If you’re planning your trip to Southern California, we strongly recommend you consider staying at the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station campground. Located 8 miles south of Long Beach, the campground provides a perfect mix of affordable accommodations, amenities, and convenient location. Additionally, there’s the added military camaraderie dimension that makes it an even more special experience.
Military Campground Eligiblity
This is a military campground typically reserved for active and retired military. If you aren’t sure if you can access the base, see our Guide to Using Military Campgrounds.
The official name of the campground is Sea Breeze RV Park and as you can see in the video below there definitely was a good breeze almost every day during the month of February.
Amenities
One of the things we liked best about this campground was the large RV wash bay with sprayers on both sides located at the entrance to the park. After more than a week of boondocking in the desert, we made good use of it!
All 85 sites are full hook-ups and another great thing about this military campground is that it didn’t meter electricity when you are on the monthly rate.
There was a laundry room with FREE washer and dryers!
What We Loved
One of the biggest advantages of staying on military bases and places like the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station campground is its affordability. In comparison to other local accommodations in the area, the campground offers a great deal, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Another thing we really like about Navy bases in particular is that most allow you to make reservations. We were able to make ours six months in advance here. However, you can’t reserve specific sites (or even specific site types) here.
What We Didn’t Love
One of the drawbacks of this campground is that the interior roads are fairly narrow. So while the sites are 20 ft. x 50 ft. according to the brochure, it can be pretty tricky to maneuver a large fifth-wheel or travel trailer.
We were fortunate enough to get a pull-through, but as previously mentioned you can’t reserve them specifically.
Another drawback is that there is no commissary or exchange at this base. They have a very small shopette style NEX that is only open during traditional duty hours Mon-Friday.
National Wildlife Refuge
Part of the base is also a national wildlife refuge and part of it is directly adjacent to the campground. The refuge is home to herons (they were everywhere) and a lot of migratory birds.
There was a nature trail that connected the campground to the gardens at the refuge center. We were there in February and everything was starting to bloom.
Local Area
The Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station campground is located in a prime spot, just 25 miles from Los Angeles and 20 minutes from Disneyland. Not only is it close to these popular attractions, but it also provides a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean.
We especially enjoyed the coast particularly south of the base. Crystal Cove State Park was one of our favorites. You start up on the bluffs and follow the trails leading down to the beach and small tidal pools.
We also had a lot of fun going to Huntington Dog Beach with our friends. While the water was a little too cold for us, the dogs had a lot of fun playing in the water.
In Long Beach, you can rent bikes to ride around the harbor and enjoy the beautiful views.
As you return your bikes, head over to Shoreline Village, which is just a few minutes walk from the harbor. This shopping district is known for its charming restaurants and cafés that serve mouth-watering dishes, from fresh seafood to Mexican cuisine and everything in between. You can also browse through the boutique shops and stay for a while to enjoy the mesmerizing sight of the beautiful harbor.
There are also plenty of things to do in Anaheim for couples.
Be warned: If you want to go north towards LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Universal Studios you are going to spend A LOT of time in traffic. Most days it took us well over an hour to go 20 miles.
Other California Campground Recommendations
We really enjoy camping on the West Coast and have created a list of the best campgrounds in California for your reference. Take a look and let us know what we’re missing.
Sharing is caring! Feel free to share this article on social media or save the image below to Pinterest.
