New Brighton State Beach
RV Guide

During the spring and summer months, the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center is open and is the premier place to learn about the area's rich cultural and natural history. While there, you will learn about the natives that once inhabited the area. Visiting the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center and the nearby store is the perfect way to add a little educational value to your RV vacation and provides a fun escape from the sun on the unusually hot days.

The warm Pacific waters of New Brighton Beach provide the perfect setting for everything from swimming to surfing. Many visitors venture out on their boogie boards or surfboards to catch some waves, which are particularly good at this beach. The lighter waves make this a fabulous place for newbies and kids who are just learning the sport, but the surf can get pretty gnarly sometimes. The maximum swell is typically six feet, with the smallest swells generally starting at two feet.

Fishing can be a relaxing solo activity or a bonding experience for you and your kids. The waters are rich with marine life, and popular catches include flounder, mackerel, and halibut. For the ultimate camping experience, you can catch yourself dinner and cook it in the provided fire rings. You don't have to have a license to fish at New Brighton State Beach, but be sure to check out the California Wildlife fishing regulations to ensure you are following all of the fishing rules.

Be sure to pack your swimsuit and beach toys in the RV before heading to the beach because swimming is the number one pastime here, no matter what time of year it is. However, summertime is the prime time for swimming. The beach area is the perfect place for a family picnic or beach games. The list goes on, but one thing that's for sure is that you'll never be bored during your RV road trip to California.

Anywhere nature and good cell phone service meet is prime real estate for geocaching, which is why New Brighton State Beach is such a popular geocaching destination. Geocaching is just as great for families as for couples and soloists, and it is a way to bring treasure hunting into the real world. Some caches lead you to the nearby Seacliff State Beach, where there's even more fun seaside things to do. Geocaching is a great way to get out of the camper and explore the lesser-known areas of the park.

With so many things to do on the beach, many people forget to explore the hiking trails. Don't make the mistake of staying on the beach every time you go, because the hiking trails throw you right in the middle of nature, giving you unparalleled views of the wildlife that inhabits the area. Whatever you do, just make sure you don't litter or take anything from the trails since there's plenty of beachy artifacts to buy in the park store.

During the winter months, thousands of monarch butterflies flock to Southern California for warmth, and many flock specifically to New Brighton Beach. A popular place for the butterflies to hang out is among the eucalyptus and pine trees, where you can see them in clusters. If you are a butterfly lover, it is definitely worth the trip to catch these fantastic creatures in the middle of their great migration. The monarchs are usually visible around mid-October until mid-February.

This beach likes its bike riders. In fact, they even have a bicycle camp just for those who want to camp near the bike trail. But you cannot park the RV there so you may be better off getting one of the other sites. There is a three-mile trail from New Brighton State Beach to Seacliff Beach that is absolutely stunning. While many people just walk, others enjoy biking the trail. Some people use fat bikes, which have wider tires that are not aired up as much so you can get through the sand better. The 0.4-mile Sunset Trail is also an excellent way to get into the woods on your bike and see flora and fauna of the California state beach.