I tent camped around southern CA in 1998 and 2002.
The place I thought was nice and near the ocean for being so close to LA was Leo Carillo state park, though this was 25 years ago
I forget if I stayed here once on the beach, it looks like maybe there are a few spots with campfires:
https://www.ventura.org/parks-department/beach-front-parks/faria-beach-park/ The other place I stayed at was South Carlsbad state beach which was ok .. It's on the beach - no woods
I think Baja California is nice (all desert and beaches) and does not seem crowded but you have to be cognizant of crime. The place I had looked into once was maybe around Rosarito. I think there's cheap places down there and camping as well as in Cabo further south
http://www.gogringo.com/activities/surfing-mexico/http://www.gogringo.com/states/baja-california-norte/rosarito/========
I think this was the place that I had found that seemed interesting, Coyote Cals. There's fishing there too. I was contemplating going there but after 9/11 I stopped traveling far and wide as frequently. I still may get there yet though
http://www.coyotecals.com/prices.htmlTent sites: $10
http://www.coyotecals.com/baja-surf.htmlSurfing K-181, Punta Cabras and the Punta San Isidro area near Coyote Cal’s hostel, is one of Baja’s best kept surfing secrets. Safe, un-crowded and mainly deserted beaches with reef-breaks, sandy coves and long sandy breaks offer excellent year around surfing in all conditions, including northwest and south swell. The jam’n breaks of Long Beach, the big wave break of River Mouth and its 100 meter long board ride, make the area in many ways better than Quatro Casas, Shipwrecks and Freighters.