Dispersed camping near Lomita, California requires camping in self-contained vehicles at most sites. The coastal Mediterranean climate keeps temperatures moderate year-round, with average summer highs around 78°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 50°F. Urban-adjacent dispersed camping in this region typically means parking areas rather than natural settings, with limited facilities and specific restrictions about vehicle types.
What to do
Morning hikes nearby: At Heaton Flats, campers can access the popular trail to Bridge to Nowhere. One visitor notes, "It could be an okay rest area at the beginning/end of the hike to Bridge to Nowhere."
Night sky viewing: The elevated position of Angeles Crest Overlook to LA offers stargazing opportunities above the city lights. A camper shared, "The view is gorgeous in the morning sunrise!" Some visitors stay specifically for the dramatic day-to-night transition.
Dog exercise: Near Hare School Park, there are designated dog-friendly areas. According to one reviewer, "There's a dog park kind of area with a big field they can run around and just clean up after them."
What campers like
Urban convenience: Staying at roadside parking areas provides quick access to urban amenities. One camper at Angeles Crest Overlook noted it's "Close to town so that is a plus."
Privacy options: Some pull-offs along Angeles Crest Highway offer more seclusion than others. A reviewer mentioned, "There is a pull off before this that was very quiet near a trail and nobody bothered us."
Flexibility for last-minute plans: These areas serve well as unplanned stops. A camper described Angeles Crest as a "Perfect last minute late night hold over stop."
What you should know
Noise levels vary: Angeles Crest Overlook experiences regular traffic throughout the evening. A reviewer reported, "Several others were also sleeping in their vehicles along the road and in the parking lots, so you won't be alone."
Limited facilities: None of these sites offer traditional campground amenities. At Hare School Park, "There's no public bathrooms, but there are trash cans so clean up after yourself please."
Forest camping regulations change: Angeles National Forest camping rules update frequently based on conditions. Les R. advises, "Camping outside established campgrounds within the Angeles National Forest is sometimes prohibited, you have to be on top of reading recently published orders."
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Some dispersed areas experience late-night activity. One camper warned about Angeles Crest, "Kids do tend to party up here and drive about 100 miles an hour up and down the road all hours of the night."
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Angeles Crest, one visitor reported, "Unfortunately I didn't have any service (Visible/Verizon), so that was a little scary."
Pet-friendly trails: For families with dogs, certain areas offer hiking opportunities. Nicole D. shared about a trail near Angeles Crest: "My dogs really enjoyed the hike."
Tips from RVers
Overnight parking etiquette: At Hare School Park, RVers can stay without issues if they follow basic courtesy rules. One RVer confirmed, "You can overnight park here with your RV without problems."
Size limitations: Most dispersed parking areas accommodate smaller RVs better than large ones. Andrew S. noted about Angeles Crest Overlook, "This is literally just a roadside pull-off. Only really useful in a pinch."
Self-contained requirement: No hookups or facilities exist at these locations. A 25-foot RV owner staying at Hare School Park advised, "There's no public bathrooms," highlighting the need to be fully self-contained.
