Doheny State Beach
California State Park
Write a Review 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr. Dana Point, CA 92629 949-496-6171 Reservations: 800-444-7275 Official WebsiteGPS: 33.4625, -117.6805
Overview of Doheny State Beach
Last Price Paid: $40
Reported by Deb Spencer on 10/22/2020
Longest RV Reported: 32 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Deb Spencer on 10/22/2020
Number of Sites 122
Pad Type asphalt
Reservations yes
Elevation 0 ft / 0 m
Max Length 35 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Doheny State Beach
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. (949) 496-6171
Reviews of Doheny State Beach 17 people have reviewed this location.
“Campground will be closed Nov 1, 2020 to May 30, 2021 for water and sewer line replacement”
Reviewed 10/22/2020
Nightly rate: | $40 |
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Site Number: | 96 |
RV Length: | 32' (Fifth Wheel) |
We are camp hosts at Doheny State Beach Campground. The campground will be closed from Nov 1, 2020 to May 30, 2021 for water line and sewer line replacement. Doheny will remain a no hookup Campground. The water and sewer line replacement is strictly for the bathrooms and shower houses.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close to the beach ”
Reviewed 7/26/2020
Days stayed: | 2 |
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All sites are feet from the ocean and there are bushes in between spots for privacy. Yes, you are dry camping but still very enjoyable.
Pinskiclan would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close together and near the beach”
Reviewed 2/11/2020
Days stayed: | 2 |
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RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
We enjoyed the two nights we stayed here. Close to the beach and close to all things in the area. Sites are small (we struggled to back into the space) and very close together. Our neighbor's tent was literally about 10 feet or less from our site's picnic table. Showers were clean and had hot water. They took tokens, which is annoying ... more
We enjoyed the two nights we stayed here. Close to the beach and close to all things in the area. Sites are small (we struggled to back into the space) and very close together. Our neighbor's tent was literally about 10 feet or less from our site's picnic table. Showers were clean and had hot water. They took tokens, which is annoying and it was $.50/2 minutes. The visitor center had a super small aquarium and nature center, which our young kids enjoyed and it is technically walking distance to a few restaurants, but we didn't try any of those restaurants. We'd stay again if ever in the area, but there are also probably better options nearby with a bit more space and privacy. Oh and the no dog on the beach thing meant we actually didn't spend a ton of time at this beach. But it was a nice beach.
Family in Wanderland would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beaches, Trains and Automobiles”
Reviewed 2/5/2020
Nightly rate: | $40 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 56 |
RV Length: | 24' (Truck Camper) |
Perhaps we’re more noise sensitive than most, but I’ve been in Cracker Barrell parking lots that had less transportation noise. Cars are constant, trains are frequent and sound like low flying aircraft. The beach access is great. Sunsets were awesome. Sites are close with little privacy. Ours was not clean. Restrooms were minimal and n... more
Perhaps we’re more noise sensitive than most, but I’ve been in Cracker Barrell parking lots that had less transportation noise. Cars are constant, trains are frequent and sound like low flying aircraft. The beach access is great. Sunsets were awesome. Sites are close with little privacy. Ours was not clean. Restrooms were minimal and not the cleanest. Half the campground is closed for maintenance right now (south loop), perhaps that has an impact on other maintenance. Lots of rodents running around but didn’t seem to be troublesome at this time, just a little off putting. Left ground lights under the vehicle/camper at night.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great setting and location ”
Reviewed 11/14/2019
Nightly rate: | $40 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 12 |
Was able to grab a last minute, mid-week reservation (lots of open spots mid-week in November). Sites are basic and close together, but have bushes between for some privacy. Can’t beat the beach access, though! I didn’t get a beachfront spot this time, but #38 looks like the best to me.. as others have noted, the bluff blocks the dire... more
Was able to grab a last minute, mid-week reservation (lots of open spots mid-week in November). Sites are basic and close together, but have bushes between for some privacy. Can’t beat the beach access, though! I didn’t get a beachfront spot this time, but #38 looks like the best to me.. as others have noted, the bluff blocks the direct ocean view from most sites, but 38 looks right out on it. I found bathrooms to be clean and well maintained, facilities overall were great.
Kara_707 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Camping; Very Hard to Reserve”
Reviewed 3/15/2019
Nightly rate: | $40 |
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Days stayed: | 8 |
Site Number: | 34 |
RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
This is one of several beach campgrounds along the southern border of Orange County and stretching down into San Diego County. The sites are close together so you’ll get to know your neighbors. While it’s a beautiful spot with only a short walk to a nice sandy beach and good surfing, it’s extremely difficult to reserve a site, espe... more
This is one of several beach campgrounds along the southern border of Orange County and stretching down into San Diego County. The sites are close together so you’ll get to know your neighbors.
While it’s a beautiful spot with only a short walk to a nice sandy beach and good surfing, it’s extremely difficult to reserve a site, especially between May and September or on virtually any weekend throughout the year. The new reservation system (Reserve California) is woefully inadequate and nearly impossible to get a space. For those willing to put in the effort, the reward is some of the best beachfront camping in SoCal.
