Tent and RV camping near Monterey Park, California offers access to a mix of urban amenities and outdoor experiences. The area sits at the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin with elevations ranging from 350 to 500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F while winter lows rarely drop below 45°F. Cell service remains strong at most campgrounds, with 4G/LTE coverage throughout the region.
What to do
Water activities at lake parks: At Bonelli Bluffs in San Dimas, campers can enjoy fishing and water recreation at the adjacent lake. "There is camping, horseback riding, fishing, trails, biking, hiking, picnics, you can use your jet skies in designated areas, swimming on the pool areas, kayaking," notes one visitor about the park amenities.
Urban exploration: Golden Shore RV Resort in Long Beach provides easy access to coastal attractions. "Great Long Beach location, a nice bike ride along the beach to Naples and the Queen Mary. Highly recommended," explains one camper about the accessibility to nearby points of interest.
Family entertainment: Disney parks are accessible from several campgrounds. At Orangeland RV Park, "Easy 15 min drive to Disney plus the ART bus picks up straight from the campground," according to a recent visitor. The park also features "A covered play area, helpful staff, heated pool as well as a hot tub."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Rancho Jurupa Park in Riverside maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "Large concrete pads, easy backing in and hooking up. Lots of grass, great place to camp in groups," shares one camper about the site layouts.
Location convenience: Many parks offer strategic positioning for both urban activities and nature. "This seems to be one of the best places to stay with an RV to visit LA, since driving and parking and RV in LA can be challenging and parking an RV in west LA is not allowed," notes a camper at Hollywood RV Park.
Fresh fruit: Orangeland RV Park offers a unique perk not found at most campgrounds. "Super friendly staff, super clean, 2 dog parks, offers really good wifi & cable. Can pick the oranges out of the tree," explains one visitor. Multiple reviews mention this distinctive feature: "Not only that you can pick all the oranges you want!"
What you should know
Security protocols: Many campgrounds implement strict security measures. "Security is very good and felt very safe, especially considering the location," notes a visitor at Golden Shore RV Resort. Gates typically close between 10:00-11:00 PM with security codes required for after-hours entry.
Noise considerations: Urban locations mean occasional noise disruptions. At Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon, "It's very very close to railroad tracks and at night the loud train kept waking us up," warns one camper. Similarly, at Hollywood RV Park, "the park is right next to the departure/arrival runway for Burbank."
Space limitations: Sites at urban campgrounds tend to be compact. "You stay here to do Disney...The standard sites are essentially a large parking spot in a paved parking lot," explains a camper about Anaheim Harbor RV Park. For more room, "get a deluxe site if you can...The deluxe feel more like an RV site with a picnic table and grass."
Tips for camping with families
Water park amenities: Rancho Jurupa Park offers built-in entertainment for children. "Splash pad, park, mini golf great amenities," reports one family. Another adds, "Water park and mini golf for kids. Showers and laundry convenient. Camping spots all have fire pit and spacious area for RVs and tents."
Beach access: Newport Dunes RV Resort provides water-based activities suitable for children. "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," shares one family camper.
Transportation planning: When staying with kids near attractions, consider local transit options. At Orangeland RV Park, families appreciate the "On-demand public transport for $6/person for all-day access" to nearby attractions, eliminating parking hassles and costs.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Bonelli Bluffs, experienced RVers recommend specific locations: "Not every site has a fire pit. Definitely coming back again. The C9 RV spot was very spacious, I also liked the A & B area." Site preferences vary significantly between campgrounds.
Extended stay options: Some campgrounds accommodate longer visits. "Good Spots with enough Space for your RV. Ist unser trees so it stays comfty Even when ist hot," shares an RVer about Hollywood RV Park, which has many long-term residents. At Bonelli Bluffs, "you can stay for 20 days and then you have to leave for 60 days."
Equipment requirements: Campground hookups sometimes require special equipment. At Anaheim Harbor RV Park, "You must have a 25ft sewage hose" for some sites. Always verify the exact power available, as amperage varies between parks despite advertising full hookups.
