Best Campgrounds near Torrance, CA

The coastal region near Torrance, California provides multiple established campgrounds rather than dispersed camping options. Beachfront sites like Dockweiler Beach RV Park and Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground offer ocean proximity within a short drive from Torrance. Several campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, including Malibu Creek State Park Campground approximately 30 miles northwest and Leo Carrillo State Park about 40 miles up the coast. These mixed-use campgrounds typically feature fire rings, picnic tables, and basic amenities while providing access to Southern California beaches, hiking trails, and urban attractions.

Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the area, particularly during summer months when beach locations fill quickly. Many sites can be booked through the California State Parks reservation system up to six months in advance. The region experiences mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, making year-round camping possible at most locations. Full hookup RV sites with electric, water and sewer connections are available at several locations including Golden Shore RV Resort in Long Beach and Anaheim Harbor RV Park, though these tend to be more developed and less rustic than traditional campgrounds. As one visitor to Bolsa Chica noted, "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."

Campers consistently highlight beach access and ocean views as primary advantages of the area's campgrounds. While most sites offer relatively easy access from major highways, they also experience higher levels of ambient noise from traffic and, in some cases, airplane flight paths. A reviewer of Dockweiler Beach RV Park mentioned, "The most fantastic thing about this RV spot is the location - directly facing a large, beautiful, clean beach with built in fire rings, a very long bike bath and bike rental kiosk." Many campgrounds provide shower facilities, though some require tokens or quarters. Proximity to urban amenities remains a significant advantage, with several campgrounds located within walking or short driving distance of restaurants, shops, and attractions. Sites tend to be closer together than more remote camping areas, making them less ideal for those seeking solitude.

Best Camping Sites Near Torrance, California (118)

    1. Dockweiler Beach RV Park

    20 Reviews
    El Segundo, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (310) 322-4951

    $55 - $80 / night

    "The most fantastic thing about this RV spot is the location - directly facing a large, beautiful, clean beach with built in fire rings, a very long bike bath and bike rental kiosk."

    "One of the only in Southern California/Los Angeles area where you can have a fire on the beach."

    2. Golden Shore RV Resort

    13 Reviews
    Signal Hill, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (562) 435-4646

    $80 - $85 / night

    "However, you do get some road noise if you stay on the road side"

    "Clean, comfortable sites near Long Beach Marina and downtown. Good biking, walking lanes. Pool & jacuzzi are nice."

    3. Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground

    19 Reviews
    Huntington Beach, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 846-3460

    $60 - $70 / night

    "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."

    "Super convenient beach front parking with good restrooms and outdoor showers as well as a beach path perfect for walking, biking, rollerblading, etc."

    4. Seabreeze At Seal Beach

    9 Reviews
    Seal Beach, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (562) 626-7504

    "Awesome park, clean, level paved pads with a parking space..nice amenities, small NEX nearby. Wildlife reserve adjacent to the park made it nice for walking the dogs, too"

    "Very clean, cement slab, walking paths well lit and near to many areas to explore. Wetlands on the base and birds galore."

    5. Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (818) 880-0367

    $45 - $225 / night

    "It is prime location for some great hiking and at night it is super quiet. There are restrooms and showers as well."

    "The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, the camp host super friendly and helpful, the bathrooms well positioned and clean, and the sites had shade and everything we needed."

    6. Malibu Beach RV Park

    29 Reviews
    El Nido, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 622-6052

    $80 - $300 / night

    "I absolutely love this campground, it’s perfectly situated in between the Malibu pier area (to your left) Dume, Zuma, and more beaches (to the right), + a lovely small beach across the street… oh let’s"

    "This is a great little campground just north of Malibu, California, and right off of the 101. So yes, the freeway is RIGHT. THERE."

    7. Dockweiler

    1 Review
    Marina del Rey, CA
    9 miles

    "There are almost always other RVs/campers so you a rarely alone:) there are fire pits on the beach (California is otherwise very strict about fires) that are free to use."

    8. Waterfront RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Huntington Beach, CA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 536-8316

    "Booking a site here at Waterfront, provided us a excellent homebase that was close to the water. In all, you are about a 2 minute walk to the sand, and 4 minutes to the oceanfront. "

    "Your not on the beach but literally on the other side of pacific coast highway you are there."

