Faria Beach

Faria Beach is famous along the Pacific Coast for being a peaceful oceanfront getaway. Despite being stationed in a relatively urban environment, Faria Beach is actually renowned in the United States as one of the best camping beaches in the entire country. If you happen to be in the process of planning a camping trip or are looking to travel to Southern cities in The Golden State like Los Angeles or San Diego, here is why Faria Beach should be on your radar.

Faria Beach Park Location and Amenities

Located North of Los Angeles in Ventura County, this county park can be found bordering the Pacific Ocean (obviously) as well as the base of the Santa Ynez Mountain Range. Faria Beach is easily accessible via the Pacific Coast Highway and is adequately labeled in the area to assist even the most directionally challenged to the promised land. 

Regarding amenities, if you are not planning to camp on-site there are practically none. Faria Beach is famous for camping, not so much for a casual day relaxing at the beach. The amount of sand is minimal and often the surf can be rather harsh. That being said, the beaches here are remarkably popular with surfers and those who enjoy kayaking, thanks to the choppy water and the lack of beachgoers.

Camping

There are a couple of things to consider when planning your trip. First and most importantly, the camping sites at Faria Beach are dished out entirely on a first come first serve basis. If you plan on visiting during peak times of the year (Spring and Summer) there is a very solid chance that you will not be able to land a spot in the main area of Faria Beach. If this is the case, you are able to park and post up along the highway in Rincon Parkway. Do not park along the Pacific Coast Highway, those are not parking spaces and that is very much illegal.

RV Versus Tent Camping

Assuming you can land a spot in this tiny park, there is still more to consider before you begin your camp. First, you must decide if you will be camping with a recreational vehicle or going for a more traditional tent camp. Tent camping is predictably cheaper, but if you decide to go with an RV approach, the next question is if you would like to partake in the luxurious option of a full hook-up. A hookup location is a camping slot that will equip you with the civil amenities of water, electricity, and even wifi via a generator. What separates a full hook-up is the inclusion of a sewer hookup, an add-on that will cost you “indoorsy” folks a premium.

Camp Etiquette

Now that you are settled and ready to live alongside your neighboring campers, there are some park rules and general camping etiquette to abide by. Most importantly is the limit of how long you are able to stay on-site. The limit is 14 days, which is more than enough time for a quality experience.

 Quiet hours

Other things to consider are quiet hours, pet policy, and limits of personnel and vehicles on each campsite. Quiet hours at Faria Beach are from 9 pm-7 am and when they say quiet they really do mean quiet. Generators are required to be turned off during this time and camp really does generally shut down to prepare for the wonders of the following day. If you tend to be more of a night owl, you are still able to relax outside around a fire ring or in your dormant RV. If you plan on doing so please keep noise to a minimum.

Pet Policy

The pet policy is that dogs are allowed on-site, however, they must be on a leash that is a maximum of six feet and there is a daily fee for your pets. In terms of individual site capacity, there is a limit to six people per site, and additional vehicles can be stored on-site if they fit within the boundaries of your designated lot. There is an additional fee for each extra vehicle.

It is easy to read all of the prerequisites for a camping trip at Faria Beach and wonder if it is actually worth the hassle that is at the surface, and I agree getting a campsite should not be like getting a table for two at the fanciest restaurant in town. However, what Faria Beach does provide is a very strong sense of community among all the visitors so it really is a cool experience. The intimate nature of being at a small established camping area is that of a small village and you will note that your camping neighbors are likely to be friendly. 

It is also worth noting that this beach should not be your spot if you intend on having late nights in really any capacity, this is the place for you if you are seeking a relaxed and completely kicked back day or two. Just chill, get a hot dog from the concession stand and enjoy the beautiful sunsets that take place over the horizon.If you are on the east coast and are looking for a similar experience in Florida, be sure to check out our posts on Grayton Beach State Park and The Best Florida Beaches for Kids. If you’re looking for a slightly less exclusive experience in California, check out our piece on Sunset Beach!