or more) to drive.
Plenty of spaces for larger motorhomes and there are lots of full-sized rigs there, but the road does freak out a lot of drivers and some even turn around, thinking they’re never going to get there. The location is great, surrounded by private land. No cell service (when was the last time you had to use a pay phone to make a call?), the nights are dark, and the beach is beautiful and great for dogs. But, they aren’t first-come-first-served anymore and reservations can be hard to get.
We used to go to Jalama only at the last minute so that we could be assured of good weather but the new reservations system put the kibosh on that method, so now we go there prepared for strong ocean storm winds and cool weather or for those rare bluebird days when the wind is down and the sun is out. No matter what the weather, Jalama is worth the trouble, particularly if you travel with dogs.
Excellent info and tips! Thanks so much for sharing all that!
Nina
If you guys were still parked along the Rincon, I would have brought the dogs up for a walk. It got gloomy today in Ventura. Hope you’re having fun in Pismo. Lots of good dog walking to be done up there too!
It was gloomy here in Pismo today too. May Grey has come early! But it opened up this afternoon and we got some sweet PM light. Looks like more fog in the forecast, but I don’t mind too much being an ex-San Franciscan. We are most definitely enjoying the dog friendliness up here!
Nina
Nina great review as always. A quick note. you can get a similar (views) experience at Gamble Rogers SP in Flagler Beach FL if you stay in the ocean side spots. They book VERY fast but you can sometimes snag one if there was a cancellation or if you check often. The other ring is on the waterway side but ocean sites are spectacular RIGHT on the ocean. A bit cheek by jowl but with electric and water.
Funny thing. I was just looking at Gamblers last night because one of our RV buddies is currently stating there. It’s on the “list” for when we go East. It looks amazing!
Nina
You are presenting WONDERFUL information in a informative and interesting format. The video really added to the good writing and photos that was a plus. We’re not on the road YET but I’ve created a folder just for your stuff since it is going to be SOOOO helpful! Great job and thank you again for taking the time to put this together. Very good writing too!
Excellent! Cheers for the lovely comments.
Nina
I don’t think that’s a “cowboy” spot even if the ocean is right out your door! :)))
No, I would have to agree. Despite the gorgeous views I don’t think this is peaceful enough for the cowboy. It’s pretty busy here and you do end up very close to your neighbor.
Nina
Is it (or could it be) a situation where one would have to attempt to “parallel park” their rig?
Yup, this is definitely a place where you gotta parallel park. All the rigs are parked end to end here.
Nina
Oh My great review the video rocked… We have driven by many time on our way from Pismo heading to -Q- in January and wanted to stop but never see a exit (we are traveling south) I know you said exit 78 coming north.
Nina and Paul you both do a wonderful service to those of us who follow you……… Thanks so much
Safe Travels Lee and Shelia
Oops Lee, look at the map and you’ll see exit 78 going south.. Reason we miss it is because we are mesmerized by the location. Next time I’ll know.
Thanks again Lee
Yup that’s the one. It’s exit 78 both ways.
Nina
Excellent job on the video! Especially the audio. So many times the voice is overshadowed by the wind, ocean, cars, trains, etc. Kudos! Do more. Debbie has already put Rincon on the list to go to because of you. We are 35 feet long with an F250 long bed truck. Hope we get a long space:)
Chuck & Debbie
You should be able to squeeze in with a little creativity. The double wide sites will fit you no problem. The single wide *might* fit if you can park the truck in front of your rig (cross ways). Many trailers/trucks were parked that way when we were there.
Nina
We spent eight days at Rincon after leaving Rockhouse Road in Borrego Springs. What a contrast! http://thechouters.blogspot.com/2016/02/behind-scenes-of-perfection.html
What did you do to get the salt off your rig? Our solar all but stopped working until we started wiping down the panels every day. We looked for a place to wash the rig, but ended up just using a brush and a bucket of water while we were at the Elks in Santa Maria. Then the rains came . . . ahhhhhh.