Hunnicutt would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful ”
Reviewed 6/17/2018
Days stayed: | 2 |
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So much fun. Any beach is good for me.
Gorgeous would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Best Beach Camping to Date”
Reviewed 1/24/2018
Nightly rate: | $60 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 41 |
RV Length: | 24' |
I was lucky enough to book a beach front site for the weekend. I've done about 20 days of next to water camping (lake, river, ocean) in the last year alone and this has been our favorite. Previous water sites: Seacliff SB, Yosemite NP right on Merced River, lakeside sites at Millerton SRA, Carpinteria SB. January weather was amazin... more
I was lucky enough to book a beach front site for the weekend. I've done about 20 days of next to water camping (lake, river, ocean) in the last year alone and this has been our favorite. Previous water sites: Seacliff SB, Yosemite NP right on Merced River, lakeside sites at Millerton SRA, Carpinteria SB.
January weather was amazingly warm with 60 degrees and sunny all weekend, so had enough solar input that I didn't need to run the generator.
For our site, we are right on the beach. There's is a little sand bluff so you couldn't see the ocean from the pavement. Large bench is nice. 6-7 ft shrubs gave some privacy. Plenty of kids so our boys had fun with the neighbors all weekend.
We did not use the bathroom facilities since we're dry camping pros and live without a shower for 2 days. There's only one dump station and we had to wait a good 15 min cause the guy in front of us decided he wanted to rinse his black tank.
Pros are the strict enforcement of campground rules including generator use (10-8pm), parking, space (about 8000 sf including the beach area), close to OC including 35 minutes from Disneyland (where we spent the Friday before check-in).
Main Cons are that it's quite a walk to the north beach area for restaurants, some sites are pretty small and mainly for car and tent campers.
Overall, it's 5 stars if you get a beach site, otherwise it's probably 3.5-4 stars.
Sean would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Steps to the beach and good surfing ”
Reviewed 1/9/2018
Nightly rate: | $40 |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | 60 |
We have really enjoyed our stay at Doheny. We stayed in campsites 4, 60, 52 Getting a reservation was challenging but not impossible. I find that people make reservations 6 months out and then end up canceling a few days before their arrival date or a no-show. After our arrival we learned that there is a daily 'lottery' for camp ... more
We have really enjoyed our stay at Doheny.
We stayed in campsites 4, 60, 52
Getting a reservation was challenging but not impossible. I find that people make reservations 6 months out and then end up canceling a few days before their arrival date or a no-show. After our arrival we learned that there is a daily 'lottery' for camp sites that open up. The lottery for open campsites happens at 12 noon at the entrance.
$40 for non-beach sites
$60 for beach sites
No hookups. Free dump station.
Campsites furthest from the beach are less desirable. A good bit of road noise, sirens, train, and occasional loud drunk person on the other side of the fence.
Beach sites are really awesome. Hear the ocean all night and enjoy each morning right on the beach. Downside to beach sites... when it rains they all flood! Experienced this today. Lucky for us we had already moved to site 52 a row over from the beach.
Showers are on a token system. $1 gets you 4 minutes of hot water. The showers and bathrooms are cleaned daily. Flushing toilets. No hand soap?! What's up with that?
Firewood is $7 from the campsite host. Logs had a good weight and came with a couple pieces of kindling wrapped in newspaper. Nice touch ;)
Fire pits are clean and have removable grates.
Picnic tables were cleaner than other campgrounds I have visited recently.
Privacy is acceptable. There are tall shrubs separating your campsite from your neighbors.
Activities: The beach is steps away making it great for young families. The surf is great for beginners. Awesome surfing spot and recreational area just up the beach. SUP is good as well.
Convenience: Ralphs and Trader Joes for groceries right up the road. Good cell service as well.
Coffee! Coffee Importers along the marina has great outdoor seating, bagels, and good coffee in a relaxed setting. Walk or drive a little further up and check out the Tall Ships at the Ocean Institute and 'baby beach'.
marsee would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close to the beach and Laguna Beach but also close to the Highway and Train”
Reviewed 1/4/2018
Nightly rate: | $40 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 113 |
If you are on a roadtrip between San Diego and Los Angeles this might be a good Campspot to spend a night. We arrived there in the afternoon and went to see Laguna Beach (20min North) which was nice. The spot itself is comfortable with a firepit and picknick table. The table though was very dirty. Walk to the beach is just a few feet. ... more
If you are on a roadtrip between San Diego and Los Angeles this might be a good Campspot to spend a night. We arrived there in the afternoon and went to see Laguna Beach (20min North) which was nice. The spot itself is comfortable with a firepit and picknick table. The table though was very dirty. Walk to the beach is just a few feet. Toilets are not good equipped and maintained (no soap, no bin) and you have to pay for the showers. In summary you pay to have a secure spot at the beach in a rural area close to LA. For a night it is OK but I wouldn’t spent many days there for holiday
Pavlos would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- fishing
- picnic area
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
- view sites
Facilities
- dump station
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Crystal Cove State Park
California, Best Of Two Worlds Camping And So Close To Town. Gorgeous Views
- Kbywater
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