San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park
Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Mar. 15, 2021

Nice campground but Washburn is better!

San Simeon Creek Campground is one of two campgrounds at Hearst San Simeon State Park, the other being the primitive Washburn Campground. The only difference between the two besides the $15 / night price difference is that San Simeon Creek has flush toilets and showers available, and Washburn has pit toilets.  Neither have hookups and both have access to the dump and water fill which is located between the two campgrounds near the host.

We stayed in site #9 for one night, which I would recommend you avoid. This spot is used as a cut through to the bathroom, not only by campground guests but by people parked on the road behind the campground who hop the fence to come into the campground and use the restroom.  We had people traipsing through all day and all night.

Showers are clean and reasonably priced, at $1 for 12 min. Pressure was decent and temperature was good (warm enough).  

Campground was busy with families and kids and large groups.  It was very active, but we stayed there on a Saturday night so that might be why.

Staff was really friendly.  When we arrived there was a sign indicating both campgrounds were full but we asked if there were any cancellations or anything available and they said one spot had just opened up which they allowed us to pay for and take without making the reservation online.

The campground is close to the cute town of Cambria, as well as some restaurants in San Simeon.

Firewood is sold by the host only during certain hours, currently 330-630pm only.

There was good ATT and ok TMobile service, but Verizon was very weak/unusable.

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Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
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  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021
  • Review photo of San Simeon Creek Campground — Hearst San Simeon State Park by Laura M., March 15, 2021