Ocean Cove is an amazing place to make the drive to and camp for a weekend, a week, or even a holiday. Yes, the campground gets packed during holiday weekends--but leaving a 1-star review because a popular campground is full makes absolutely no sense . During busy weekends, the campground fills up quickly with campers enjoying their trips with family and friends. If you show up late to a popular campground during a holiday expecting an empty spot to magically be waiting for you, that might be a planning problem--not an Ocean Cove problem . The campground itself is absolutely beautiful. You get insane, million-dollar ocean views, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, and a great forest trail to walk through. Eventually, you'll find another incredible ocean-view spot known by many as "Service Rock" --usually where people end up trying to catch some service when there isn't much around the campground. One of my favorite things about Ocean Cove is the people. You meet so many friendly people, randomly start conversations, and easily make new friends. It has a real camping atmosphere that keeps people coming back. Now, some of these 1-star reviews are honestly wild . Someone said the cliffs are dangerous and Ocean Cove needs to fence off the entire campground. Absolutely not. This is a natural coastal campground with cliffs. Parents are responsible for watching their children, and adults are responsible for paying attention to their surroundings. We don't need to fence off one of the most beautiful parts of the campground because somebody forgot that cliffs are, in fact, dangerous . Then there are complaints about the honey buckets. During busy weekends, there are a LOT of people using them. The staff can maintain them, but they can't clean them every 10 seconds . Have realistic expectations. Complaining that Ocean Cove is too expensive is also crazy. Maintaining a campground, paying employees, and keeping a business running costs money. What do people expect--an incredible campground on the California coast with insane ocean views for $10 a night forever? Ocean Cove is worth the money. And the complaints about it being "overly crowded"... seriously? What do you expect during a busy weekend--an empty campground? If the place is packed, that should tell you something: people love coming here. The people working here also deserve recognition. Matt in the store is an awesome guy--friendly, easy to talk to, and always cool. 10/10. Joe is also a great and helpful guy. And Joe and Louise around the campground are both incredibly kind and friendly with a great sense of humor. Just understand: if you give them shit, you're probably going to get shit right back . And lastly: OYSTER DIVE! I don't care what anybody says--those oysters are BOMB. Fresh, cleaned on the spot, freshly grilled, and the sauces are absolutely fire. 11/10. Broke the scale. They never get old, and buying a dozen--or several--is always worth it . Overall, Ocean Cove is a phenomenal place to camp. Incredible ocean views, sunsets, forest trails, great people, amazing employees, and some seriously good food. To the people leaving 1-star reviews because the campground was busy during a holiday, because they expected every cliff to be fenced off, or because a busy employee didn't stare directly into their soul when they walked into the store: respectfully, maybe Ocean Cove just isn't for you . For everyone else who enjoys nature, camping, incredible views, good people, and having a great time--Ocean Cove is absolutely worth the drive and worth every dollar. Ocean Cove NEEDS to stay in business FOREVER and continue being passed down through generations! 10/10. Every. Single. Time. read more

Ocean Cove Campground - Parks Near Me - Walsh Landing, California

I've been camping at Ocean Cove Campground for years, and it remains one of my absolute favorite coastal escapes in Northern California. If you want front-row seats to the Pacific, this is the spot. The campsite sits right up on the bluffs, offering raw, panoramic views of the ocean, dramatic cliffs, and incredible sunsets. There's nothing quite like falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves and waking up with a cup of hot coffee while looking out for sea life down in the coves. First-Come, First-Served: So if you're aiming for a prime oceanfront spot on the bluff edge, plan to arrive early in the day--especially on weekends. Rustic Vibe - It's dry camping (port-a-potties, no hookups), but the stunning location and open layout make it worth every bit. The family-run general store makes stocking up super easy if you run low on firewood, ice, or snacks. It's laid-back, beautiful, and keeps me coming back season after season. Highly recommended if you're looking for proper cliffside coastal camping. read more

