Best Campgrounds near Los Alamitos, CA

Camping near Los Alamitos, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a beachside retreat or a mountain escape, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

• Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and surf at Thornhill Broome Beach — Point Mugu State Park. Campers love the beachfront spots, with one reviewer saying, "Really a special spot. Not crowded and a place you can rarely camp beachfront in Southern California."
• Hiking and Biking: Explore trails at Sycamore Canyon Campground — Point Mugu State Park. A visitor noted, "Great location. Less than 1/2 mile to the beach, hiking and MTB/gravel trails accessible from the campground."
• Fishing and Water Sports: Head to Lake Perris State Recreational Area Campground for fishing and boating. One camper shared, "Great overall experience, campgrounds are general and basic. A little more irrigation for the plants and trees might not hurt to green up a little dried."

What campers like:

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Dogwood Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The place is clean and quiet. Our camp site was very spacious."
• Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at San Mateo Campground — San Onofre State Beach. One visitor said, "There are mature trees between every campsite that provide privacy between sites."
• Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground hosts. At Bonelli Bluffs, a camper noted, "Personnel very kind and friendly."

What you should know:

• Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Thornhill Broome Beach, have minimal facilities. A camper pointed out, "No water, no dump station, only portable bathrooms on site from what we can see."
• Noise Levels: Be prepared for noise at places like Doheny State Beach Campground. One camper mentioned, "Music way too loud... I'm just not going there."
• Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Lake Perris State Recreational Area said, "The campground itself is pretty nice... but the lack of rangers made it hard to enjoy."

Tips for camping with families:

• Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like San Mateo Campground. A family camper noted, "The campground is setup as a bunch of loops with a large common area between the rear of every campsite."
• Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned, especially at places like Moro Campground — Crystal Cove State Park. One camper said, "The campground was perfectly situated just off the PCH on a scenic piece of beach."
• Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand is essential, especially if you're at a campground without a market. A camper at Bonelli Bluffs mentioned, "Park clean and well maintained, but no market."

Tips from RVers:

• Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site dimensions, especially at Sycamore Canyon Campground. A reviewer said, "The spaces are pretty small, so they are not meant for large RVs."
• Bring Your Own Wi-Fi: Many campgrounds have spotty cell service. A visitor at Point Mugu State Park noted, "No T-Mobile wifi... I was able to stream music, text and some internet."
• Use Dump Stations Wisely: Be aware of dump station availability, as some campgrounds may have limited access. A camper at Lake Perris State Recreational Area mentioned, "Dump site was out of order... but it was fixed the following day."

Camping near Los Alamitos, California, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.