Malibu camping typically ranges in elevation from sea level along the beaches to around 2,000 feet in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Mediterranean climate brings mild winters and warm, dry summers with average temperatures between 50-85°F. Campers should know many sites require reservation windows of up to six months in advance, especially for summer weekend spots at oceanfront campgrounds.
What to do
Beach exploration: 10-minute walk from most sites at Leo Carrillo State Park Campground gives access to natural features. "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," notes Alfred in a review.
Hiking the Backbone Trail: This recently completed trail extends through the Santa Monica Mountains and ends at Point Mugu State Park. "The backbone trail ends at this park, and was finally completed in spring 2016 - I strongly recommend hiking part of it, if you stay at Point Mugu," suggests Les R.
Archery practice: $5 Saturday sessions available at Tapo Canyon Park. "The archery range is one of the best in California. There is a members area and the original range is open to the public on Saturdays from 9-1, with a nominal $5 fee," mentions robherr.
What campers like
Canyon shade: Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers relief from summer heat. "Campground is beautiful!! Spacious campsites with fire pits, and clean bathrooms (bring your own hand soap). Be aware of the limited hours for entering with a vehicle (8am-10pm)," says Lizzie C.
Ocean views from RV spots: The elevated position of Malibu Beach RV Park provides panoramic vistas. "Every spot has a great view of the Pacific Ocean from high upon a cliff! General store is well stocked and there's a park to lounge or play games on the cliffs edge!" states Tim Z.
Wildlife sightings: Morning dolphin viewing is common at some beach sites. "The sound of the surf lulled us to sleep and we woke up to dolphins playing a few yards from shore," shares Kat P. about her experience at Point Mugu State Park.
What you should know
Shower token systems: Many campgrounds use coin-operated showers. At Leo Carrillo, "the token system($2 for 2 minutes) takes some getting used to," according to Alfred. Other campers note similar systems at multiple Malibu area campgrounds.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely by campground location. At Tapo Canyon Park, "there is no Wi-Fi here and as best we could tell, no cellular signal for any provider," reports Bower.
Wildlife precautions: Store food properly to avoid unwanted visitors. "Also spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly," notes Alfred about Leo Carrillo. At Tapo Canyon, "be careful at night. Mountain lions were spotted while there," warns April Y.
Tips for camping with families
Bring a wagon for beach supplies: When camping near beaches, prepare for transport needs. "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," suggests Alfred about Leo Carrillo State Park.
Playground access: Thornhill Broome Beach at Point Mugu State Park offers kid-friendly areas. "Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. There are meadows down the trail on either side of the campground," states Jeremy F.
Movie location exploration: Malibu Creek State Park contains filming sites from popular shows. "The state park is a former movie set and 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," explains Ryan W.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Some RV campgrounds have height limitations for access. At Malibu Beach RV Park, a reviewer notes, "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" meaning vehicles must be under 8 feet tall to access certain areas.
Noise considerations: Dockweiler Beach RV Park offers oceanfront camping with airport proximity. "We had a dry campsite a bit further from the airport, so the plane noise was much less," recommends PRINCE C. who camped there as his first stop on a 5000 KM adventure.
Boondocking preparation: Many sites lack full hookups. At Sycamore campground in Point Mugu State Park, "there are no hookups so this is boondocking at its best," explains Theo A., advising self-contained operation.