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We love Ocean Cove! You can usually get a premium ocean front spot if you check in on a Thursday early afternoon unless it's a major holiday weekend. Weekends do get busier much like any other campground in California especially near the ocean. The campground is semi rustic. Plan to bring water with your trailer, there is water there but only for incidental needs not for filling your rig. The showers are clean and take quarters. There's a decent amount of trails around but it's really a place to hangout and relax at by the fire. On busy holiday weekends it can get pretty packed so you might not want to pick that weekend if you don't like people lol Check their website because they have pricing and season dates on there updated all the time. Their social media accounts also share updates a lot. read more

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Absolutely LOVE this campground! Every single worker was so welcoming and friendly, and the convenience store had everything we needed when our son wasn't feeling well--which was such a lifesaver. And let's talk about the views! Some of the most breathtaking views I've ever experienced at a campground, and I camp all over the place. The scenery alone is worth the visit! I seriously can't wait to come back to Ocean Cove again. We had such a great experience and will definitely be returning! read more

Ocean Cove Campground - Parks Near Me - Walsh Landing, California

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My favorite place on earth -solitude -sounds of ocean and birds -beautiful hikes -Far enough from other campsites -the crows remember you -great camping community read more

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I don't really want anyone else to know how wonderful this spot is..... NO reservations (hell yeah), limited service (hell yeah), WIDE open spaces (LOVE). I cannot wait to get back here!! read more

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Went there in August on an amazing camping road trip. Everyone was very friendly. The guys that maintain the property were very helpful and even went beyond. We most definitely be back next summer! I recommend this place 100% read more

Ocean Cove Campground - Parks Near Me - Walsh Landing, California

First time here. We arrived on a Thursday and the campground was maybe 60% full, so we had our choice of a number of good campsites. We picked one right on the bluff and had amazing views. plenty of sites if you came on a Friday as well. It was super windy during the day, so we used that time to take day trips and explore the area. Fortunately, the wind dies down early in the morning and right after sunset, so we were still able to enjoy a campfire. By Saturday night it got pretty packed, with tons of people. They don't seem to monitor how many people are in each site, so it became a bit of a zoo with lots of people, cars, loud music, etc. Since we were on the bluff, though, we had some privacy and were away from most of the chaos. Cost was $45 a night, and the fishing was very successful. We explored several of the state parks and campgrounds nearby, and none of them had the views this place offers. The state park campgrounds were nicer in terms of privacy, but this campground is much more open. The sites here are also generally larger and flatter and seem to accommodate RVs better. The only real downside is the drive north from Bodega Bay or Jenner on Highway 1. It is extremely windy with tons of tight turns. The views are gorgeous, but it's an intense drive if you're pulling a large RV. Overall, we really enjoyed it and would definitely come back, especially for the location and views. read more

Ocean Cove Campground - Amazing Sunsets each night - Parks Near Me - Walsh Landing, California

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Ocean Cove Campground is such a special place. I've been visiting this property since I was a child, and it never loses its magic. The beautiful property, friendly staff, and amazing little general store make every visit memorable. And the weekend BBQ oyster stand is an absolute must! A true Sonoma Coast gem with heavenly views and many precious memories shared! read more

Ocean Cove is my favorite place on earth!! I am lucky enough to say I have been camping here since a little girl! I have lots of memories camping here with my cousins. My dad and uncle would dive for abalone and my grandma, mom and aunt would cook it up for dinner! So many great family memories have been made here. And now I am so blessed to be able to come camp here with my children! My son has learned to fish off the rocks here! You can take walks down to the cove or can even go on the other side through the trees where it's more sandy! Sites are spacious! The bathrooms are cleaned every day during the weekend! Showers are clean and hot water! The brothers that run the store are so laid back and nice! The workers around the campsite are very nice and helpful as well! The ocean views are one of a kind here. Truly blessed to have this beautiful campground located in Sonoma County! If you're worried about the cliff edge with little kids get a site towards the back! You can't beat $40 a night for this beautiful place! Other family camping in Sonoma County you are paying $100+ a night! You won't regret camping here to is so relaxing and beautiful! Also total family vibes here! Super safe!! And let's not forget the oyster guy!! The best oysters you will ever eat. Can't wait to be camping here this weekend!! read more

