Day Use and Campers

General Park Information For Day Users And Campers

Click here for Doheny State Beach Brochure

Park Hours:  Year round: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Park Information Line: (949) 496-6171

Camping Check-in / Check Out Times:  Check-In is 2 PM. Check Out is noon. This brief window is for maintenance staff to clean the sites.

Dogs: Dogs are welcomed at Doheny State Beach.  They must be leashed and attended to by an adult at all times.  They are permitted in the campground and day-use / picnic area.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time.  When camping, dogs must be contained in a vehicle or tent overnight.

Alcohol:  Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on the beaches or within the day use areas of Doheny State Beach.  Alcohol is permitted inside the campsites as long as all drinkers are at least 21 years of age and have valid identification. Alcohol may be consumed at Day Use sites A and B, and Day Use sites 1 through 4 with the completion of the Alcohol Waiver Form. For any questions, contact the Picnic Information Line at Doheny State Beach (949) 496-3617 or email to doheny.events@parks.ca.gov.

No Vehicle Hook Ups:  Doheny is a “dry campground”; we do not provide electrical, water or sewage hookups. For RVs in the campground, we offer potable water and a dump station.

Amplified sound is not allowed; this includes public address systems and bullhorns. The exception to the policy is for battery operated radios or “boom-boxes” playing at low-levels  of volume (as determined by park rangers or lifeguards). 

Vehicle Parking: No vehicles are permitted on the sidewalks or in the picnic areas for loading or unloading of food or supplies. Vehicles must use parking stalls in all three parking lots appropriately.  In south day use area, all tires of a vehicle must be on the roadway parking stall and not on the sand.

Extra vehicles at a campsite: A camping reservation will cover the primary vehicle only. A 2nd and 3rd overnight vehicle is permitted at $15.00 per night per vehicle. The 2nd vehicle may park in the campsite, space permitting, but the 3rd vehicle will need to park in the 3rd vehicle, South Day Use lot just south of the campground.  Vehicles in the 3rd vehicle parking lot may not exceed 20 feet in length.  If there is no room for the second vehicle in the campsite, then it may also park in the 3rd vehicle lot. Trailers will count as an extra vehicle but will not be charged if towed in by the primary vehicle.  If you are paying just a Day Use fee to visit for the day, then you will need to park in one of the day use parking lots, but may first drive to the campsite to drop off equipment or people.

Surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Kayak Surfing:  Board surfing is permitted along all the beach front of Doheny State Beach.  Stand up paddle boarding and kayak surfing is restricted to the area south of The Hammer along San Juan Creek, however, this restriction may be lifted by on-duty lifeguards due to the number of board surfers in the water north of The Hammer.

Volleyball Courts:  The volleyball courts use is on a first come, first served basis with active play required.  The exception will be courts 1-4, which can be reserved at $150 per court for an all day reservation with a maximum of 2 courts allowed.  Tournaments are not permitted.  For availability and reservation information please contact doheny.events@parks.ca.gov

Volleyballs are not provided.

Drones: The recreational use of drones in the park is not permitted.

Day Use Parking Fees

Park entrance fees are charged for motorized vehicles parking only.  There is no charge if you walk or ride a bike into the park.
Group reservations do not guarantee parking (or entry when park is full).  All parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Daily fees may be paid at the Kiosk or the automated pay machines located in the park.
Fees can be paid in exact cash or credit card (sorry, American Express is not accepted).
Autos, Vans and Motorcycles
$3.00 per vehicle per hour metered parking with minimum of 2 hours.
$15.00 per vehicle (normal day-use fee) $20 per vehicle (summer day-use fee)
$14.00 per vehicle (senior day-use fee)
Doheny Rangers recommend that anyone with an open or non-lockable vehicle pay by plate at an automated parking machine to avoid getting their ticket stolen. (e.g. motorcycles, vintage cars, open-top jeeps).
RVs 25 feet in length or under
Day-use parking is $15, payable through the kiosk or pay machines.  You may park in any of our lots.
Hourly parking is $3/hour, payable through the pay machines, with a minimum of 2 hours.
RVs over 25 feet in length
Oversized day-use parking is $30, payable through the kiosk or pay machines. You may not park in the southern day use area.
Busses
$50.00 per bus (10-24 passengers)
$100.00 per bus (25 or more passengers
Annual Pass
Good from the month you purchase the pass until the end of the same month in the following year.
$195.00

Camping Fees and Regulations

Click for views of each campsite

Whether you are a first time camper or an experienced enthusiast, you’ll find that California State Parks offers quality camping facilities in beautiful surroundings. Most state park campgrounds are open year-round, and some offer discounts for off-season camping.

Reservations for California State Parks facilities are handled through Reserve California .  Please consult that website for fee information and availability.

Group Camping

The Group Campsite is available for reservation through ReserveCalifornia only.  Select Doheny SB from their campground list and then select ‘Doheny Group’ at the park loop overview. Availability is listed through their site.
The Group campsite is $300/night. It supports twelve vehicles, ten of which are free with the reservation, two of which follow the standard $15/night extra vehicle fee. The Group campsite can host up to 40 people in tents only.

Reservation Tips

Before you make a reservation, have the following information available.

• Park selections
• Date you wish to start camping
• Type and size of camping equipment
• Number of people that wil occupy the campsite
• Number of nights you wish to camp
• Alternative park and camping date choices
• Your phone number and area code
• Method of payment/Credit card number and expiration date
• Mailing address

How to Make a Reservation

The reservation system allows campers to plan ahead and secure their campsites, thus reducing long waiting lines and turn-aways at park entrances.

Online: The link to Reserve California and the phone numbers that follow include all campgrounds that provide the convenience and service of reserving a campsite. Online reservation and other helpful information on camping is also available at CA State Parks.

By Phone: Call For Reservations at 
TEL: 1-800-444-PARK (7275) 
International Callers: TEL: 916-638-5883 
TDD: 1-800-274-7275

To Cancel a Confirmed Reservation Call Customer Account Services between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, 7 days a week at TEL: 1-800-695-2269.

Your original reservation fee is non-refundable.

Camping Without a Reservation For California State Parks campgrounds that operate on a “first come, first served” basis; TEL: 916-653-6995