The winter months in California provide a unique opportunity for camping, especially along the scenic Central Coast. Outside the state’s iconic ski resorts, there are fewer tourists, and when there is not an atmospheric river dumping feet of water, the weather is relatively calm, with bouts of sunshine.
During the winter, nature lovers can experience the return of the monarch butterflies as they overwinter in the state, and along the Central Valley, see sandhill cranes, nature’s largest and most recognizable birds, during their annual migration.
California’s 840 miles of coastline offer unparalleled views, and in the forests and along the sloping hills that rise toward the sky, one can appreciate the spectacular beauty of the Golden State.
Whether you camp in a tent, RV, yurt, or cabin, outdoor adventurers have plenty of options. Hipcamp, a site where you can find and book outdoor stays, has curated some of the best campsites in the state for the winter months.
Unique camp sites across California
Goleta, Central Coast
Private Beach Farm: Camp inside a glass greenhouse on a historic coastal ranch once home to the world’s largest orchid farm. Winter campers love offseason visits for mild weather, migrating whale sightings and sunsets over the Pacific.
Fire up the cob pizza oven; meet goats, alpacas, pigs, and chickens; and then wander down to their own stretch of sand. Bring your pets and some firewood for a campfire. Plus, outdoor soaking tubs and a hot shower with unobstructed views of the ocean.
New Cuyama, Santa Barbara County
Cuyama Badlands: Perched on a 200-foot mesa, Songdog Ranch feels like camping on another planet. Winter brings crisp days and quiet trails perfect for exploring from the private, clean, campfire-friendly campsites.
The hot soaking tubs (extra fee) are a highlight for bathing and stargazing, especially given that Cuyama Badlands was named one of the best dark-sky Hipcamps in the 2025 Hipcamp Awards. Hit the small ranch store for firewood, ice, and essentials.
Bangor, Sierra Foothills
Hickman Family Vineyards: Pitch a tent or park your small RV beside the vines at this small family-run winery, where campers can join weekend tastings of estate-grown zinfandel and house-made moonshine.
Winter days stay mild enough for bocce and barbeques, while cool, clear nights bring brilliant stargazing. Expect friendly horses and donkeys; spotless bathrooms with flush toilets; and the chance to wander between grape rows at sunrise.
You’ll have the place to yourself as there’s just one single campsite—bring your laptop to take advantage of the Wi-Fi, but note that campfires are not allowed. Winter highs hover in the 60s, making it one of California’s mildest inland escapes.
Placerville, Sierra Foothills
Camp Nauvoo: Set on 86 wooded acres along Weber Creek, this family-run campground seamlessly blends comfort with nature, offering options for everyone, including tent sites, tipis, and safari tents. Sites are great for group camping trips, with propane fire pits, hot showers and access to a cozy lodge for games and hot drinks.
Named one of the best glamping spots to visit in the 2025 Hipcamp Awards, this is where campers love spotting deer and turkeys, hiking the short forest trails, and gathering around the communal fire for s’mores on cool nights.
Paicines, San Benito County
Bar SZ Ranch: These seven riverfront campsites are set across 2,200 acres, with Pinnacles National Park seven miles away. A working family ranch, this remote spot is prime for disconnecting among oak trees and rolling hills.
Campers can expect options for tents, RVs, and glamping, all of which come with access to toilets and potable water. The Pinnacles area is ideal for winter camping, with crisp, sunny days, and the Bar SZ Ranch permits campfires to keep warm at night.
Pine Mountain Club, Kern County
A-Frame Bliss: Tucked among tall pines, this storybook cabin stands out for its floor-to-ceiling forest views and real wood-burning fireplace for chilly nights. Winter brings light snow, crisp air and cozy seclusion—just what you’d hope for in a mountain escape just 90 miles outside Los Angeles.
Cabin campers can sip cocoa on the twin decks or read by the fire while the wind moves through the trees. Expect good Wi-Fi to compensate for the limited cell service, a well-equipped kitchen, and a full bathroom with hot water and a bathtub. The Woodland Falls Trail is a great hiking option nearby.
Joshua Tree, Southern California
The Castle House Estate: Just 15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, this desert glamping icon blends high design with a rugged landscape. Guests can stay in pet-friendly converted guard towers, bell tents, and yurts (or simply pitch a tent) on a 12-acre compound surrounded by open desert.
Take a winter dip in the aqua-blue pool or enjoy fireside cocktails beneath the desert sky for an upscale nature experience.
Thermal, Coachella Valley
Mineral Spring Date Farm: Tucked among rows of date palms just 20 minutes from Palm Springs, this working farm offers private hot-spring tubs—fed by a natural mineral aquifer—at every site.
Whether you’re in a tent, RV, campervan, or bell tent, soak under desert stars, dine on homemade kimchi ramen from the chef-trained host, and wake to quiet mornings framed by mountains, palms, and the scent of fresh dates. It’s one of California’s sunniest winter camping spots, with winter highs reaching the low 70s.
Temecula, Southern California
Namaste Farms: A 5-acre working sheep and horse farm set among Temecula’s rolling vineyards, Namaste Farms is home to flocks of wool sheep, goats, chickens and peacocks. Campers can stay in quirky glamping sites, such as a vintage trailer or a rustic treehouse.
It’s owned and run by Natalie Redding, a former model turned shepherdess, star of National Geographic Wild’s Shear Madness, and a renowned fiber artist. Mild days and cool nights make this a perfect setting for campfires and visits to local wineries.
Winter camping tips
Stay warm and safe when you camp in the winter. Here are some helpful camping tips from Hipcamp:
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Explore Central Coast gems at these one-of-a-kind California winter camping spots
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