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Five stars across the board. The staff, views and accommodations make the drive worth it. Each campsites are unique, clean bathrooms and working warm water for showers. Plus, the ocean cove store is filled with your essential items. What makes this place a gem, is the staff. Joe, Luis, Matt and Henario are all very knowledgeable of the space. You're in great hands. We will be back! read more

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one of the best campgrounds on the coast. first come first serve campsite with amazing ocean views. Friendly staff at the general store always asking how my day is or was. They have the basics if you forget anything. Boat launch road has come a long way over the years. love being able to back down my kayaks. read more

This is my 4th time coming here and me and my wife love this place there is nothing like it in CA.Anytime I post pics everyone asks where it is and I wont tell them lol its my little secret.Im writing this while Im sitting by my camp fire listening to the waves crash. read more

Arriving was tricky because it was late and dark. Luckily our other party members had already arrived, so they met us at entrance. We tent camped and waking up to the sounds of crashing waves, smells of early risers cooking breakfast, emerging from my slumber to feast my eyes on the Pacific Ocean crashing against our California Coastline... ahhh ZEN We hiked, sort of. Just down to the tide pool area (or whatever ya call it), checking out rock formations. I found a couple of heart shaped rocks and even made a face from rocks. I called him "stoned"... Before we left come Sunday, I rocked a table. Meaning I painted a rock and left a piece of my inner peace to the finder (whomever it would be). Sincerely C.Wray read more

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Amazing place! I love the fact you don't need a reservation. I do recommend calling prior to visiting to ensure there's space!

Honestly heard great things about this campground so I decided to drive 4hrs to stay with my family. It was disappointing, first why is it so expensive? $40 per car instead of charging the campground which I actually ended up paying $89 for two nights. The bathrooms were disgusting, it was packed so you could literally see everything from the top of the toilet seat. The elderly lady with the blond hair at the store is rude and not welcoming, we love camping and are always welcomed however this was the first time she didn't even glance at us or nothing. Not sure why they can't add a safety fence along the campgrounds that are near the edge so families with kids can actually enjoy the view not having to worry so much about our kids. Also there was teenagers in the shower late at night and we're playing around and flashing the other side by climbing and just goofing around. I had to take a shower and did not feel comfortable my husband had to wait outside for me and keep an eye on them. Why not just cover the showers completely? Anyways the only good thing about this campground is that it is first come first serve. read more

Always a beautiful visit! October camping!! Embrace the magic of October at Ocean Cove! Unwinding with breathtaking sunsets, friendly smiles from the fabulous staff, and beautiful serene sounds of nature all around. What else do you need! read more

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It's been a few years since we've been back but still a solid 4 stars. Shower prices have changed slightly, $3 for 6 minutes. Port-a-potty's are hit or miss. It had been 3 days since it was cleaned per the cleaning log and it was horrid. Thankfully it was cleaned the next day and every other day we were there. They are dog friendly but require them to be a leash at all times, however that wasn't always the case. I apparently brushed up against some poison ivy while on the trail to "wifi rock" which was a bummer. All that aside, the views here are absolutely breath taking and we will continue to return to this place over any other campsites. Another thing to note, the general store across the street closed at 5pm so if u need something later in the evening you are SOL. read more

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Absolutely beautiful coastal campground! This might just be the most beautiful place I've ever camped at! Not to mention, the drive up Highway 1 was breathtaking! On to the campground! My friends and I don't have any trailers or anything, so we just did regular car camping, which was totally fine. You can find a picnic table and fire pit with bbq grill at each regular car campsite. There are various porta potties throughout the campground, and I believe one shower area. Since the ocean is literally feet away, be prepared for sandy/dusty everything. And obviously, colder weather as well. Also, there's lots of coastal area to explore within the campground, and I saw people fishing off the cliffs and rocks as well! This campground closes during the winter, so I'll definitely try to visit again in the Spring! read more

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This place is getting worse and worse. The host is very rude and have zero empathy to a people that's are camping there. Bad customer service. You can find more better place to camp then rather seating in this shit hole. read more

Can't ever get enough of the ocean at Ocean Cove camp ground. Easy to communicate with management. Love their welcoming hospitality.

