Leo Carrillo State Park offers coastal camping options 30 minutes from Santa Rosa Valley, California. The campground sits in a canyon setting with trails connecting to a beach where visitors can explore tide pools and sea caves. Sites feature fire pits and picnic tables, with token-operated showers available ($2 for 2 minutes). The park maintains family-friendly facilities while providing access to natural Southern California coastal ecosystems.
What to do
Beach exploration at Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground: The park provides beach access about a 10-minute walk from most campsites. "The best part about this campground is definitely the beach access... and you can explore some amazing tide pools and caves once you get there. The kids loved searching for hermit crabs and sea anemones," reports Alfred.
Hiking trails at Malibu Creek State Park Campground: Access numerous trails directly from the campground. "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," notes Ryan W.
Water activities at Lake Casitas: Though swimming in the lake isn't permitted, the recreation area offers fishing, boating and a water park. "The most fun is the water park. You can take a break from the heat and tube down the lazy river. Also there is a disk golf course," shares Shannon R.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple parks in the region provide wildlife observation. At Malibu Creek State Park, "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 campers like
Secluded sites with natural surroundings at Kenney Grove Park: Campers appreciate this hidden gem surrounded by citrus groves. "It's one of those rare places where the light pollution is truly minimal and you can really see the stars at night. A great place to see meteor showers or simply just get away from the bustle of stuff for a while," notes Samantha W.
Proximity to towns and amenities: Several campgrounds offer convenient access to nearby towns. At Carpinteria State Beach, "You can walk into town and eat at the amazing restaurants quaint Carpenteria has to offer. Or you can listen to the waves roll in from your campground as you cook something up over the camp fire," shares Megan B.
Clean facilities at reasonable prices: Many campgrounds maintain quality facilities. At Kenney Grove Park, a visitor noted, "I believe it was $23 for a dry camping spot, plus another $2/night for having my dog along. It was a lovely, quiet park that I was surprised to find tucked away in Fillmore... Shower houses were lovely for a vanlifer like me; bring your quarters as they are coin operated. Nice clean bathrooms with running water."
Unique camping experiences at Ventura Ranch KOA: Beyond standard campsites, this location offers distinctive options. "We stayed the 1st in a large teepee. It had beds for a total of six people. It was hot in the daytime, and got really cold at night, so we switched to a Glamping tent. The Glamping tent was nice! It had a very comfortable queen bed, 2 lamps, a fan, a heater, a mini fridge and a microwave," describes Christina S.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer heat affects some inland campgrounds. At Malibu Creek State Park, "I came here during the summer and it was extremely HOT. Typically during the summer season, I like to find campgrounds that have a lot of lush trees so we can be under the canopies and stay cool, but Malibu Creek State Park is so convenient to LA. There isn't much shade on the actual campgrounds, but a few sites do have partial shade."
Reservation requirements at Point Mugu Recreation Facility: The military recreation facility requires military affiliation. "The Point Mugu NAS campground is part of the military MWR program, therefore you need to be active duty or retired from one of the uniformed services, or be sponsored by someone who is," explains Janet R.
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds have resident wildlife that may interact with campers. At Leo Carrillo, one camper "spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly." Ventura Ranch KOA has "extremely outdoor peacocks. They are beautiful, but screech VERY loudly. They poop everywhere, even on top of our trailer," warns Belinda C.
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. Kenney Grove Park was described as "a lovely, quiet park" by one visitor, while Castaic Lake received this note: "Honestly, I'm so miffed at this no fun allowed rent begging garbage, I'm looking for a motel, because all there is to do here is sit in a dirt patch in 100 degree heat with no shade, looking at a lake you can't touch."
Tips for camping with families
Recreational facilities for children: Many campgrounds offer dedicated kid-friendly features. Ventura Ranch KOA has "a very large jumping pillow for kiddos... They also have a zip line, but it was damaged in the large fire last year, and is being fixed currently. There is a stream that runs thru the property, it was fun to explore. They have a rock climbing wall, that is brought out on holiday weekends," Christina S. explains.
Playground access at Lake Casitas Recreation Area: The recreation area offers multiple family-friendly amenities. "The place has showers, but depending on your site, one might end up very far to walk. Restrooms were scarce, but in between they put potable toilets; not fun when it's nearly 100 degrees. The place is great if you enjoy meeting new people, hanging around the bonfire, and I heard it's good fishing," shares Yenyfer B.
Beach gear considerations: When camping near beaches, plan for transport of equipment. At Leo Carrillo State Park, "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," advises Alfred.
Weather preparation: Temperature variations can be significant. At Ventura Ranch KOA, a visitor noted that the teepee "was hot in the daytime, and got really cold at night" leading them to switch to a glamping tent with climate control options.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area: RV campers should research site layouts carefully. "Our campsite & the bathrooms were clean & well maintained. However the location of tent camping v RV camping is awful. We are tent campers and had a nice spot with a beautiful lake view BUT the RV site was directly in front of the lake between our tent & the lake!" reports Laura S.
Hookup limitations: Various parks offer different levels of service. At Oak Park, "There are two camping lots here, the Upper and the Lower campgrounds. Both seem to be more geared for RV use, the Upper lot is almost completely asphalt and pretty exposed to the sun. I wasn't a fan. The Lower lot however has ample shade and there's enough room at some sites to comfortably put a tent."
Power management awareness: During peak seasons, electrical systems may be strained. At Ventura Beach RV Resort, "There were so many people running their ac that my surge protector kept shutting off on 'low current' below 104 voltes," warns Ronald R.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional equipment for comfortable positioning. At Ventura Ranch KOA, a visitor noted "The only thing was the unlevel ground we were on. Our RV was a simple 30' rental without any leveling."
