RV parks near Gardena, California provide convenient access to both Los Angeles attractions and Orange County beaches. Located in the South Bay region at an elevation of 49 feet, Gardena's mild Mediterranean climate makes year-round camping possible with winter lows rarely dropping below 45°F. Most nearby RV destinations require reservations 3-6 months in advance during peak summer seasons.
What to do
Beach access across PCH: At Waterfront RV Park in Huntington Beach, visitors are "about a 2 minute walk to the sand, and 4 minutes to the oceanfront." As one camper noted, "Generally, I would say this is fairly quiet but do expect some road noise from the PCH. Friday/Saturday were the worst nights."
Kayaking opportunities: Seal Beach Military campground offers exceptional water recreation. "This one is to die for when it comes to kayaking," reports one visitor. The park borders a wildlife reserve that's "nice for walking the dogs" and features "wetlands on the base and birds galore."
Urban entertainment access: Hollywood RV Park provides a base for exploring Los Angeles entertainment options. "We took an uber. If you stay on the West side of the city it's okay (still 50/60 USD) for a single ride. But If you want to explore any of the nicer beaches like manhattan Beach I do suggest to take the campervan, park at one of the malls in that area and then take an uber from there."
What campers like
Security measures: Malibu Beach RV Park earns praise for safety. One camper shared: "I have been on a 3 month trip and stayed at 22 different campgrounds. Malibu RV Resort has the best views for the price, hands down." The park features "a great plan and it looks like they are achieving their goal!"
Themed environments: Hollywood RV Park offers a unique atmosphere. "Every street is themed with murals and art everywhere! The site size depends on where you are in the park." Another reviewer mentioned, "Steve the owner is amazing and the team will take your rig on a forklift to your site and fully set you up. It feels like a neighborhood instead of a busy RV park."
Citrus trees: Orangeland RV Park features orange trees throughout the property. "Not only that you can pick all the oranges you want!" one visitor noted. Another camper praised the "incredibly creak restrooms and showers" and mentioned "free citrus picking!" as a highlight.
What you should know
Military access restrictions: Seabreeze At Seal Beach requires military credentials. "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." The military-only facility is described as "cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore."
Seasonal availability: Some coastal parks operate seasonally. Huntington Beach RV Campground "opens back up in October due to the high traffic of summer visitors" and is "only open October through May since this lot is traditionally used for summer beach parking."
Tight spaces: Most RV parks in the region feature close quarters. At Anaheim Harbor RV Park, "the standard sites are essentially a large parking spot in a paved parking lot." Another camper advised, "Get a deluxe site if you can. The standard sites are essentially a large parking spot in a paved parking lot."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities and water play: Newport Dunes RV Resort provides numerous family options. "They have activities for the kids like arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course or you can rent paddle boards or watch a movie on the beach." Another camper shared, "We stay here every year. They have activities for the kids like arts and crafts, an inflatable obstacle course."
Pool facilities: Many parks offer swimming options. At Orangeland, visitors appreciate the "heated pool as well as a hot tub" and "a covered play area, helpful staff." The grounds are "very well kept and grocery stores within 10 min."
Budget considerations: For families watching costs, be aware of additional fees. Most parks charge extra per child beyond two people. Newport Dunes is described as "rather expensive though" while others note it's "not a cheap place to stay but it was perfect."
Tips from RVers
Parking assistance: Anaheim Harbor RV Park offers helpful staff for tight spaces. "The staff was very nice and the general store had extra rv supplies that were handy." Consider that "if your travel trailer is 21ft you MUST pay for a parking spot even if your total length is less than 40 ft."
Noise factors: Consider sound levels when choosing a location. At Hollywood RV Park, "It's quiet at night. Just the white noise hum of the city and crickets. Really surprised with how well we've slept here given the location." However, another visitor noted "the sports bar next door was pretty loud at night. And the loud music coming from the industrial building next door at 7am."
Local transportation options: Several parks offer Disney transportation. Orangeland provides "on-demand public transport for $6/person for all-day access" and is "walking distance to Big Ed and Honda Center." Meanwhile, Anaheim Harbor is "a mile each way" from Disney, making it "a super easy" walk.
