32 Best Summer Camps in California for Kids & Teens
If you’re looking for the best summer camps in California, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve collected a large list of the best camps you can find in the Golden State.
California is the largest state in the country. Although it’s known for LA and other urban areas, California has plenty of untapped wilderness, forests, and mountains, which means that there are many picturesque places for summer camps throughout the state. With its vast diversity, California is a natural playground where all children are entitled and welcome to romp and play.
Not all summer camps in California are created equally, however. You’ll find that there’s a vast difference between summer camps in Northern California and camps further south, for example.
Table of Contents
- Types of Summer Camps To Explore
- Summer Camps in North Central California
- Summer Camps in the Bay Area
- Summer Camps in Central California
- Summer Camps in the Inland Deserts Region of California
- Summer Camps in the South Coast Region of California
- There are Plenty of California Summer Camps to Choose From
Types of Summer Camps To Explore
There are actually several different types of summer camps for kids out there. Because of that, it’s helpful to know them beforehand before you look for day camps in Northern California or sleepaway camps in Southern California.
The two major summer camps are day camps and sleepaway — or overnight — camps.
Day camps are more of a school-like environment, and you’ll need to drop off and pick up your kid each day. Sleepaway and overnight camps are likely what you think of when you think of summer camps since they also provide accommodations to campers.
There are also camps divided by age. You’ll find summer camps for teenagers in California, as well as summer camps for younger children.
With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about the best summer camps in California.
Summer Camps in North Central California
Known for some of the riches biodiversity on the West Coast, North Central California has so much to offer residents and tourists alike. This area also has tons of fun-filled days to offer kids for summer camp. If you’re a parent looking for awesome summer camps in north central Californa, then check these outstanding choices out.
Rebounderz in Sacramento
City: Sacramento
More Info on the Camp: Rebounderz is one of the most fun summer camps in Sacramento, with indoor trampoline areas, climbing walls, an air pit, an arcade, and more. It’s an excellent option for those looking for something different from your usual summer camp. You can enroll in three-day camps, which cost $239, or one-day camps, which cost $119, throughout the summer.
Website: https://www.rebounderz.com/summer-camps-sacramento/
Coppercreek Camp
City: Greenville
More Info on the Camp: Coppercreek Camp in Greenville is a quintessential summer camp with various outdoor activities, skill-building sessions, and more. Since being affected by the Dixie Fire, Coppercreek Camp is planning on offering glamping services and RV sites for campers.
Website: https://coppercreek.com/
Rock-N-Water Christian Camps
City: Lotus
More Info on the Camp: Rock-N-Water Christian Camps is a camp that provides services to church youth groups, families, and more. It features activities from rock climbing to whitewater rafting while incorporating Christian teachings. Prices vary depending on the camp and included activities.
Website: https://www.rocknwater.com/
Camp Augusta
City: Nevada City
More Info on the Camp: Camp Augusta is a summer camp located in the Sierra Nevada forest with more than 150 activities from zip lines, canoeing, arts and crafts, music, and more. It’s available for multi-day options throughout the summer, and it costs $375 per person to $500 per person, depending on the camp.
Website: https://campaugusta.org/
Mountain Camp Woodside
City: Portola Valley
More Info on the Camp: Mountain Camp woodside is an appropriately named option that has been offering campers friendship, adventure, and learning for 46 years. Summer enrollment rates start at $1,095 for a one-week session or $2,095 for a two-week session.
Website: https://mountaincampwoodside.com/
Summer Camps in the Bay Area
The Bay Area of California is known for sensational beaches, Silicon Valley, and fine wine country such as Napa Valley and Sonoma. This region is also known for some serious good times and memories made. Here are our top picks for summer camps in the Bay Area, California.
YMCA Camp Jones Gulch
City: La Honda
More Info on the Camp: Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, YMCA Camp Jones Gulch features a range of activities that you’d normally find at a summer camp — including campfire chats, archery, youth sports and more. It costs $660 to $880 a week, depending on the week.
Website: https://www.ymcasf.org/locations/ymca-camp-jones-gulch-0
Roughing It Day Camp
City: Lafayette
More Info on the Camp: Family owned and operated since 1972, Roughing It Day Camp is a summer camp focused on outdoor skill-building and small groups. It costs $2,990 for a two-week session, with prices increasing based on the timeframe.
Website: https://www.roughingit.com/
The YMCA at Camp Arroyo
City: Livermore
More Info on the Camp: The YMCA at Camp Arroyo is both an event space and a camp. Although it has a range of quintessential summer camp activities, it focuses on providing a camp experience to existing youth groups and programs. Rental prices begin at $61 per person per night.
