Westlake Village offers several glamping destinations within a 30-mile radius. The region sits between the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills, with elevations ranging from 880 to 3,000 feet creating diverse camping microclimates. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F while winter nights can drop to 40°F, making year-round glamping possible with proper preparation.
What to do
Hiking to movie locations: 8,000 acres of trails at Malibu Creek State Park provide access to former film sets. "Some interesting movie TV sets in the area. Decent cell coverage. Best for tents, tight for RVs," notes camper Rick L.
Beachfront activities: Easy tide pool exploration near Leo Carrillo State Park Campground. "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.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching opportunities along the trails. "The wildlife is abundant. There is plenty of birdwatching, and coyotes were wandering through the park and campground without fear," according to Ryan W. at Malibu Creek State Park.
What campers like
Quieter weekday stays: Less crowded experience at Lake Casitas Recreation Area. "This campground was HUGE! There are several site with tenting, car camping, and hookups available. It seems to get busy fast so best to book in advance," writes Stephanie M.
Unique wildlife encounters: Resident peacocks at Ventura Ranch KOA. "Peacocks roam this campground. The facilities are well maintained and some being rebuilt after a fire. This location is more expensive than others but the views and facilities are worth it IMO," notes Ben V.
Canyon settings: Shaded camping areas provide relief from summer heat. "The campground is tucked away in a beautiful canyon setting with lots of shade trees, which was really nice for keeping cool," explains Alfred about Leo Carrillo State Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for summer weekends. "It seems to get busy fast so best to book in advance. There are flushing toilets, showers, and non-potable water available," advises Stephanie M. about Lake Casitas.
Noise considerations: Airport and train proximity affects some sites. "You will hear each and every of the planes taking off from LAX, but at one point you don't hear them anymore. It was not really annoying, but that flight at 5a was..." reports Ignasi M. at Dockweiler Beach RV Park.
Site differences: Research specific campsite features before booking. "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," explains Cierra M. about Oak Park.
Tips for camping with families
Glamping options for kids: Specialized accommodations reduce setup stress. "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," details Christina S. about her stay at Ventura Ranch KOA.
Beach access logistics: Plan for gear transport when glamping close to Westlake Village, California. "Bring a wagon if you're hauling beach gear though, as the walk can feel long with all your stuff," suggests Alfred from his Leo Carrillo experience.
Activity planning: Schedule around facility hours for maximum enjoyment. "Swimming only allowed at their 'swimming beach' and only while life guard on duty. And to use my inflatable kayak, I have to use their boat launch and pay a $9.00 fee," notes Van S. about Castaic Lake State Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up options: Consider cost differences between partial and full service. "Our space had basic hook ups - there are two dump stations on site. There's a big cost differential compared to a full hook up site - if that's any concern," advises Bower at Lake Casitas Recreation Area.
Space considerations: Measure site dimensions before arrival. "Spaces can be tight... neighbor's RV was about two feet from ours. Non-hook-up fee was $43.00 plus $8.25 online reservation fee," explains Leonard H. at Santa Cruz Campground.
RV-specific requirements: Some locations restrict vehicle height. "Attention pour avoir accès à la mer, le véhicule doit faire moins de 8 feet!" warns martins A. about access limitations at Leo Carrillo State Park.
