15 Free Campsites along the Oregon and California Coast.
Before we dive into all the campsites along the way I need to forewarn you that these sites are a mixture between pull offs on the side of the road and “Day Use Areas”. Most of the spots may be geared towards the more savvy budget road tippper or the seasoned vanlife nomad. These spots are car/van camping specific spots. We hope this guide is helpful in finding a few spots along the cost where a free spot can be difficult to find. We will also note here the we found California much more accommodating to find places to sleep.
Also we have a longer write up and full itinerary available here!
Oregon HighwaY 101
#1. Oswald West State Park (45.744721,-123.960908)
No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping
This spot is actually a viewing area/rest stop. Take advantage of your first of many multi million dollar views from your van. Head on over to the Neahkahnie Viewpoint for your first night, right off highway 101. Also, get used to these highway stop-over camping spots in Oregon, unless you want to fork over $35 to the State Parks. There are no toilets here but have no fear there are plenty of options for your #2’s in Manzanita has plenty of services and restrooms just a few minutes down the hill.
#2. Brain Booth State Park (44.520991,-124.069295)
Drop Toilet / Day Use Area / Car Camping
Although this is a day use area you will have to use your best judgement on whether or not you wish to stay here. We camped on the east side of the park near the river access highway 101 and we had no trouble, the secret is to get there late and leave early. There are also pit toilets here as well so that makes life easy in the morning. There are lots of scenic beaches in this area to checkout.
#3. Whiskey Run Bike Trails (43.218854,-124.342054)
No Toilets / Trailhead Parking Area / Car Camping
Per Oregon standards there was a no overnight parking sign but as usual in this secluded area we ignored the signs and stayed the night here. It was very quite, however people did show up fairly early in the morning to ride their mountain bikes. We rode the trails in the morning and had a blast if you have a mountain bike and want to ride some nice professionally built flowy trails this is right off the 101 and you will be stoked you stoped.
#4 Bandon Beach Streets (43.110550,-124.432711)
No Toilets / Neighborhood Streets (Stealth) / Car Camping
We noticed while in Bandon that most of the homes are vacation rentals. So we thought no one would know that we are camping on their street. Since it seemed to be low season we just stealth parked the rig above the beach on a parking space with quite the overlook. We woke up early n the morning we headed to Face Rock State Park to use the clean and nice bathrooms and headed out of town.
#5. Indian Sands Trail Head (42.157399,-124.361562)
No Toilets / Day Use Area / Car Camping
The Samual H. Boardman State Park is an incredible state park and a the most photographed area on the coast. We explored the area the whole day, two short hikes that are worth checking out are Secret Beach and Indian Sands. We ended up staying in the Indian Sands Day Use parking lot and once again had zero issues.
California Highway 1
#6. Smith River Camping (42.157399,-124.361562)
No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car and Tent Camping
We found a nice spot via iOverlander right on the Smith River with access to a nice swimming hole. We made a fire met a Basque traveler @laidagoe who joined us for some kooky adventures. In the morning we recommend you check out Stout Grove and take the backpay out into Crescent City. There’s plenty of short trails with some of the tallest trees in California.
#7. Lost Rocks (42.157399,-124.361562)
No Toilet / Roadside Beach Parking / Car Camping
There are picnic tables and fire pits on the beach and we really enjoyed our stay. We also went climbing in the Promontory just about 1/4 mile up the beach. It was an amazing setting for a climb and to be able to wrap it up with a day on the beach was magical. We gained another traveler this night and headed south after two relaxing nights at the beach.
#8. Moonstone Beach (42.157399,-124.361562)
Portable Toilet / Beach Camping / Car Camping
We heard about Moonstone Beach from our friends who live in Arcata so we went to see what the hype was all about. Upon arrival we were pretty stoked with the scenery of the beach with the Little River meeting the surging tide. It was a great place for a swim as well as top rope climbing. We ended up staying here two nights as well right in the parking lot. Although people told us that we cant camp there we did and had no issues. Just clean up your mess and be a good neighbor,
#9. Big Tree Grove (40.350409,-123.991959)
Portable Toilets / Trailhead Day Use Parking / Car Camping
We visited the visitor center and were told that the largest trees in the California and The Avenue of the Giants was at Big Tree Grove. So we headed out walked a few short walks around the grove and stayed for the night. It was very quite here and we had no issues.
#10. Roadside pull over HWY 1 (39.694736,-123.798595)
No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping
Once we made it to HWY 1 we were ready to prepare some food so we pulled over on one of the first pullovers we saw that was empty and we cooked some dinner and passed out. We woke up to beautiful sunny weather the next day and tried not to launch our van off the road as we cruised the rig south.
#11. Point Arena Lighthouse (38.943371,-123.732553)
Portable Toilets / Scenic View Point / Car Camping
Here we would stay 3 nights and enjoy the iconic view of a historic lighthouse juts out of plateau where the land meets the sea. There is plenty of opportunities for whale watching here and if you look off the rocks the seals will be living the good life laying out all day absorbing the precious vitamin D.
#12. Sonoma Coast Road Side Pull Off (38.489223,-123.189684)
No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping
From here south it’s going to get tricky on finding free campsites. The camping here is harder to find and is more likely to be roadside pullouts but there are some nice ones. Just North of Jenner we found an amazing hill side pull out where we spent a afternoon and night watching the wales migrate while the sunset did it’s thinning the Next day we headed down to Goat Rock Beach where they have a nice large scenic parking lot, restrooms, and garbage cans… All the necessities.
#13. Jenner Roadside Camping (38.452503,-123.128298)
No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping
After a peaceful and amazing night overlooking the ocean high up on the bluffs we headed down to the small town of Jenner about 5 miles. We spent the day at the Goat Rock Beach Parking lot enjoying the sunshine and amenities at the beach. We also went rock climbing did some yoga and then headed up to the upper parking lot for the night. Here we were asked to leave by the police around 8pm and we found a last second campsite just right outside of the town of Jenner on the side of the road. Not an ideal spot but we had no issues here.
#14. Palomarin Trailhead (37.930389,-122.742040)
Toilets / Trailhead Day Use Parking / Car Camping
We stocked up on all kinds of organic produce at the Bolinas Farm Stand (Highly Recommended) then we headed to the Palomarin Trailhead. This is not by any means a free campsite and you have to be a seasoned van lifer to pull this one off without getting in trouble with the authorities. Park Rangers came by about 3 times per day but no one patrolled the area at night. Just don't let them catch you in the morning they will give you a ticket.
#15. Roadside Pull off Highway 1, Near Muir Beach (37.870438,-122.590238)
No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping
After two peaceful days at Palomarin we headed down to Stinson Beach for the day. Then that night we just found another road side pull over via iOverlander just a few minutes from Muir Beach which would be out destination the next day. We were lucky it was a Sunday and the road construction crew was off and they left their portable toilet unlocked so we had a toilet but don't count on it.
**!BONUS!**
#16. Sausalito Parking Lot #3 (37.857649,-122.480807)
Toilets / Marina Parking / Car Camping
From here we moved on to meet our good friend Phil aka @Sprinter_on_the_move. He showed us a promising spot to camp for the night. Right at the Marina in Sausalito, it was free and fairly quite for being in the city. Not the most legal but we got away with it for the night we saw plenty of other van travelers in the parking lot so we felt safe.
Thanks for reading if you are looking for any other activities to do in California or Oregon just click the links! Cheers!
