Los Angeles County spans over 4,000 square miles with elevations ranging from sea level to 10,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates within a 2-hour drive radius. Campgrounds near Los Angeles typically maintain temperatures 10-15°F cooler than downtown during summer months, with coastal sites experiencing morning fog that burns off by midday.
What to do
Tide pool exploration: 10-minute walk from campsites at Leo Carrillo State Park Campground. "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."
Trail biking: Multiple routes accessible directly from camp at Malibu Creek State Park Campground. "The state park 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."
Urban/beach hybrid: Bike paths extending miles along coastline within short walk of sites. "There's also a bike path that goes for miles both north or south - great for an early workout. Restrooms are clean and have showers." The coastal trails connect multiple beaches, letting you bike between areas without needing to drive.
What campers like
Beach-front RV spots with ocean views: Campers appreciate sites that place them directly on Pacific Coast beaches. "Beach front sites, expected noise from road and airport but you can still hear the ocean, super lively/loud beach on weekend, very chill weekdays, right off a very nice coastal 20+ mile walking/biking path."
Canyon shade trees for summer relief: Millard Trail Campground offers natural cooling. "Shade is plentiful, and benches and bear boxes available for each of the 6 sites. Few bugs around, so no need to hose yourself down with repellent." This matters during hot LA summers when temperatures can reach 90-100°F.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area hosts diverse animal populations. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear. On a hike right out of the park a few hundred yards, I came across a pair of bobcats—mom and cub—making their way to a running creek."
What you should know
Airplane noise affects some coastal sites: Dockweiler Beach RV Park sits under LAX flight paths. "We loved this spot next to the beach. We got used to the planes, but they are certainly jarring at first." Many campers find the ocean sounds help offset aircraft noise.
Vehicle break-ins can occur at trailhead parking: Protect valuables when camping near hiking areas. "Make sure to leave your car doors unlocked, and nothing of value inside. You'd rather have someone root through your car and walk away empty handed than have a window broken and items stolen."
Urban camping means less privacy: Sites close to LA have more foot traffic. "This campground is not a campground if you want to get away from people because there is a lot of people passing by looking at you. You can't really be isolated or have privacy even though it is a campground." Weekdays offer significantly more solitude than weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Pack a wagon for beach equipment transport: When camping near beaches, consider distance to shore. "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff." This particularly helps with small children who tire quickly carrying their own items.
Look for sites with educational opportunities: Hollywood RV Park offers cultural experiences. "The owner is quite a character and told me that they even have an entertainment space where they offer musical performances, plays, etc. by local artists." Many campgrounds near LA incorporate local history elements.
Select inner sites for group camping: Some campgrounds have strategic layout advantages. "The inner circle of sites abuts the bathrooms and is better for groups. The outer rings on three sides have nice views, but some sites on the south side are shorter and abut a fence."
Tips from RVers
Height restrictions apply to some beach access roads: "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" Some coastal access roads have low bridges or tunnels that prevent taller RVs from reaching beachfront camping.
Opt for dry camping areas when seeking space: Malibu Beach RV Park offers different experience zones. "Review of dry campervan section of park only, which seemed considerably more quiet and less chaotic than the big RV area... Amazing beach front sites." Dry camping areas typically allow more space between sites.
RV parking assistance may be required: Some urban RV parks have specialized systems for tight spaces. "This isn't a self-park park...the spaces are so close together that they use a cart to park you. On the upside, the bathrooms and showers were clean and plentiful."