Website: https://www.ymca.org/camps/camp-arroyo
YMCA Camp Loma Mar
City: Loma Mar
More Info on the Camp: Camp Loma Mar is a traditional summer camp at the foot of the Santa Cruz mountains. There are various activities, from hiking among the beautiful redwoods to scaling rock walls and swimming. Various weeks are available throughout the summer, and the camp costs $770 for Y members and $850 for non-members.
Website: https://ymcaeastbay.org/camps/camp-loma-mar/summer-camp
Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp, Inc
City: Novato
More Info on the Camp: There are many traditional camp activities at Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp, ranging from performing arts to paddle boarding to volleyball. Camp prices range from $2,295 for a one-week camp to $4,195 for a two-week camp.
Website: https://highsierracamp.com/
CYO Camp
City: Occidental
More Info on the Camp: CYO Camp is a summer camp operated by Catholic Charities that focuses on helping kids of all religious backgrounds foster positive relationships. Activities include soccer, swimming, archery, and more. A weeklong session at CYO Camp costs $815.
Website: https://catholiccharitiessf.org/cyocamp/
Mountain Camp Woodside
City: Portola Valley
More Info on the Camp: Mountain Camp woodside is an appropriately named option that has been offering campers friendship, adventure, and learning for 46 years. Summer enrollment rates start at $1,095 for a one-week session or $2,095 for a two-week session.
Website: https://mountaincampwoodside.com/
Celsius and Beyond
City: San Francisco
More Info on the Camp: Celsius and Beyond is unique among California summer camps for its emphasis on allowing kids to explore scientific concepts and skills. It distills college-level courses into activities designed to help kids explore scientific concepts. Rates start at $585 per weeklong session.
Website: https://celsiusandbeyond.com/
Walden West
City: Saratoga
More Info on the Camp: Operated by the Walden West Foundation, this summer camp is heavily focused on helping kids develop a lifelong passion for science, engineering, and the outdoors. It offers day camps with activities like arts and crafts, gardening, nature study, and hiking. No prices were listed online as of writing.
Website: https://www.waldenwest.org/
Frontier Ranch Camp
City: Scotts Valley
More Info on the Camp: Frontier Ranch is a summer camp in Scotts Valley, just south of San Jose. At this camp, you’ll find a range of outdoor and learning activities divided into junior, day, and high school camps. Junior high and high school camps cost $515 for a week.
Website: https://frontier-ranch.com/
Kennolyn Camp
City: Soquel
More Info on the Camp: Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this camp offers day camps, overnight camps, and family camp options with a range of fun activities. It costs between $600 to $855 for family camps, while overnight options cost $2,800 for a one-week stay.
Website: https://www.kennolyncamps.com/
Summer Camps in Central California
World-renowned for its fertile soils, the Central region of California is easily the agricultural gem of the state. It’s also a great place for kids to swim, play, learn, and enjoy the summer. Here are a few of our picks for summer camps in the Central region of California.
Skylake Yosemite Camp
City: Brass Lake
More Info on the Camp: Described as a classic sleepaway summer camp experience, Skylake is located in Brass Lake, and it provides fun activities and learning without cell phones or video games. It costs $4,175 for a two-week summer camp experience.
Website: https://www.skylake.com/
Camp Ocean Pines
City: Cambria
More Info on the Camp: As the name evokes, Camp Ocean Pines is located on thirteen acres of Monterey Pine forest that overlook the ocean. Summer camp programs at Camp Ocean Pines emphasize the connection between campers and fostering a love of the natural world. A six-day session costs $1,900, while a two-week session costs $2,850.
Website: https://campoceanpines.org/
Jenness Park Christian Camp
City: Cold Springs
More Info on the Camp: A religious summer camp located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Jenness Park Christian Camp offers both youth and teenager camp options. There are various dates available, and the camp costs $359 per participant for a five-day session.
Website: https://www.jennesspark.com/
Jameson Ranch Camp
City: Glennville
More Info on the Camp: Jameson Ranch Camp is a unique camp that’s located on a working ranch. It offers many activities that you might not find at a typical summer camp, such as overnight backpacking and horseback riding. It costs $3,330 for a two-week session.
Website: http://www.jamesonranchcamp.com/
Camp Tawonga
City: Groveland
More Info on the Camp: Camp Tawonga is a Jewish summer camp focused on expanding leadership skills and creating both lifelong memories and friends. There are one-, two-, and three-week sessions available with a range of activities. It costs $4,295 for a two-week session.
Website: https://tawonga.org/
YMCA Camp Sequoia Lake
City: Miramonte
More Info on the Camp: A classic camp experience located on Sequoia Lake, this camp offers young people a week of unplugging from technology, learning opportunities, and the ability to forge lifelong friendships. Rates are tiered and will vary depending on the circumstance.
