California camping regulations: What you can and can't do on public land

When it comes to California camping regulations, the official rules that govern where, when, and how you can sleep outdoors in the state. Also known as outdoor sleeping laws, these rules vary wildly depending on whether you're near the coast, in a national forest, or just off a highway. Unlike some states where wild camping is openly allowed, California makes it easy to accidentally break the law—even if you're just trying to grab a few hours of rest after a long drive.

You might think sleeping in your car by the beach is harmless, but beach camping laws, the specific restrictions on overnight stays along California’s coastline. Also known as coastal camping rules, these rules often ban sleeping on sand, even if you're not setting up a tent. Many beaches have signs saying "No Overnight Parking," and police don’t ask for your reason. Same goes for roadside camping California, the practice of parking and sleeping beside highways or rural roads. Also known as overnight parking, it’s allowed in some rest areas but outright illegal in others—like near state parks or in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. The state doesn’t have one blanket rule. It’s a patchwork of county, city, and federal regulations. What’s fine in Big Sur might get you a $500 ticket in Malibu.

Then there’s wild camping California, sleeping outside of designated campgrounds in forests, deserts, or mountains. Also known as dispersed camping, this is where things get tricky. In national forests like Angeles or San Bernardino, you can usually camp for free if you’re at least 100 feet from water and roads, and you leave no trace. But in national parks like Yosemite or Joshua Tree, you need a permit—even if you’re just sleeping under the stars. The real problem? Most people don’t know the difference between a national forest and a national park, and that’s where fines start.

And don’t assume that just because you’re not building a fire or pitching a tent, you’re safe. Sleeping in your van, SUV, or camper van still counts as camping under California law. Some towns treat it like homelessness. Others don’t care as long as you’re quiet and gone by sunrise. But you can’t rely on luck. The law doesn’t care if you’re tired, broke, or just wanted to see the stars.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical answers—not guesswork. We’ve pulled together the exact spots where you can legally sleep on the beach without getting fined, the rest areas that actually allow overnight stays, and the hidden forest areas where wild camping is tolerated. You’ll also see what gear helps you stay under the radar, how to read local signs, and the one mistake 9 out of 10 first-time campers make in California. No fluff. Just what you need to sleep safely, legally, and without a surprise visit from the cops.