We had some hard rain on our drive from Rincon to Solvang which took most of it off, but we’re planning another proper wash at our next stop. No truck washes around here, but we did see a manual car wash with RV size bays near Pismo. Also if you stay at the private park in Pismo there’s a guy that’ll wash your rig there for $100.
Nina
Thanks you two. Looks like a fun spot. We love Hwy 1, CA
Hi kids…Question….how in world did you keep your camera soooo smooth and steady? From what I saw in your youtube review might make me think you guys don’t visit as many breweries as you say you do.. Very good reveiw. Cheers
HA! We actually we did the whole thing on Paul’s iPhone 6. We tried my camera and it was too much trouble. The iPhone had better video/audio and does a better job of stabilization. So, we just did the whole thing handheld on that.
Nina
We’ve stayed there for years. Since it’s no reservations, we’ve been out of luck on occaison. What are the alternatives if the Parkway is full? Along with Emma Woods. Hate to arrive and find no spaces available. And Ventura Beach RV Resort closer to town is ridiculously overpriced for the crowded spaces.
Well Emma Wood State Beach seems the best best. It’s rarely full and has large sites that can accommodate rigs up to 45-feet in size. It’s only a few miles down from Rincon. The two County Parks right next to Rincon (Faria & Hobson) also have camping, but very few sites can fit big rigs (we only saw maybe 3 sites in each park that could fit us). Otherwise there is also an Elks in town (if you’re members).
Nina
Nice and informative blog…..the video is a cool addition to your review and really gives one a chance to experience it like you do…..
Excellent post. Would our 50 foot rig fit (30 foot trailer, plus 20 feet of hitch and pickup truck) or would we have to unhitch and park side by side?
You’d definitely have to unhitch. You can’t have ANY overhang over the painted white lines and the pads are exactly 45-feet long.
Nina
Camping at the Rincon is our favorite place in the area to get our ocean fix. Watching dolphins and whales tops it right off! Love the dog friendly beach. Good review on the campground! A water truck and a septic truck come by daily driving slowly along the sites, you just wave them down if you need their services. Don’t know the cost. Darn, we are in Thousand Oaks visiting Tim’s mom, wish we would have known you were so close, we would have come to visit with some doggie play time on the beach! We are starting our journey back home to Alaska today, maybe we will see you yet in CA! Safe and happy travels!
TOTALLY forgot to mention that water/septic truck! We saw it come by everyday and I was going to include it in the review, but I totally blanked on it. Thanks so much for mentioning that! I will update the review to add it in.
Sorry we missed you too. We’re enjoying the coastal fog further north right now 🙂
Nina
I’ll skip California and double my time on the Oregon coast 🙂
Hi, Nina and Paul,
Great review, as always! Just one question for those of us solo Rvers. If I have to approach the CG with my Tracker hitched (no second driver, obviously) where should I park to unhitch? Just stay hitched until I see a site and then block traffic while I quickly unhitch, or is there a better option? Thanks!
You could stop in one of the “double-wide” spots near the beginning of the parkway and just unhitch there. Should be plenty of space to swing in here as long as there is a site empty.
Another option is to drive south completely past the entire length of the parkway to the day-use parking around a 1/2 mile south, park there and unhitch. It’s a long, wide parking area that’ll easily accommodate any-sized rig (it’s where we hitched up after we left). That’ll also allow you to see the whole parkway and get an idea of spots before driving back and settling on a place. Also if there happen to be multiple empty spots along the way, that’ll give you a chance to just swing in (hitched up) and then re-organize and squeeze everything into a single site from there.
You *can* also temporarily block traffic while you get sorted into a site, although it might be a bit hair-raising. Lots of cars and bikes whizzing by. It may not be fun, but it’s do-able.
Nina
Its amazing. Looks like I am into another dimension with those parkways. Those campground are a good catch.
