Orange County to Morro Bay: The Perfect Three-Night Road Trip
If you’re looking for an easy, rewarding campervan getaway, a three-night road trip from Orange County, CA to Morro Bay, CA hits the sweet spot. The drive is mellow, the coastal views deliver the whole way up, and the stops are perfect for families or anyone who wants a trip that doesn’t take ten spreadsheets to plan. Load up your van, point it north, and let the coast do the heavy lifting.
Night 1: Beach Camping Near Santa Barbara
Break the drive in half and stay somewhere with sand under your feet.
Best halfway campgrounds:
Jalama Beach County Park: Remote, raw, and a favorite for surfers. Killer sunrise and sunset views. Be sure to try the world-famous Jalama Burger.
El Capitán State Beach: Great for families, plenty of space, and direct beach access.
Refugio State Beach: Palm-lined, mellow, and usually the easiest to love. If there's availability, grab it.
Worthwhile stop on the way:
Padaro Beach Grill (Carpinteria): Easy lunch stop with a huge lawn and sandbox for kids. Food’s solid, and you get ocean views. Parking gets tight, so earlier is better.
Day 2: Cruise up the Central Coast
Keep it simple, stop a few times, and enjoy the drive.
Good breaks along the way:
Dinosaur Caves Park, Pismo Beach: Big playground, open grass, and an easy place for your a kid to burn off the wiggles.
Ostrichland, Solvang: Sounds odd. Is odd. But feeding giant birds is weirdly fun.
Solvang: Grab a coffee, walk around, maybe snag pastries. Feels like stepping into a European theme park, but in a good way.
Scout Coffee, San Luis Obispo: Clean, modern coffee shop. Great stop before exploring the Morro Bay harbor.
Nights 2 & 3: Settle Into Morro Bay
You can’t really go wrong here. All three options hit different travel styles.
Top campgrounds near Morro Bay:
Morro Bay State Park: Easy access to the bay, plus you can walk to kayak rentals and a water-view, quaint restaurant. Great if you want to mix chill time with a little activity.
Montaña de Oro State Park: On my list for a reason. Rugged coastline, quiet, and full of trails. If you want nature first, choose this one.
Morro Strand State Beach: Right on the sand. Simple, beautiful. Just know it can get windy.
Things to Do in Morro Bay
Keep it loose. That’s the whole point.
Walk the bayfront and grab a casual dinner.
Rent kayaks and paddle out near the sandspit.
Post up on the beach and let the day run slow.
Explore Montaña de Oro’s tide pools if you’re already camped out there.
Surf right in front of the rock.
A short run from Orange County to Morro Bay gives you everything you want out of a camper van trip. You get beach camping, easy hikes, good food, and enough open space to actually unwind. Keep the itinerary loose, follow the coastline, and enjoy the kind of trip that reminds you why you rented the van in the first place.
If you’re ready to make this happen, book a rental van with altCamp and hit the road. If you need help picking the right rig or shaping your route, reach out to us at hello@altcamp.com.
