Ocean Cove Store & Campground

We landed here one night because the nearby state parks were full and ended up staying a few days. There were a lot of people on the weekend but it cleared out Sunday morning. Beautiful ocean views and breezy and cool. The nearby store has coffee in the morning and the necessities. The vault toilets were surprisingly clean. The only downside is it’s really far from 101 and I find the PCH a bit harrowing when pulling a camper but that’s nothing to do with the campground. I had Verizon cell but no data.

Dodging the heat wave brought us to Ocean Cove. Planned to stay for a couple nights, ended up staying a week. All sites are first come first serve, dry camping $30 cash or $35 card. Sites are large and fairly level with a picnic table and fire pit/ grill. Firewood is for sale at the store $8 cash only. Boat launch is an extra $10, but apparently worth it. All the boats that went down spent time at the fish cleaning station before leaving. We also saw people shore fishing, although it is very rocky.

We found a choice waterfront site near the boat launch. This is not a dispersed camping setting. There are no site numbers but individual campsites are clearly marked. A few people tried to disperse camp in already occupied campsites, blocking vista views for the rest of the campers. Luckily, people weren’t shy about telling them to move. If someone tries to disperse camp in your campsite, tell them to move. It’s $30 per day to dry camp; that is your campsite.

The campground is perfect for bird watching; there’s osprey catching fish and a group of falcons that are constantly hunting gulls. There are also hours of hiking trails and mini beaches to explore. No Verizon signal inside the campground or across the street at the store, but there’s a trail from the south end of the campground that leads to a lookout point on the cliffs where you can catch a signal. Our waterfront site was a huge factor, but even if we had one of the upper sites, the weather and sound of the waves would’ve been worth it.

Great place to stay along the coast if you are looking for beachfront views. Almost no privacy between spaces, but would work out well if you are in a group or ok with getting to know your neighbors. Our biggest problem was that we arrived late, after the sun had set. In the dark this place is like a maze, and it is challenging to figure out where open sites are given that there aren’t any numbers or dividers distinguishing the spaces. If you do happen to arrive after the store is closed, you just pick a site and camp, then pay in the morning when the store opens. Good bathrooms, trash cans and water spigots spread through camp for you to use. If you are lucky enough to get a bluff spot it is quite the view to wake up to in the morning.

Pretty amazing location! A bit pricey for such a basic place with not much privacy between campsites. But it’s obvious that you camp here because you’re close to the bluffs... or you’re having fun group camping. Very children and dog friendly. Lots of fishermen using the boat ramp. My husband and I spent one night here on our way to the Redwoods. It’s first come first served except for group sites. We arrived around 6pm on a Friday night mid-September and there were plenty of spots available. Check in at the store to reserve your spot. They sell firewood and lots of drinks and snacks. No AT&T service at the campground nor along most of the PCH in this area.

This place is first come first serve, only the group sites have reservations. You pay at the Ocean Cove store and if you take the road straigt in you can pick a spot on the ocean bluff with amazing views but its super winder in the late afternoon/eve. If you take the road to the left past the group campgrounds, that area is more sheltered for tent camping. We have a cabover camper but our friends were in a tent so we took shelter. Cost was $28 per night plus $4 per dog.

We arrived Friday appx 2pm with no problem for choices of campsites. We didnt use the coin operated showers. There were plenty of portable toilets that had just been cleaned. Our site was pretty large and was freshly mowed, there is a picnic table and fire pit. You can buy wood at the store right across the street. The store is small but nicely packed with amenities, I even bought benadryl since my allegies kicked up.

Our first night we drank too much wine and left our cooler out. (amatuers) The racoons got our marinated steak that was our dinner for night 2. Lucky for us they only got a few items on the top of the cooler but no problem we walked to the restaurant for dinner. Its a short walk from the store. Had fish/chips and a burger food was ok. Nice view from the bar and they have outdoor seating you can bring your dog but we did not.

There were many fisherman that were camping with their families. It was pretty quiet. No loud partying. The restaurant and store folks were really nice.

Wildlife sightings include tons of Condors flying above and tree tops, quail darting below the bush coverings, Osprey with fish clutched in talons, yellow finch, and many more birds.

There is zero cell coverage. However, if you walk the day use area along the south fence and head along the bluff to where you can see the large grey house on the bluff there is coverage at that spot

This is a gem. Location is just beautiful, you pick your own site ( right on the cliff, in the woods, close to the store or boating ramp...and you will get a spot even on a Saturday in July. Staff in the store (where you register & pay) is very friendly and helpful and the store carries a little bit of everything. Would have loved to stay longer but plans were made so left after only 2 nights but this is one of our favorite spots - and will return for sure.

On a windy and chilly bluff, but you know what you're getting in this part of CA.

No toilets or sinks or showers, just Porta Potties which was fine for an overnight. Sites are not numbered, just snag a spot with a picnic table. I was along a slight ridge that was too small for your average RV, so was surrounded by tent campers.
There was a bit of a wild family atmosphere.
Lots of kids playing in the roads, walking puppies, running about unsupervised, on bikes, learning to ride bikes, yelling.