    9. Canyon Campground — Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lake Sherwood, CA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (805) 488-1827

    $45 - $60 / night

    "It was a quick drive up the coast and onto this hidden gem. You get access to a private beach with gorgeous California hill views of PCH behind you. Perfect place for families or even RVs."

    "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool."

    10. Anaheim Harbor RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Anaheim, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (714) 535-6495

    $55 - $70 / night

    "Nice bathrooms and hot showers with laundry on location. Good amount of space between sites. Very short drive or 20ish minute walk to Disneyland. Extremely helpful and kind staff."

    "Park is within walking to the Disneyland park.

    The tent sites are very small with a picnic table and AstroTurf."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 118 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Torrance, CA

919 Reviews of 118 Torrance Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Bonelli Bluffs

    Wish we could stay longer this trip

    We chose Bonelli for our shakedown trip in our new trailer (first time RVers). SO quiet. Numerous residents, but spots are mostly keep up nicely. Our rental spot has 3 trees, a picnic table, a firepit, level parking(!) and full hookups. We will be back for sure, especially since it's less than an hour from home.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Awesome Mountain View’s and spacious sites!

    Every friendly people. Nice open sites that are good for people who just want to be isolated. Showers and bathrooms available. No charging unless you can find an open one in the park. Site 27 is a very good site.

  • Julia G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Hare School Park

    Overnight parking ✅

    You can overnight park here with your RV without problems.

  • Lianne A.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Monte Cristo Campground

    Nice Campground but Fire Restrictions!

    Monte Cristo is a nice campground not far from home. My husband and I visited this campsite for the first time just for one night. There was a fire restriction. No bonfires, no cooking on stoves and there was no water due to a leak. The bathroom that I was using I give it a 2 star.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Malibu Beach RV Park

    Great Family Vacation

    Perfect weekend getaway for the family! Loved the store and how close to the beach this place was. Will definitely be coming back!!

  • B
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Tapo Canyon Park

    Favorite spot near LA

    The Camp Hosts here are Very Friendly and welcoming, the campground has a lush grass area and nice covered playground. The showers and bathrooms are nice, we highly recommend Tapo Canyon.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Malibu Creek State Park Campground

    Great trip/great site!

    This place is great! We stayed on site 59 and it had so much space you can fit a ton of people on the site. We had a beautiful, big tree and a great view in the back of the site. Site 62 had the most beautiful view but no shade, but I want to book it for the cooler months. Showers and bathrooms were pristine!! Can’t wait to go back!


Guide to Torrance

Camping options near Torrance, California range from coastal RV sites to state park campgrounds within a 40-mile radius. Most locations require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months when temperatures average 75-85°F. While dispersed camping isn't available in this urban coastal region, established campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities with proximity to both natural features and city attractions.

What to do

Beach exploration: Dockweiler Beach RV Park provides immediate beach access with built-in fire rings along the shore. "We parked right by the Pacific Ocean, watched planes from LAX fly overhead, and soaked in a stunning sunset. It was the ideal place to settle into our campervan life as a Desi-Filipino-Canadian family on a 5000 KM adventure," notes Prince C., who appreciated the dry campsite option further from airport noise.

Kayaking opportunities: Water activities are abundant at several coastal campgrounds. "Had so much fun here today kayaking! It's a great place to enjoy the beach," reports a visitor at Bolsa Chica State Beach, where the protected waters provide calmer conditions for paddlers of all experience levels.

Biking paths: The 20+ mile coastal walking and biking path near Waterfront RV Park connects multiple beach communities. "We rode bikes along the bike path through Huntington, and went for daily walks as well," shares Zach R., who enjoyed the convenience of renting bikes at nearby kiosks for family outings along the paved coastal trail.

What campers like

Ocean proximity: Staying within steps of the Pacific ranks as the top advantage for Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, located 40 miles up the coast from Torrance. "RV Park very close to downtown Long Beach. Nice restroom and laundry facilities. Pool and hot tub are clean," notes Kim M., who appreciated the cleanliness despite busy weekend crowds.

Urban conveniences: Campgrounds in this region provide unusual access to metropolitan amenities. "Nice camp ground with clean and nice facilities," reports Roelof W. about Golden Shore RV Resort, where campers can walk to restaurants and shopping centers while maintaining a home base for regional exploration.

