Highest-rated campgrounds in the Santa Maria area by visitors

Camping is a favorite leisure activity among Americans of all stripes. According to KOA's 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality report, the number of camping households in the United States has increased by 67% over the last decade. As of this year, 1 in 4 leisure trips involves camping.

When planning a camping trip, many factors must be considered, including the amenities. Car camping usually means driving up to your campsite, which allows campers to haul a few more amenities to the campgrounds. These sites may offer electrical outlets, public restrooms (including showers), and a grill or fire pit for cooking. RV camping and cabin rentals may also have these amenities within their units.

On the other side, backcountry or primitive camping usually involves hiking into a campsite with few to no amenities. For example, at primitive sites, campers may need equipment light enough to carry to their campgrounds. They may also need to hang toiletries to keep wildlife away and treat their drinking water.

The National Park Service manages campgrounds inside 130 park units across the United States. Each state also manages parks with campgrounds, and there are a myriad of privately-owned campgrounds, too. According to the Camping & Outdoor Hospitality report, more than half of people tend to camp within 150 miles of their home, but there are endless options for where and how to camp.

People typically must reserve a campsite ahead of time—up to a year in advance for some of the most popular sites. To help you get a head start on planning, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated campgrounds in the Santa Maria area using data from Yelp as of Aug. 19, 2025. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.

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Coastal Dunes RV Park

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#22. Coastal Dunes RV Park

- Rating: 2.7/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 1001 Pacific Blvd. Oceano, California
- Categories: Hiking, Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

Avila Hot Springs

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#21. Avila Hot Springs

- Rating: 2.8/5 (227 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 250 Avila Beach Drive San Luis Obispo, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, Swimming Pools, Massage
- Read more on Yelp

HOLIDAY RV PARK

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#20. HOLIDAY RV PARK

- Rating: 2.9/5 (57 reviews)
- Address: 100 South Dolliver St. Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: RV Parks, Campgrounds, Beaches
- Read more on Yelp

Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground

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#19. Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground

- Rating: 2.9/5 (90 reviews)
- Address: 1205 Silver Spur Place Oceano, California
- Categories: RV Parks, Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

Pismo Sands RV Resort

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#18. Pismo Sands RV Resort

- Rating: 3.1/5 (186 reviews)
- Address: 2220 Cienaga St. Oceano, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, RV Parks
- Read more on Yelp

Gaviota State Park

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#17. Gaviota State Park

- Rating: 3.1/5 (130 reviews)
- Address: 17620 Gaviota Beach Road Gaviota, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, Parks
- Read more on Yelp

Cerro Alto Campground

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#16. Cerro Alto Campground

- Rating: 3.1/5 (47 reviews)
- Address: 13741 Cerro Alto Road Morro Bay, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, Boating
- Read more on Yelp

Flying Flags Avila Beach

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#15. Flying Flags Avila Beach

- Rating: 3.2/5 (94 reviews)
- Address: 6450 Babe Lane Avila Beach, California
- Categories: RV Parks, Campgrounds, Vacation Rentals
- Read more on Yelp

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area & State Park

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#14. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area & State Park

- Rating: 3.4/5 (320 reviews)
- Address: 1 Lakeview Drive Santa Barbara, California
- Categories: Lakes, Fishing, Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

El Capitan State Beach

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#13. El Capitan State Beach

- Rating: 3.5/5 (233 reviews)
- Address: 10 Refugio Beach Road Goleta, California
- Categories: Parks, Beaches, Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

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Pismo State Beach - North Beach Campground

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#12. Pismo State Beach - North Beach Campground

- Rating: 3.6/5 (89 reviews)
- Address: 555 Pier Ave. Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

Refugio State Beach

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#11. Refugio State Beach

- Rating: 3.6/5 (125 reviews)
- Address: 10 Refugio Beach Road Goleta, California
- Categories: Parks, Beaches, Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

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#10. Sun Outdoors Santa Barbara

- Rating: 3.6/5 (209 reviews)
- Address: 100 El Capitan Terrace Lane Santa Barbara, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, RV Parks
- Read more on Yelp

Pacific Dunes Riding Ranch

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#9. Pacific Dunes Riding Ranch

- Rating: 3.6/5 (124 reviews)
- Address: 1207 Silver Spur Place Oceano, California
- Categories: Horseback Riding, Horse Boarding, Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

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#8. Pismo Coast Village RV Resort

- Rating: 3.7/5 (356 reviews)
- Address: 165 South Dolliver St. Pismo Beach, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, RV Parks
- Read more on Yelp

Morro Bay State Park

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#7. Morro Bay State Park

- Rating: 3.7/5 (172 reviews)
- Address: 60 State Park Road Morro Bay, California
- Categories: Beaches, Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

Lopez Lake

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#6. Lopez Lake

- Rating: 3.8/5 (128 reviews)
- Address: 6800 Lopez Drive Arroyo Grande, California
- Categories: Boating, Campgrounds, Hiking
- Read more on Yelp

Figueroa Campground

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#5. Figueroa Campground

- Rating: 3.8/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: Figueroa Mountain Road Los Olivos, California
- Categories: Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

North Beach Campground

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#4. North Beach Campground

- Rating: 3.8/5 (91 reviews)
- Address: 399 South Dolliver St. Pismo Beach Ca, California
- Categories: Campgrounds
- Read more on Yelp

Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground

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#3. Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground

- Rating: 3.9/5 (863 reviews)
- Address: 180 Ave. Of The Flags Buellton, California
- Categories: RV Parks, Campgrounds, Vacation Rentals
- Read more on Yelp

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Santa Margarita KOA Holiday

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#2. Santa Margarita KOA Holiday

- Rating: 4.1/5 (133 reviews)
- Address: 4765 Santa Margarita Lake Road Santa Margarita, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, RV Parks
- Read more on Yelp

Jalama Beach County Park

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#1. Jalama Beach County Park

- Rating: 4.1/5 (167 reviews)
- Address: 9991 Jalama Road Lompoc, California
- Categories: Campgrounds, Beaches
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 199 metros.