Pictured is Half Moon Bay (left) and Carpinteria (right) Camping isn't for everyone but for those who don't mind roughing it next to the beautiful Pacific Ocean, there are plenty of coastal campgrounds to enjoy this summer. Here are more than 20 beach camping spots in California. Most are operated by California State Parks. Nearly all can be reserved online through reserveamerica.com

See parks.ca.gov for camping information

SAN DIEGO

• San Elijo State Beach
• South Carlsbad State Beach

ORANGE COUNTY

• Doheny State Beach, Dana Point
• Newport Coast - Moro Campground and Crystal Cove State Beach cottages
• Huntington Beach - Bolsa Chica State Beach

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

• Dockweiler State Beach (not a favorite as the jets fly overhead from LAX day & night, but many don't mind the noise)
• Malibu - Leo Carrillo State Park (across the road from beach)

CENTRAL COAST

• Carpinteria State Beach Campground
• Santa Barbara – Refugio State Beach (mellow, set off from Hwy 101 so fairly quiet)
• Santa Barbara - El Capitan State Beach
• Lompoc area - Jalama Beach County Park
• Oceano - Pismo Dunes
• Morro Bay State Recreation Area Campground
• Ventura - McGrath State Beach
• Ventura  - Emma Wood State Beach
• Big Sur - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
• Big Sur area - Limekiln State Park

BAY AREA

• Half Moon Bay State Beach Francis Beach
• San Francisco -  Angel Island
• Capitola area - New Brighton State Beach
• Stinson Beach - Golden Gate National Recreation Area

NORTH COAST

• McKinleyville area - Clam Beach County Park - camping  right on the beach
• Trinidad State Park 80 miles south of the Oregon has campground on cliff overlooking Pacific
• Shelter Cove  area - Mattole Campground, King Range National Conservation Area
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park Gold Bluffs Beach Campground