Glamping close to Agoura Hills, California offers diverse terrain experiences ranging from coastal beaches to mountain foothills within a 30-mile radius. The region's Mediterranean climate features dry summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F and mild winters dropping to 40-50°F at night. Several campgrounds maintain year-round operation despite seasonal temperature fluctuations that can affect comfort levels in canvas accommodations.
What to do
Hiking trails with wildlife viewing: Castaic Lake State Recreation Area provides access to miles of hiking trails with potential animal sightings. "Gorgeous location right on the lake, the waters clear and there's a generous amount of trees surrounding for shade," notes one visitor at Castaic Lake. The recreation area features both upper and lower lakes with distinct ecosystems.
Beach exploration and tide pools: Leo Carrillo State Park combines canyon camping with marine discovery opportunities. A camper explains, "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access- it's about a 10-minute walk from most sites, and you can explore some amazing tide pools and caves once you get there. The kids loved searching for hermit crabs and sea anemones." Bring a wagon for beach gear transport.
Historical movie locations: Malibu Creek State Park offers unique Hollywood history exploration. A visitor notes, "The state park is a former movie set and is filled with easily accessible trails for hiking and some for mountain biking. The primary trails were open fire roads with off-shoots to lakes, pools, meadows, and more."
What campers like
Proximity to supplies: Many glamping sites near Agoura Hills provide convenient access to modern amenities. "Santa Cruz non-hook-up sites have: asphalt parking (close to level); picnic table; fire pit. Individual restrooms with flush toilets and hot/cold water sinks cleaned daily but get lots of use," describes one camper at Carpinteria State Beach.
Wildlife encounters: The natural diversity around glamping accommodations creates memorable wildlife experiences. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear. On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek," reports a Malibu Creek visitor.
Seasonal water activities: Lake Casitas Recreation Area offers water-based recreation despite restrictions. "The most fun is the water park. You can take a break from the heat and tube down the lazy river. Also there is a disk golf course," mentions one camper, while another adds, "Before our current rig we had a class A motorhome. One of our first camping trips was to Lake Casitas recreation area. We were able to backup to the lake and litterally fish off our rear bumper."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several glamping locations experience noise disruptions. At Dockweiler Beach RV Park, "You will hear each and every if the planes taking off from LAX, but at one point you don't hear them anymore. It was not really annoying, but that flight at 5a was..." Similarly, train noise affects some coastal sites.
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife requires specific preparations. A Leo Carrillo camper warns, "Spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly." Another notes, "Squirrels are very aggressive and will eat your food if left unattended."
Seasonal weather impacts: Temperature variations affect comfort significantly. "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. Typically during the summer season, I like to find campgrounds that have a lot of lush trees so we can be under the canopies and stay cool," explains a Malibu Creek visitor, recommending spring or fall visits instead.
Tips for camping with families
Group-friendly sites: Certain areas offer better configurations for family gatherings. "The inner circle of sites abuts the bathrooms and is better for groups. The outer rings on three sides have nice views, but some sites on the south side are shorter and abut a fence," advises a Malibu Creek camper about site selection strategy.
Children's activities: Ventura Ranch KOA provides exceptional kids' programming. "From zipline obstacle courses to tie dye classes, this KOA easily occupies kids and has teepee and cabin rentals available for glampers, but nice showers, clean bathrooms and a roomy pool area really make this campground 5 stars," shares one visitor. Another mentions, "They have a very large jumping pillow for kiddos, my 6 year had a blast playing on it."
Vehicle height restrictions: Some sites have specific access limitations. At Leo Carrillo, one camper warns, "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" This height restriction affects beach access for larger vehicles.
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: Oak Park offers varied RV accommodation options. "Stayed here a few times — quiet except for trains electric and sewer hook ups," notes one RVer at this location. Another mentions, "There are two camping lots here, the Upper and the Lower campgrounds. Both seem to be more geared for RV use, the Upper lot is almost completely asphalt and pretty exposed to the sun."
Beach proximity considerations: Some glamping sites provide direct beach access that RVers particularly value. "We selected our campsite based on the map and online photos. We couldn't have been more pleased with the location we chose! Our space was F-11 and after driving through all of the campgrounds, and there are many, we felt that the Fox site was best suited for us," shares a Lake Casitas visitor describing their ideal location.
Dump station availability: Not all glamping sites offer full hookups. A Kenney Grove Park visitor notes, "This county park campground is packed full on the weekend. Many big rigs are shoehorned in, making me feel kinda cramped. There are many trees and plantings, so it's not a parking lot. No sewer, and $15 dump station is in town, 2 or 3 miles."