Clean and helpful staff . We are repeat visitors and always enjoy it here. It's generally pretty quiet . Beautiful views access to the water. read more

My friend and I wanted to go on a camping trip and needed a place last min. We found this campground online and we liked that it was a first come first serve. It was a popular spot so I felt confident with us two girls camping. The little shop offers lots of camp food, ice, and extras! I would for sure go back! You can have a fire and the views are amazing! read more

Absolutely beautiful location and relaxation area. Only issue, I have is that there is limited spots to park our trucks and RV due to unoccupied RVs everywhere. For a Wednesday, this place is PACKED! Great locations here and there, but too many unoccupied RVs just sitting empty and families and others' have a difficult time finding a spot. read more

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Amazing camping on the ocean! Gorgeous views, Great sites, no reservations needed! Hot showers are a plus. Restaurant with full bar within walking distance. read more

Ocean Cove Campground - Parks Near Me - Walsh Landing, California

We love OC camp, hard to believe anyone wouldn't. We are tent camper's and appreciate the size of the camp sites, we love the fact that the camp store is there if we need something. Being next to the ocean is amazing - you can hear the roar at night and enjoy the beautiful views while sitting at the ocean edge or hiking on the cliffs near by. We will always be faithful OC campers. read more

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I've been coming to ocean cove for the last 6+ years with my in laws, who have been coming for over 15. Needless to say, we LOVE this campground!! We love it, because it encourages a free spirit mindset with no reservations available. When you want to go, you go. If you're planning to go on a weekend however, make sure to call, as this place is bumping on the weekends. There's a great trail to walk along the coast that is kid and elderly friendly! Restaurant close by if you don't want to cook over the fire, as well as the campground store that has everything from sunflower seeds to ice cream. Drive north a mile or two, and there's another awesome trail/rock climbing area. The only downfall, is how popular this place has become over the years, but is still our number one favorite spot to camp at!! read more

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Such a hidden gem. Beautiful spot. Workers are very friendly and helpful. We.so love camping here. No hookups but the views are breathtaking. The store has amazing amount of stuff. Local cheese, snacks and beer. Weekends they have some of the best grilled oysters. Also try the restaurant across the way. Fish and chips are pretty dang good. read more

Ocean Cove Campground - Ocean cove is amazing place. We love camping there. So quite and peaceful. If your lucky to get a spot on the cliff. - Parks Near Me - Walsh Landing, California

Went camping here at Ocean Cove Campground in October with some friends, and unfortunately we couldn't find too many good things to say about it. It's private so there's no reserving campsites, or at least the individual ones, so you have to luck out with even getting a spot, let alone a good one. Most of the spots are filled with RVs, like almost all RVs, which means a lot of the nice views of the coast are blocked by the RVs if you don't come early enough to get a spot near the cliffs. Another thing we noticed was there were a ton of families and kids there. Which is fine, but again they're all RV campers and it didn't seem like the kids, or even the parents, were taught about camping etiquette. So many people would walk through our campground, and kids would walk through our camp while we're eating breakfast and go in between our tents with the parents just watching on the road. Overall, not worth the drive to get here, not worth being surrounded by RVs, not worth people constantly cutting through our campsite. We tried it once, and maybe some people like it, but we won't be camping here again. An extra star because we at least enjoyed our time together with friends. read more

We spent 3 nights soakng up Bodega Bay. Awesome! Great beach for walking. Great campsight. Clean bathroom and showers.

