Urban camping options around Palos Verdes Peninsula generally require advance planning due to limited availability. The coastal region offers several RV-focused sites with ocean proximity, though tent campers need to travel further to find suitable accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region experience significant ambient noise from nearby roads, aircraft, or urban activities, with noise levels decreasing in canyon locations or during weekday stays.
What to do
Beach exploration at low tide: Malibu Leo Carrillo State Park Campground offers excellent tide pool access. "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 a camper who visited in October.
Bike along coastal paths: Waterfront RV Park in Huntington Beach provides direct access to extensive coastal bike trails. A reviewer explains, "We rode bikes along the bike path through Huntington, and went for daily walks as well. In all, you are about a 2 minute walk to the sand, and 4 minutes to the oceanfront."
Water activities in protected bays: Newport Dunes RV Resort offers family-friendly water recreation. "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," writes one regular visitor who returns annually.
What campers like
Convenient urban proximity: Golden Shore RV Resort offers city access with RV comfort. "Very well maintained campground. The spots are groomed and clean when you come in. Great Long Beach location, a nice bike ride along the beach to Naples and the Queen Mary," explains a reviewer who found the location ideal for exploring the area.
Canyon settings with shade: When temperatures rise, Malibu Creek State Park Campground provides natural cooling. "We stayed in site 59 which had a really nice shade tree and great views of a meadow and the cliffs out the back of the site. The sites are fairly open and close to each other, so be prepared to hear everything," notes a December visitor.
Direct beach access: Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground positions RVs near the shore. As one camper observed, "Beachfront camping in the heart of southern California. Concrete/asphalt sites with water electric and dump station. Adjacent to PCH so road noise but steps away from great sand beaches."
What you should know
Aircraft noise impacts: Dockweiler Beach RV Park experiences regular air traffic. "We loved this spot next to the beach. We got used to the planes, but they are certainly jarring at first," mentions a camper who stayed despite the noise. Another reviewer suggests, "Stayed in the dry-camping area. #128. 19-20 foot max length. Right on the beach. Airplanes landing were noticeable, but the sound just faded into the background after a while."
Limited privacy between sites: Most coastal camping sites offer minimal separation between neighbors. At Newport Dunes, a reviewer cautions, "I hope you like cozy. Neighbor in campsite next to us yapped his belligerent drunken mouth all weekend."
Security considerations: Some campgrounds experience urban challenges. A reviewer at Waterfront RV Park warns, "Be careful and aware when staying here. My husband and I had our mountain bikes stolen when sleeping. When we asked for camera footage the owners of the campground claimed the cameras were broken and they couldn't share the footage."
Tips for camping with families
Bring beach gear transport: At Leo Carrillo, walking distance requires planning. "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," recommends a family who visited with children.
Consider midweek stays for quieter experience: Weekends bring crowds to Malibu Beach RV Park. A visitor noted, "Only half the dry sites were used even on the weekend in November," suggesting that off-peak timing offers a more relaxed experience.
Wildlife awareness: Properly secure food at all sites. "Also spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly," warns a Leo Carrillo camper. Another reviewer mentioned, "Squirrels are very aggressive and will eat your food if left unattended."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Dockweiler Beach RV Park, different sections offer varying experiences. "Review of dry campervan section of park only, which seemed considerably more quiet and less chaotic than the big RV area... Best sites are 125-128," advises a visitor who found the quieter section preferable.
Limited height clearance in some areas: Access restrictions can affect larger vehicles. One camper at Leo Carrillo warns, "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" (Attention to access the sea, vehicles must be less than 8 feet tall).
Utility outages can occur: Waterfront RV Park has experienced service interruptions. A reviewer reported, "Since my arrival 3 days ago, two of those days we have been without water until 5:00pm... This morning we were notified the electricity would be shut down from 10:00pm to 5:00am due to maintenance."