Great post… I’m curious if its ok for campervans (Ford E150) to park here as well? I see the photo you took of one but just wanted to be sure. Heading out there later this Saturday. Any chance I’ll get a spot or should I look for a different campsite? Thanks
I believe you should be fine. As long as you are a “self-contained” vehicle you can park here. They don’t allow tenters is all.
Nina
Sounds great Thanks!!
You can definitely camp with your van at Hobsons or Faria. The rules say “All RV’s must be fully self-contained units” but I’ve heard that things like a removable toilet, gray water tank on the ground, no inside shower, etc. might disqualify a camper.
I believe enforcement at Emma Wood (a State Park) is stricter than at the county campgrounds. I think I remember someone saying that pick-up truckbed campers weren’t permitted, even if they were entirely self-contained.
Suzanne, if you don’t see an open spot on your first pass, you might want to park (making sure it’s legal to park a motorhome there), detach your car and scout out your best spot. The county facilities are first-come, so keep your eyes open for people packing up and don’t be afraid to ask around.
It’s all in the luck of the draw. Sometimes there are plenty of spaces and other times it looks hopeless. And it’s not always predictable, sometimes the competition is tough on a Wednesday morning and other times there will be spaces open for the entire day on a weekend.
Good point on the tanks Koert. “Self-contained” definitely means you have to keep everything inside the camper, including grey water. If your camper doesn’t have a grey water tank you wouldn’t be able to stay here. Cheers for bringing that up.
Nina
Hi, Nina, I just want to add one other note of caution. According to what I understand, there is a rule stating that “7 days must elapse before re-entry into a county park” which applies to ALL of Ventura County, (inland parks as well) not just the beach parks. The Camp Host at Tapo Canyon told me they could officially deny my stay at Rincon Pkway if they chose to enforce the rule. Thankfully, they didn’t. I believe the “out of state” plates help, but just so your readers are aware…and thanks as always for such a great review!
VERY good catch Suzanne. For some reason I completely missed that rule. Cheers for adding it into the comments.
Nina
Great review! I spent most of my childhood camping here and all the small campgrounds up and down the Ventura coast. Probably ~1978 thru 1986. I’d fish from the seawall at high-tide, boogie-board at low-tide, play on the RR-tracks – and (surprisingly) never got swacked by a car! Your video brought back some fond memories. Looking back, I’m amazed how my dad was able to back the huge 5th wheel and truck into those tight spots. Faria & Hobson was even crazier!
RV’ing is in my blood. I look forward to getting back down there in the coming years. Thanks for the great review (and great blog!).
-Dean
Thanks SO much for the great information on one of our favorite places to camp! We were very fortunate to get Space 127, and had room for our Honda tow car. The pump-out service is provided by JW Enterprises on Tue., Thur., and Sat. The cost is $20 for 50 Gal of fresh water, and $40.00 for a pump-out (yes, two separate trucks). They appreciate a call ahead of time at (805) 658-2449, but are willing to be “flagged down”. Very clean, and professional. It’s valuable to remember that if you leave your space to dump (or any other reason), you lose your right to that space (even if you paid for it). In other words, if it’s vacant…it can be taken. Because of this, we used the honey wagon service, rather than dumping at one of the local parks, during our 10 night stay.
Wonderful info. Thanks for adding it.
Nina
Rincon now takes reservations:
https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2018/09/25/rincon-rules-get-final-ok-heres-how-sign-up/1404023002/
http://www.venturaparks.org/reservation/camping/index.asp#CONTENT
Wow! That will change things there. Thank you for that piece of info.
Nina
As of 2019 most of the information offered here is incorrect (Great video tho)
Reservation ONLY
5 days April 1 to October 31
14 days Nov 1 to Mar 31
(Many more updated rules can be found at : venturaparks.org
Thank you for the updates!! I will go in and change some of the text to reflect.
Nina