Tent and RV camping options surround Bell Gardens within a 15-mile radius, offering both urban and beach settings. The area maintains mild temperatures year-round, with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F and winter lows seldom dropping below 45°F. Most campgrounds in this region enforce strict quiet hours between 10 PM and 6 AM due to their proximity to residential areas.
What to do
Beachfront activities: At Dockweiler Beach RV Park, campers can enjoy direct beach access with ocean views. "We parked right by the Pacific Ocean, watched planes from LAX fly overhead, and soaked in a stunning sunset. It was the ideal place to settle into our campervan life," reports Prince C. The park features a bike path that extends for miles in both directions, making it perfect for morning workouts.
Explore wildlife areas: The wetlands near Los Alamitos provide excellent birdwatching opportunities in a quiet natural setting. "Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too," notes Chuck T., highlighting the pet-friendly trails that wind through preserved habitat areas.
Water recreation: Bonelli Bluffs offers multiple water activities within its regional park. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking," explains Jessica P. The park maintains designated water zones for different activities, creating a multi-use recreation area.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Anaheim Harbor RV Park provides convenient access to major tourist destinations. "We walked to and from Disney. Super easy. It's a mile each way," shares Jennifer H. The location makes it possible to avoid parking fees at major attractions while maintaining a comfortable base camp.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards remain high at many campgrounds in the area. At Golden Shore RV Resort, campers appreciate the consistently clean environment. "The pool, showers, bathrooms are all spotless," notes Rachel P. This extends to all facilities including laundry areas and common spaces.
Seasonal fruit: Unique amenities distinguish certain parks from others. "Free citrus picking!" highlights Emily S. about Orangeland RV Park, where campers can harvest oranges directly from trees throughout the property—an unusual perk for an urban campground experience.
What you should know
Airport noise levels: Some beachfront locations experience significant aircraft noise. At Dockweiler Beach RV Park, "You will hear each and every of 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..." explains Ignasi M. The trade-off for oceanfront camping includes adjusting to the flight patterns overhead.
Bathroom access hours: Several campgrounds restrict nighttime bathroom access. "The only downside is they lock the bathrooms from 8pm-730am," mentions Derrick about Golden Shore RV Resort, making it important to plan accordingly, especially when camping with pets or children.
Military credentials required: Seabreeze At Seal Beach offers excellent facilities but with strict access requirements. "A well kept secret with one drawback; everyone has to have an ID card to get on the base or be pre approved by base security," William M. explains. Proper military identification must be arranged well before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: When visiting Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground, choose carefully among available spots. "We had a beach front space (B035) with a decent sized palm tree. The only one I really saw," notes Michele H., indicating the importance of requesting specific sites when making reservations.
Safety considerations: Urban campgrounds require different safety awareness than remote locations. "There is live music at the beach bars nearby which was cool. Definitely bring bike," advises Michele H. about Bolsa Chica, highlighting the need to secure valuables while enjoying the surrounding amenities.
Activity planning: Schedule activities around peak crowd times, especially at beach locations. "Very lively/loud beach on weekend, very chill weekdays," observes PJ M. about Dockweiler Beach, suggesting that families with young children might prefer midweek stays for a calmer experience.
Tips from RVers
Space limitations: Many urban RV parks maximize capacity through compact layouts. "The spaces aren't huge so if you have a big rig or large trailer it will be tight. Most trailers parked their tow vehicle perpendicular to the space and some barely fit," explains Michele H. about Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground.
Additional fees: Hidden costs can impact budget planning for RVers. At Anaheim Harbor RV Park, "If you have a larger RV or slide-outs it is recommended you book Deluxe space or Deluxe space+ parking," notes a reviewer, explaining that standard sites may be inadequate for larger vehicles despite seeming appropriate based on length specifications alone.
Hookup capabilities: Water and electrical specifications vary between parks. "The RV park has a hookup area and a dry camping area. The hookups are full of large rigs, very close one with another, in a parking lot style. The dry camp provides much more space, but only relatively small RVs," explains Ignasi M., highlighting the trade-offs between hookup availability and site spaciousness at Dockweiler Beach.
