Malibu Beach RV Park offers tent camping on the upper level with Pacific Coast Highway beach access. The tent camping area provides ocean views from an elevated position while the RV section offers full hookup sites. Tent sites lack electrical hookups but wheelbarrows are available for gear transport from the parking area to campsites. The security-coded bathrooms include flush toilets and showers for all campers, with leashed pets welcome throughout the property.
What to do
Hiking near Malibu Creek State Park: The park features numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels just minutes from north LA. "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. It was easy to imagine you weren't anywhere close to the city," notes Ryan W. about Malibu Creek State Park Campground.
Tide pool exploration: Leo Carrillo State Park offers excellent marine wildlife viewing opportunities along its shoreline. According to Alfred, "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." Canyon Campground provides convenient access to these natural features.
Beach activities: Multiple beaches are accessible from campgrounds in the area. Jaclyn L. notes that Malibu Creek State Park is a "great spot for beach day use," while Tim J. mentions that at Leo Carrillo, "the hike and bike area was rather quiet" making it good for active beach-goers seeking less crowded spaces.
What campers like
Ocean views: Many campgrounds in the area feature views of the Pacific. At Malibu Beach RV Park, Tim Z. comments on the location, stating "Every spot has a great view of the Pacific Ocean from high upon a cliff! General store is well stocked and there's a park to lounge or play games on the cliffs edge!"
Wildlife sightings: Campers frequently mention wildlife encounters as a highlight. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear... I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek," shares Ryan W. about Malibu Creek State Park.
Camping directly on sand: Thornhill Broome Beach offers a rare opportunity to camp right on the beach. Sam H. explains, "We've stayed up at Thornhill Broome lots of time in our campervan and love it. Apart from that you have your own BBQ pit, table/bench and part of the beach all to yourself. If you're lucky you'll see pods of dolphins swimming just out from the shore, actually more often than not."
What you should know
Limited park entry hours: Some parks restrict vehicle entry to specific times. Lizzie C. notes about Malibu Creek State Park, "Be aware of the limited hours for entering with a vehicle (8am-10pm)."
Fire restrictions: Fire rules vary significantly between campgrounds. At Thornhill Broome, Sam H. mentions, "The host sells firewood for $7 a bundle," while at Malibu Beach RV Park, Kate reports, "Woodfires are not allowed but propane fires are."
Weather considerations: Seasonal variations affect camping comfort significantly. Chanel C. warns about Malibu Creek State Park, "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... There isn't much shade on the actual campgrounds, but a few sites do have partial shade."
Cell service limitations: Signal strength varies by location. Tapo Canyon receives minimal coverage as April Y. explains, "DO NOT expect cell service. I could only work from this spot by placing my mobile HomeFi router on top of the camper. Our Verizon phones were paper weights."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near El Nido provide play areas for children. At Tapo Canyon Park, Bri B. shares, "The campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground," making it ideal for families with children and pets.
Beachfront activities: Families appreciate safe beach access for children. Jean notes about Malibu Creek, "My husband, teenage son, grown son and his girlfriend, and I stayed here over Halloween. Between hiking and biking, we were busy for the time we were there."
Gear transportation: Some sites require special planning for equipment. At Malibu Beach RV Park, Kate notes, "You have to park and carry your things to your campsite. Luckily, they have wheelbarrows to make that easier."
Wildlife awareness: Keep children and pets informed about local wildlife. April Y. cautions about Tapo Canyon Park, "Pet friendly but be careful at night. Mountain lions were spotted while there."
Tips from RVers
Height restrictions: Some areas have vehicle size limitations. For Leo Carrillo access, martins A. warns, "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!"
Hookup availability: Point Mugu Recreation Facility provides full hookups but requires military affiliation. Jennifer D. describes it as "very basic with just hookups but the view and beach were beautiful!"
Site spacing: RV sites vary in proximity to neighbors. At Point Mugu State Park, Rick L. notes it's a "Nice campground for a big state park. Good for Hiks and bikes. Some interesting movie TV sets in the area. Decent cell coverage. Best for tents, tight for RVs."
Dump station access: Consider waste disposal needs when booking. Steve L. explains about Leo Carrillo, "There aren't sewer or water hook ups, electrical only, but for me that's perfectly fine for a long weekend or short week with 2 kids and 2 adults. They do have 3 dump stations, too, so that made it nice!"
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