San Simeon Creek Campground

We camped here in July 2014. We were able to get a walk up spot where everything north to Monterey was full. At that time the restrooms were closed and porta potties were provided due to the drought. Drinking water was available. We camped in the lower section within walking distance to the beach. We saw our first Pacific sunset this night. I would definitely stay again, hopefully longer.

If you travel north of here I would highly recommend stopping at the Elephant Seal Rookery along California 1 south of Big Sur.

The negatives: (Besides the water situation which is tragic for those living there and just is what it is for tourism.) Noise was terrible. Very loud people still going strong past 2 am. Firewood sales. At that time you were allowed to have campfires. The camp host sold firewood in wheelbarrow size quantities. He refused to split a wheelbarrow load. Far too much for one night and we would have purchased a small bundle in town at the grocery store if we had known.

I would return and hope party central campers stay at home.

We stayed here for 2 nights in July. The campground provided good access to local points of interest - the elephant seal rookery, little town of Cambria, kayaking at Hearst Memorial State Beach - and was kept clean.

We were located near a restroom and our gravel, back in site was fairly level. There was also a picnic table on site. We would have probably had a better time if not for the fact that upon returning from a brief hike with our dogs to the nearby beach, they were covered in ticks! We picked out nearly 20 ticks in total per dog and had to keep them cooped indoors for the rest of our time there. It really put a damper on the weekend as we all felt the heebie jeebies.

This campground's location on the central California coast and proximity to the nice town of Cambria are it's best features.

There are three distinct areas in this campground. The main area, the largest, sits along the San Simeon Creek and has the most campsites - all of which are pretty close together. The second area sits on higher ground just above the main area. Its campsites are less densely packed. The third area is a primitive campground located furthest away from the beach.

All campsites are $25.00 a day, regardless of whether the site is in an area with flush toilets and showers or in the primitive campground with only pit toilets.

NOT PET FRIENDLY. Though dogs are allowed in the campground, on leash, dogs are NOT allowed on the trails or on the beach - at all, even with a leash. One would have to drive up or down the highway from the campground to take your dog with you onto the beach.

The campground is clean and there are adequate campground personnel to maintain the facility. Safety passes through the campground by state park officers were fairly frequent.

Lots of ticks! Check your pet and yourself frequently - especially if walking in tall grass.

We always enjoy the scenic beauty of the Pacific Ocean while camping at San Simeon Creek Campground or Washburn Campground. This tranquil getaway has many recreational options. You can stroll the many beaches or Moonstone Boardwalk, visiting the quaint town of Cambria and/or partake in a tour at Hearst Castle. The Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas rookery is also a short distance north of the campground. While we were there, Humpback Whales were breaching at San Simeon Pier every day. There are 260 campsites at the park with a 35' maximum rv length (although many 40' rigs with towed vehicles find adequate length pads up at Washburn).

Hearst San Simeon Park is divided into 3 separate camping areas. San Simeon Creek offers an upper level campsite adjacent to the park kiosk and than there is the creek side campground below, all with paved parking sites. Coin operated showers and clean restrooms are available throughout both campgrounds. All water spigots have now been turned on. During the drought, all showers and flush toilet facilities were locked and water spigots turned off...but those days are now gone. There is also free Wi-Fi for campsites located near the camp hosts. It can be spotty, but if you take a seat at the amphitheater, you can surf the net or pick up emails.

Washburn Campground is considered the "primitive campground" with gravel pads and the cleanest chemical toilet kiosks that you will find. It also features a reduced nightly rate of $20.00 per site. Great views of the San Lucia Mountains are offered at this inland campground. The water spigots are also up and running at Washburn. All sites within Hearst San Simeon State Park include a fire ring and picnic table.

California State Parks are not dog friendly and this park is no exception. Beaches are closed to dogs for the protection of the threatened Snowey Plover shorebird. No dogs are allowed on trails and while in the park must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. These rules are strictly enforced by the ranger staff, so beware if you are trying to sneak an off leash walkabout.
Plus, due to the ticks, you do not want your dog running through the tall grass. If so, plan on a trip to the nearest vet. We know of campers recovering their off leash dog with over a 100 ticks on them.

There is a dump station and water fill-up for RV’s near host site. Firewood sold at the park is probably the best deal of any state park. No expensive bundles here. Your camp host will sell you a big full wheelbarrow of firewood for a mere $10.00. A great deal.

I was at first disappointed in the campground. They seemed a little unorganized and the campground was still overgrown, I guess a little due to the very wet winter. During my stay the rest rooms and showers were closed. Sad because they looked fairly new. Maybe it was due to the water shortage. There is some road noise from Pacific Coast Highway and of course the ocean at times. NOTE: my visit was in April 2017 (a little late posting)

Campground roads are paved and mostly maintained. Camp sites were moderately close with no hookups. They are paved sites surround with grass and trees. Picnic tables, fire rings are available for each site. Privacy is minimal. There is water available, trash service and a waste dump. The campground is heavily used on the weekends and holidays.

The park is located near a beach with a trail to access, but you can't take your dog on the beach. The park is also located close by to Hearst Castle, Cambria, Morro Bay and many scenic beaches along the way.

San Simeon State Park is a nice campground nestled in the woods with a five minute walk to the beach. The sites back into lush vines and trees, but have plenty of room for chairs around the fire and a picnic table. We decided to stay three nights and to test our dry camping skills!

Behind the campground you can walk along a short boardwalk trail and get to the beach! Its also close to town, Hearst Castle, Piedras Blancas, and just a short drive to Big Sur.

**note: if relying on solar panels (like us) to help with dry camping, pick your spot carefully. Most spots here have lots of shade that block the panels from getting too much sun.

We arrived on a Friday afternoon. We had initially requested a site in the upper portion, but it must've been filled, and we were placed in the lower section The lower section was filled with trees, and mostly quiet and worked out very well. The spaces aren't too close together, and the ocean is about 1/4 mile away. At night, you can hear the crashing waves, and it sounds like a wind storm.

The bathrooms were clean, and stocked with toilet paper. No paper towels for hand drying, and no soap dispensers. They have generator hours from 10am to 8pm, which struck us and some of the other campers as odd (seeing that 8am to 10pm is more normal). Some did not abide by these hours, but it was not obnoxious. There were tent campers all the way up to large 5th Wheels and Class As.

Close proximity to Hearst Castle, San Simeon, and Cambria. The walk to the beach was beautiful. Some slight noise from Highway 1, but nothing bothersome.

No hook ups at this State Park, so you must be self sufficient.

No cell phone service in the lower camp ground areas either.

We arrived here on Sat afternoon in Feb and the place was almost full. We we’re lucky to get a spot. The Sunday night the same park was almost deserted. So the first night was noisy, second night peacefully quiet. From the campsite the sound of the surf.

This is a great location. Close to Hearst Castle which is amazing, also a short drive to Cambria, Moro Bay and San Luis Obispo. The bathrooms were clean and close by with showers and a utility sink.If you want a party go on Fri or Sat night. If you want a quiet, peaceful time go during the week.

As others have said, this is a great place, close to the ocean. Sites are level and decent sized. Some are open to the sunlight and others under the trees, so take your pick. Generator times are weird, 10-8. Only had cell service with the booster.

Not our first time here. Paved sites. No hook ups but has water station and a dump site. Stayed in the lower camp. Little to no cell service. Fire pits and tables. Bath rooms and coin opp showers. Bring quarters. Quiet enough at night to hear the waves crash. Some road noise during the day.