Website: https://ymcacampsequoialake.org/
Calvin Crest Conferences
City: Oakhurst
More Info on the Camp: Calvin Crest Conferences is one of many Christian summer camps in California. It’s located in the Sierra National Forest and has more than 340 acres of natural ground. Rates begin at $160 per person, depending on accommodations.
Website: https://www.calvincrest.com/
Camp Sugar Pine
City: Oakhurst
More Info on the Camp: Camp Sugar Pine in Oakhurst is a Christian summer camp nestled in the mountains. It strongly focuses on combining faith with fun, with everything from chapels and worship to outdoor activities. It costs $489 for a week session.
Website: http://www.sugarpine.org/
River Way Ranch Camp
City: Sanger
More Info on the Camp: River Way Ranch Camp is an award-winning California summer camp with both learning opportunities and outdoor experiences. One-week and two-week sessions are available, with prices starting at $2,695.
Website: https://www.riverwayranchcamp.com/
Summer Camps in the Inland Deserts Region of California
Close to Los Angeles, the Inland Deserts Region of California affords a myriad of fun-filled activities for summer campers as well as being close to many LA residents. To prove our point, here are our hand-picked selections for summer camps in the Inland Deserts area of California.
Wasewagan Summer Camp & Retreat
City: Angelus Oaks
More Info on the Camp: Wasewagan is a camp nestled in the forests near Big Bear and built next to the Santa Ana River. Because of its location, it ranks highly among overnight summer camps in Southern California. Activities include everything from nature education to fishing to river volleyball. It costs $1,360 per week during the summer months.
Website: https://www.wasewagan.com/
YMCA Camp Whittle
City: Fawnskin
More Info on the Camp: From moonlight ziplining to kayaking, there are a plethora of activities to take part in at YMCA Camp Whittle. Located in San Bernardino County, this camp allows kids and teens to explore nature and build lifelong friendships. No prices were listed as of writing, but past camps have cost $725 for a session.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/YMCACampWhittle/
AstroCamp
City: Idyllwild
More Info on the Camp: One of the best summer camps in California, Camp Astro offers special one-week and two-week programs that feature many traditional camp activities. However, Camp Astro also incorporates science exploration and astronomy learning. It costs $1,950 for a one-week session.
Website: https://astrocamp.org/
Pali Adventure
City: Running Springs
More Info on the Camp: Pali Adventure is a Southern California summer camp located near LA that gives campers agency by allowing them to personalize their experience. Specialties include everything from Aviation to Movie Makeup. Two-week camps cost $4,190, with prices increasing depending on duration.
Website: https://paliadventures.com/
Summer Camps in the South Coast Region of California
With breathtaking seascapes, dynamic beach views, and an ever-uplifting breeze from the Pacific – the South Coast Region of California is a goldmine of natural living, fine dining, and much more. This area of California is also a mecca for summertime fun-seekers in the form of phenomenal camps your kids will love. Check out these summer camps in the South Coast area of California.
Camp Keystone
City: Agoura Hills
More Info on the Camp: One of the top summer camps in Agoura Hills, Camp Keystone is a day camp with a full range of activities from “classic” to “cool” — including go-carts, karaoke, archery, and nature exploration. It costs $670.50 for a one-week session, with prices increasing up to nine weeks.
Website: https://campkeystone.com/
Amplify Sleep Away Camp
City: Ojai
More Info on the Camp: Amplify Sleep Away Camp is a girls’ overnight summer camp located in Ojai, California. It’s designed to be an inspiring and empowering camp where campers choose a “track” to focus on during their session, from journalism to music production. It costs $3,850 per two-week session.
Website: https://www.girlsrocksb.org/
Camp Ramah in California
City: Ojai
More Info on the Camp: Camp Ramah is a Jewish summer camp located in Ojai, California. It boasts a range of activities, from Israeli dancing to Krav Maga and from archery to woodworking. Pricing varies, with $3,110 for a one-week session being the lowest rate.
Website: https://ramah.org/
Camp Adventurewood
City: Pasadena
More Info on the Camp: This outdoor-themed day camp is located in Pasadena and is focused on creating an environment for fun, learning, and growth. It hosts many activities, from wild animal encounters to horse-drawn wagon rides. A full six-week session costs $3,990.
Website: https://campadventurewood.com/
There are Plenty of California Summer Camps to Choose From
Whether you’re looking for day camps that are close to home or overnight summer camps in California, there are plenty of options out there. The best one will depend on where you live, who your child is, and the kind of experience that you and they both want.
