California Coast Road Trip on a Budget: Camping and Eats

Lodging costs the most, then food, then gas. Camping half your nights and eating one restaurant meal a day are the biggest savings.

Summer weekends are the most expensive. Spring and fall weekdays, especially September and October, have lower rates and easier reservations.

Free camping on the coast itself is rare. National forest and BLM land inland often allow dispersed camping. Carry a California campfire permit where required; my car camping guide has details.

• Jackson Demonstration State Forest near Mendocino and Fort Bragg: primitive sites with a free permit
• Los Padres National Forest above Big Sur: dispersed camping off Plaskett Ridge and other ridge roads, often closed after storms
• State park hike and bike sites: cheap walk-in sites for cyclists and hikers
• Kirk Creek and Plaskett Creek in Big Sur: paid, book on Recreation.gov
• County and regional parks: often cheaper and easier to book than state parks

Buy groceries in Fort Bragg, Eureka or Arcata and picnic. Arcata has a Saturday farmers market on the Plaza.

In San Francisco, get a Mission burrito or Chinatown pork buns and egg tarts, then eat at Lands End or Crissy Field.

San Luis Obispo’s Thursday night farmers market on Higuera Street has tri-tip sandwiches and produce. In Santa Cruz and Monterey, taquerias and delis cost less than waterfront restaurants.

Food in Big Sur is limited and expensive. Fill a cooler in Carmel or Cambria first.

Fish tacos in Ventura, Oxnard and San Diego and taco trucks in Los Angeles are the cheapest good meals.

In San Diego, try Barrio Logan, North Park and Ocean Beach, which has a Wednesday farmers market.

These sights are free or nearly free.

• Glass Beach in Fort Bragg and the Mendocino Headlands trails
• Avenue of the Giants, old-growth redwoods in Humboldt County
• Lands End Trail, Golden Gate Bridge walk and Baker Beach in San Francisco
• Highway 1 turnouts in Big Sur, plus the drive across Bixby Creek Bridge
• Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery north of San Simeon
• Morro Rock and the Morro Bay Embarcadero (see my Morro Bay and Cayucos weekend)
• La Jolla Cove sea lions and Sunset Cliffs in San Diego

Coastal gas is expensive, especially in remote stretches. Use GasBuddy and fill up in bigger towns.

An America the Beautiful pass pays off at several federal fee sites. Many beaches have free street parking near the paid lot.

Pack out trash, use restrooms and don’t camp on dunes or bluffs where prohibited.

Stay behind fences on bluffs, which can collapse. Watch for sneaker waves on the north coast.