Best Campgrounds near Gardena, CA

Camping options near Gardena, California include several coastal sites that work well for weekend trips. Point Mugu State Park has hiking trails and beach access, with basic restrooms and picnic tables for day use or overnight stays. If you head down the coast, Doheny State Beach Campground puts you right on the Pacific with good spots for surfing and swimming. The campground has showers and restrooms, though you'll need to watch out for raccoons and seagulls that might raid your campsite if food isn't stored properly. Both parks fill up quickly in summer, so you'll want to make reservations well ahead of time. Fire rules change throughout the year depending on conditions, so check before bringing firewood. These campgrounds limit stays to about two weeks, and booking windows typically open six months before your arrival date. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather and fewer crowds. If you need hookups for an RV, Dockweiler Beach RV Park isn't far away and sits right on the beach with full hookup sites. The proximity of these campgrounds to Gardena makes them good choices for both quick trips and longer stays.

Best Camping Sites Near Gardena, California (130)

    1. Dockweiler Beach RV Park

    15 Reviews
    El Segundo, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (310) 322-4951

    $55 - $80 / night

    "The most fantastic thing about this RV spot is the location - directly facing a large, beautiful, clean beach with built in fire rings, a very long bike bath and bike rental kiosk."

    "One of the only in Southern California/Los Angeles area where you can have a fire on the beach."

    2. Golden Shore RV Resort

    13 Reviews
    Signal Hill, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (562) 435-4646

    $80 - $85 / night

    "However, you do get some road noise if you stay on the road side"

    "Clean, comfortable sites near Long Beach Marina and downtown. Good biking, walking lanes. Pool & jacuzzi are nice."

    3. Seabreeze At Seal Beach

    9 Reviews
    Seal Beach, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (562) 626-7504

    "Awesome park, clean, level paved pads with a parking space..nice amenities, small NEX nearby. Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too"

    "Very clean, cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore. Wetlands on the base and birds galore."

    4. Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground

    19 Reviews
    Huntington Beach, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 846-3460

    $60 - $70 / night

    "Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches."

    "Super convenient beach front parking with good restrooms and outdoor showers as well as a beach path perfect for walking, biking, rollerblading, etc."

    5. Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 880-0367

    $45 - $225 / night

    "It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."

    "The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."

    6. Malibu Beach RV Park

    28 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 622-6052

    $80 - $300 / night

    "I absolutely love this campground, it’s perfectly situated in between the Malibu pier area (to your left) Dume, Zuma, and more beaches (to the right), + a lovely small beach across the street… oh let’s"

    "This is a great little campground just north of Malibu, California, and right off of the 101. So yes, the freeway is RIGHT. THERE."

    7. Anaheim Harbor RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Anaheim, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 535-6495

    $55 - $70 / night

    "Nice bathrooms and hot showers with laundry on location. Good amount of space between sites. Very short drive or 20ish minute walk to Disneyland. Extremely helpful and kind staff."

    "Park is within walking to the Disneyland park.

    The tent sites are very small with a picnic table and AstroTurf."

    8. Hollywood RV Park

    15 Reviews
    San Fernando, CA
    25 miles
    Website

    "This location is conveniently situated near the heart of Los Angeles, making it an ideal spot for those looking to explore the city’s many attractions."

    "Nice campground a little bit outside of Hollywood but with a very helpful camp host"

    9. Bonelli Bluffs

    37 Reviews
    South El Monte, CA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 599-8355

    $76 - $88 / night

    "⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Our experience at Bonelli Bluffs Campground was mostly positive, but there were a couple of aspects that could be improved."

    "The views around the outskirts of B loop are just lovely, the staff has been so friendly and helpful (we’re RV newbies and had a ton of questions) the store was stocked with all of the little things we"

    10. Waterfront RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Huntington Beach, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 536-8316

    "Booking a site here at Waterfront, provided us a excellent homebase that was close to the water. In all, you are about a 2 minute walk to the sand, and 4 minutes to the oceanfront. "

    "Your not on the beach but literally on the other side of pacific coast highway you are there."

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Showing results 1-10 of 130 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Gardena, CA

957 Reviews of 130 Gardena Campgrounds



Guide to Gardena

Camping near Gardena, California, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful campgrounds just a short drive away, you can enjoy nature while still being close to the city.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds, like San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach, are just a short walk from the beach. "Nice campground. 1.5 miles from the ocean. Sites are quite large with bushes/trees between sites," says a happy camper.
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Malibu Creek State Park Campground. One visitor noted, "Nice, small campground with hiking trails easily accessible."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Point Mugu State Park, you can spot various wildlife. A reviewer mentioned, "This campsite lies within the state park Point Mugu. There are great hikes just off the campsite with amazing views."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at places like Bonelli Bluffs. One review states, "Possibly the cleanest public bathroom I've ever seen."
  • Privacy Between Sites: Many enjoy the spaciousness at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach. A visitor shared, "The campground is set up as a bunch of loops with a large common area between the rear of every campsite."
  • Beautiful Views: Campers rave about the stunning scenery at Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park. One camper said, "Staying at Thornhill Broome Beach Campground was an absolute dream."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Thornhill Broome Beach, have minimal facilities. A reviewer noted, "No water, no dump station, only portable bathrooms on site."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for some noise, especially at Doheny State Beach Campground. One camper mentioned, "There is a ton of road noise coming off of the highway even late at night."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, particularly on weekends. A visitor at Bonelli Bluffs said, "Crowded on weekends, much less during the week."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach, which offers plenty of space for kids to play. A family shared, "Nice short walk to the beach where dogs are welcome."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Bring along snacks to keep everyone happy. One camper at Malibu Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are nicely spaced out."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities, like hiking or beach games. A reviewer at Point Mugu State Park said, "Great location for beach, biking, and hiking."

Tips from RVers:

For those looking for the Best Camping near Gardena, CA, these campgrounds offer a variety of experiences, from beach access to hiking trails, making them perfect for a weekend getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gardena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gardena, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 130 campgrounds and RV parks near Gardena, CA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gardena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gardena, CA is Dockweiler Beach RV Park with a 4.1-star rating from 15 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gardena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Gardena, CA.

What parks are near Gardena, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Gardena, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.