Bolsa Chica State Beach RV Camping: The Complete Guide

Bolsa Chica State Beach Location

Located in North Orange County, Bolsa Chica State Beach Campgrounds can be found in Huntington Beach, between Seal Beach and just north of the Huntington Beach pier. The beachfront RV campground is nestled right between Pacific Coast Highway 1 and the Huntington Beach Bike Trail, which stretches all the way down the beach city. Bolsa Chica is a prime location for campers who enjoy beach cruising and surfing just a few steps from their campsite.

Bolsa Chica State Beach Weather

Bolsa Chica State Beach Campgrounds boasts nice weather year-round. Summer weather is usually in the high 70s and 80s, while it goes down to the high 50s and low 60s during the winter. Summer features clear days, high UV rays, and longer daylight hours, so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and sun protection wear. Winter months bring chilly weather during the day and even chillier temperatures at night, so be sure to bring plenty of firewood for camping and a thicker wetsuit for surfing.

Booking

Bolsa Chica State Beach Campgrounds is a reservation-only campground. Guests can reserve a spot up to six months in advance. Bookings can be scheduled online at ReserveCalifornia or over the phone. The campgrounds have 50 campsites, so be sure to book well in advance. It's important to note that the campgrounds are RV and trailers only, and the cost per night includes electric and water hookups. Standard campsites are $60 per night, while premium beachfront sites are $70 per night.

General Information & Rules

• Park hours are from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM

• The campgrounds have a non exempt check in time of noon of the first day of your stay and a check out time of your last day at 2PM 

• The campsites can accommodate RVs or trailers up to 40 feet.

• Dogs are allowed at the campgrounds but cannot go on the sand. Dogs are allowed on the multi-use bike trail.

• No pop-outs or awnings are allowed: The campgrounds has a narrow campsite spot, equivalent to a parking space.

• No alcohol allowed: Unless are approved with special permit

• No pinatas or balloons allowed: to protect wildlife 

• No charcoal grills allowed: You can use wood or coals on the fire rings provided but only propane grills are permitted.

• No tent camping or enclosed tents: ez-ups are however permitted

Bolsa Chica State Beach Activities

Bolsa Chica State Beach offers a variety of activities that can be enjoyed year round.  Below is a list of activities that you can enjoy at your stay:

• Biking: Located just a few steps from the campsite, bikers can enjoy the Huntington Beach Bike trail that stretches 8.5 miles down the city.
• Beach: The beach area in front of the campgrounds is open to the public where you can enjoy the convenience of relaxing by the ocean just steps away.
• Surfing: Huntington Beach is world famous for its surfing and Bolsa Chica is a popular surf spot. Boasting a mellow beach break wave, The spot is welcoming for surfers of all levels.
• Beach Volleyball: The beach area next to the campgrounds has many first come first serve volleyball courts to practice your spiking and diving skills.
• Picnicking: Designated picnic areas are located around the campgrounds with tables and grill rings provided. Tables can be reserved. 
• Fishing: Shore fishing is allowed year round with a fishing license where you can catch a variety of fish from croaker, perch, halibut, and many more

Bolsa Chica State Beach Amenities

Below is the complete list of amenities offered at the campgrounds

• Provisional Store: Camping essentials like sunscreen, ice and firewood can be purchased here. Bike and surfboard rentals are available as well 
• Restaurant: Attached to the provisional store is a small restaurant that is open all day and serves breakfast as well!
• Picnic areas: Picnic tables and grill rings Located in designated areas around the grounds
• Electrical and water hookups for RVs and Trailers
• Dumping station for RV’s and Trailers
• Trash stations: to dispose of perishables 
• Picnic table, and grill ring: Located in designated areas around the grounds 
• Lifeguards: Lifeguard towers are staffed on summer days from 10:00 AM to 6:00PM with limited staffing during Fall/spring. Towers are not staffed during winter
• Public Bathrooms: located around the campsite
• Public Beach Showers: Located in various spots in front of the beach area

Essentials to Bring

Propane Grill: Grill rings are available at the campgrounds but are only available in designated picnic areas. A grill allows you to have the convenience of cooking right in your camping space.

E-Z Up: Each campsite has a designated outdoor space that has ample room for an E-z up to keep you cool.

Sun Protection and Sunscreen: More than likely when you visit, the sun will be out so it's important to bring proper UV protection when at the beach whenever it's a brimmed hat or having a good amount of sunscreen with you .