Beautiful private campground on the Sonoma Coast. First come first serve so be prepared to get there early. People in the office/store are super nice. Store has a great selection of stuff you might need. Only detraction would be the lack cell service but that makes a good excuse to get off grid. read more

We come here every year. Really cool place for family and church retreats. Too bad you can't catch abalones anymore as we initially started to visit this place back in the 90's. It's still cool tho. Recommended. read more

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HANDS DOWN the best place to camp in my opinion. I've been coming here since I was a kid with my family starting in 2005. We come every single year now for my birthday and it never ever disappoints. The people are amazing, the views are amazing and it just feels like home. Absolutely recommend coming here. There aren't enough nice things I could say about it. Come see for yourself read more

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Yearly Group Campsite Reservation and it never disappoints. Walking distance to the Cove. The site has its own water, porter potties and the site is gated. Ocean Cove store is walking distance. There is always a vendor selling oysters each weekend we visit in July. Showers are nice and hot for five minutes for $2.50 in quarters. This campsite is 32 minutes South of Gualala and about 1 hour up North from Bodega Bay. read more

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This is definitely the most beautiful place in the world. In some places the view of the ocean is wonderful. there is no electricity connection unfortunately but you can take a car in your trailer but there is no sewerage. there are tables at each place and a place for a fire. read more

Ocean Cove Campground - A lot of space - Parks Near Me - Walsh Landing, California

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Such a fun campground. Definitely fills up Friday through the weekend during the summer time. I showed up Sunday evening and most of the campground was empty. Had an amazing time with great views. The price is very reasonable and the sights are good sizes. Make sure to bring quarters for the showers ($3.00 for a 6 minute shower) read more

I really loved it here during the week. It's a beautiful private campground with views. It felt safe and clean and the little ocean Cove store, which is a five minute walk from most of the campgrounds has a ton of things to tempt you. It did get a little bit noisy on the weekend, but it was people enjoying themselves and it was a happy noise. read more

We love the beauty and flexibility of this primitive campground. We can gather as a family park our RVs close to eachother and take in the sights and hikes up and down the coast from here. We've camping here for 20 years! read more

Beautiful setting. A small walk to the water. We were fortunate and had quite neighbors so slept solid. Super popular place to camp so recommend trying to book as far ahead as you can in the future. read more

We came on a Monday, the place was completely packed and they were still letting people in even though the sign said "campground full". We drove around the 20 acre trailer city looking for a spot for about half hour looking for a place to put a tent amongst all the trailers. We finally found what may have been the last available site, and reluctantly decided to stay since we had done so much work packing and had traveled a couple hours to get there on such a difficult road. The state park campsites were closed due to covid, and the regional park campsites were only accepting reservations, so "Ocean Cove" was the place to go! (Since they don't seem to care how many people are camping there or if they have adequate toilets for that many people!) We got set up, and settled into our extremely dusty and dirty campsite surrounded by huge trailers, RVs, generators, American flags and dog poop! My wife went to use the port-o-potty and found that they were so poorly serviced that she could not even sit down without touching someone else's poo! We checked the other toilets, and it was the same everywhere (see pictures!) Since there was absolutely no privacy, there was no were to even squat! We did however find that people were pooping and peeing and leaving toilet paper all along the hiking trail along the bluff, (I guess that's what happens when you have too many people and not enough toilets and you don't service the toilets often enough because you want all the $30 per night camping fees for your greedy little selfs!). Thank heavens we brought a bucket and some plastic garbage bags so we could set up a toilet in our tent, and they had a couple of overflowing garbage cans we could put the full bags next to so we didn't have to poop on the trail (GROSS!) For entertainment we watched people walking to the toilet just to walk away with horrified looks on their faces! Better than TV! We decided to cut our trip short, we left after the first night, and we will never be camping here again. PROs: "This space intentionally left blank" CONs: Everything about this place is a CON! Just don't go here if you value your marriage and the health and safety of your family! read more

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