Pool facilities: Anaheim Harbor RV Park offers swimming amenities not typically found at traditional campgrounds. "We spent time in the pool. After that I cooked dinner at our site while my daughters watched television in the adjacent club house. Afterwards they went swimming again," shares Jessica R., highlighting how these urban campgrounds balance outdoor experiences with comfort amenities.

What you should know

Airport noise considerations: Dockweiler Beach campers should prepare for regular aircraft traffic. "We loved this spot next to the beach. We got used to the planes, but they are certainly jarring at first," warns Tyler G., reflecting the trade-off between prime beach location and urban noise patterns.

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, particularly on weekends and during summer months. Early booking through the California State Parks reservation system or private campground websites is essential, with many locations accepting reservations 6-12 months in advance.

Site configurations: Many coastal campgrounds feature parking lot-style arrangements rather than traditional camping settings. "This is essentially a parking lot with power and water. We had a beach front space with a decent sized palm tree. The only one I really saw," explains Michele H. about Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground, where the convenience of location outweighs the lack of privacy.

Tips for camping with families

Canyon shade options: Malibu Creek State Park Campground offers more natural surroundings than beachfront locations. "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool. Our site was spacious enough for our two tents and had a good fire pit and picnic table setup," reports a camper who appreciated the cooler environment for children.

Beach access logistics: Bring a wagon for transporting gear between campgrounds and shorelines. "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," shares Alfred at Leo Carrillo State Park.

Food storage precautions: Urban wildlife requires careful handling of provisions. "Spotted a few rats at night, so definitely store your food properly," warns a Leo Carrillo visitor, highlighting the importance of secure containers even at developed campgrounds near populated areas.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: For Dockweiler Beach RV Park, experienced campers recommend specific locations. "Best sites are 125-128," advises PJ M., who found these spots offered better positioning relative to noise sources and ocean views in the dry camping section.

Utility planning: Full hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites next to the beach. Spots are all concrete, very tight so you better be good at backing up your toys. Water and electric only but they do have a dump station," notes Jesse A. about Bolsa Chica, emphasizing the need to plan for limited sewer connections at some locations.

Size considerations: Many coastal campgrounds have tight turning radiuses and compact spaces. "Camping for over 25 years- 140 nights a year and we have never experienced a campground as unprofessional, clueless and arrogant as this one. Their site measurements are for your camping unit ONLY. If you have a tow vehicle or are towing a vehicle you must pay per night for a parking spot," warns Prentice F., highlighting the importance of understanding total length requirements when making reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hiking trails can I access near Torrance camping areas?

Several campgrounds near Torrance offer excellent hiking opportunities. O'Neill Regional Park is ideal for hiking enthusiasts, with numerous trails for hiking, biking, and running through a scenic canyon environment. For more adventurous hikers, Millard Trail Campground is situated at a popular trailhead with lots of good hiking nearby. It's accessible via a short drive from the Pasadena area. Those willing to venture a bit further can explore Little Jimmy Trail Campground, a backcountry hike-in only site nestled just 2 miles off the Angeles Crest Highway that connects to extensive trail systems.

Where are the best camping sites near Torrance, CA?

Torrance offers convenient access to several excellent camping options within a short drive. Leo Carrillo State Park Campground is a hidden gem up the coast with gorgeous California hill views and private beach access, making it perfect for families. Another great option is Doheny State Beach Campground, where you can camp right on the beach at the edge of Dana Point Harbor. The outside sites along the edge of the campground offer more spacious accommodations, though sites can be small and tight in the middle areas. Both locations provide easy beach access and are within a reasonable drive from Torrance.

Are there any RV parks or campgrounds near Torrance, CA?

Torrance has several RV-friendly options nearby. Dockweiler Beach RV Park offers a prime location directly on a beautiful, clean beach with fire rings and a long bike path. You can step from your RV right onto the sand within minutes. Another excellent option is Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground, featuring concrete/asphalt sites with water, electric hookups, and a dump station. This beachfront camping location provides easy access to Long Beach and is not far from Disneyland, making it perfect for visitors. For those seeking more amenities, Bonelli Bluffs offers a family-friendly environment, though it lacks playground facilities for children.