Cooler: Whenever you’re camping in an RV or tent, a cooler is a necessity to store extra cool drinks at the campsite or to bring down to the beach.

Beach Chairs: Beach chairs can be useful for your outdoor space  but also can provide a seat to relax by the beach.

Outdoor Floor Mat: Often not thought of as much; camping by the beach often means a dirt or sandy surface in your campsite. A floor mat can help with minimizing dirt and sand in and out of your mobile home. 

Portable Shower/ Water System: After a long day of being in the sun and by the beach, a shower is a necessary commodity. While an RV usually has a shower inside, depending on the size of the group, you may have to wait your turn with your friends or family. An additional shower can be useful in speeding up the cleaning process with your loved ones. Being at the beach, a portable shower system can also allow you to set up a multi-use washing system outside your RV, whether you use it for preparing food outside, washing off the sand from your feet before entering your RV, cleaning your surfboard, or simply enjoying an outdoor shower!

Portable shower options for camping at Bolsa Chica State Beach

There are a variety of options and factors to consider when looking for a portable shower to bring for beach camping. Let's explore the types of portable showers you can bring along:

• Solar Bag Showers:

Pros: Eco-friendly, no need for electricity, portable.

Cons: Dependent on sunny weather, limited water pressure, and variable water temperature.

• Pump-Action Portable Showers:

Pros: Manual operation, compact, easy to store.

Cons: Physical effort required, limited pressure, no built-in heating.

• Propane Heated Portable Showers:

Pros: Provide hot water, stronger water pressure.

Cons: More complex setup, safety considerations with propane, bulkier, and ongoing fuel costs.

• Battery-Powered Portable Showers:

Pros: Consistent water pressure, versatile water source usage, easy to move.

Cons: Dependent on battery life, generally more expensive, may require additional water source.

So you can see that when it comes to portable showers, there are a number of choices and some may be better for your situation depending on your intended use and how much money you want to spend. If you’re looking for a solution that is convenient, easy to use, portable, and powerful, a battery-pressurized system is likely the best choice. 

If you do your research into battery-pressurized portable showers, you’ll find that RinseKit is the superior choice. Here’s why:

Why RinseKit is the best portable shower to bring beach camping

1. Superior Pressurization: Unlike many portable showers that rely on gravity or manual pumping for water pressure, RinseKit features a patented battery-powered pressurization system. This system allows it to maintain a steady, high-pressure stream of water, mimicking the experience of a home shower. This is crucial for effectively rinsing off the day's dirt, sunscreen, and sweat, making you feel refreshed and rejuvenated without the need for constant pumping or repositioning.
2. Ease of Use: RinseKit is designed for simplicity and ease of use. Filling the RinseKit is straightforward—simply pour in water from any source. Once filled, it’s ready to deliver a pressurized spray with the twist of a nozzle. There’s no setup required each time you need a shower, and its user-friendly operation makes it accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with camping gear.
3. Durability and Reliability: Built to withstand tough conditions, RinseKit’s robust construction makes it ideal for the outdoors. Its materials are designed to resist UV damage, corrosion, and the wear and tear of outdoor use. This durability ensures that RinseKit can handle from dust and mud to rain and prolonged sun exposure at the beach campsite
4. Versatility: RinseKit isn’t just for showering. Its adjustable nozzle settings (from mist to jet spray) make it incredibly versatile for other uses like washing dishes, cleaning sandy surfboards and beach gear, or even giving a quick rinse to get the sand off your feet in and out of your RV. This multipurpose functionality means you carry less while getting more uses out of a single item.
5. Portability: Despite its sturdy build, RinseKit is highly portable. It’s designed to be compact enough to easily transport to and from your campsite. With ergonomic features like a carrying handle, it is easy to move around, ensuring that you can take it anywhere you go, whether you’re heading down to the beach or just need to refill it at a water station .
6.  No External Power Required: RinseKit’s models are battery-operated, requiring no external power source to pressurize the water. Each charge lasts 4-6 months, making RinseKit an ideal companion for multi-day beach camping if you don't have an electricity hookup option. This portable power means you can also charge your external devices, like your phone or your air mattress pump, off of your RinseKit.
7. Hot Water Options: RinseKit can be paired with portable heaters like the HyperHeater, providing the luxury of a hot shower. This can be particularly soothing after long days spent outdoors or during chillier nights, enhancing comfort and relaxation.