If you get to the west coast, we love the Oregon coast there are lots of near beach camping some are fancy, most just campgrounds. It is on the cool side, but still good sandy beaches. Get your reservations because the campgrounds fill up fast in the summer and some close in the winter. We usually don't make reservations and usually get a spot, but if we go summer weekend there is very little chance of anything with power or anything. And we show up later int eh evening as the park rangers are going home, then anything not filled even if reserved is up for grabs. There are quite a few private camp/RV campgrounds. But they cost a bit more. Once had to sleep in a rest area, not our first choice that time.
Washington coast has lots of campgrounds close to the beach too, but that area is a bit wilder than the Oregon coast.... more likely to see bears, big cat and elk. We often go to Ocean shores and that beach is a drive on beach. But beware it gets busy. Like a parking lot situation. imagine 300 +- cars all parked on the beach with you. Inevitably someone during the day gets stuck because they try to drive in the soft sand. If you can' t get out with the folks there on the beach it is going to cost you LOTS of money for the specialty truck to come and get you out. I have seen vehicles where the owners go walking and don't get back in time for the tide change and that is not pretty, saltwater flooding your car is not funny. I know a few brave souls that try to sleep on the beach, but it is a state highway and the cops will knock on your door and tell you to move on. There are no bathrooms or outhouses on the beach. We go early in the day with our van and spend the day building sandcastles and flying kites and go back to the wind sheltered campgrounds for the evening after stopping and getting fish and chips somewhere. We have a nice fire, listen to the surf beyond the dunes and sleep like babies..
