Novice-Difficulty Camping +/- 2 hours from LA?
February 3, 2016 7:11 PM Subscribe
The ladybro and I have been delving into all kinds of new fun in the New Year- Bouldering, gym workouts, board games. It's been a blast! Next on the list: Camping.
We're both super junior league campers. I can put up a tent and I understand the basics of starting a fire, but that's about where it ends. We're looking for a camping spot somewhere within 2 hours of LA where we could bring a tent and a couple sleeping bags and not die in the process.
Joshua Tree has a bunch of these nice drive-up spots, but they appear to be booked up between now and Ragnarok, so I'm looking for Plan B options. Bonus points for dog friendliness, but not 100% necessary. We've done the AirStream "glamping" thing before, so we're really looking for the tent 'n bag experience, but on the easy end of the curve.
And if you have any 101 camping tips, toss them in here too!
Joshua Tree has a bunch of these nice drive-up spots, but they appear to be booked up between now and Ragnarok, so I'm looking for Plan B options. Bonus points for dog friendliness, but not 100% necessary. We've done the AirStream "glamping" thing before, so we're really looking for the tent 'n bag experience, but on the easy end of the curve.
And if you have any 101 camping tips, toss them in here too!
A full set of good quality camping kit can be a bit of an investment if you're not sure you're going to enjoy it. You might consider buying a few essentials and renting some of the rest of your equipment. Don't skimp on your camp mattress -- the ground is not only hard, but it can also be quite cold. Having the right layer underneath your sleeping bag is perhaps just as important as having a good bag.
To ease into things -- plan a short trip (no more than 2-3 nights -- don't try to start with a week-long expedition) and keep things relatively simple: if you have a good time you can work your way up towards more advanced camping. One thing that will help is not to get too complicated or ambitious about cooking on your first few trips. Another thing that will help is to provide for some creature comforts. They're useless for backpacking but if you'll be camping not far from a place you can reach by car then I strongly recommend some folding camp chairs -- they can be picked up cheaply and will greatly improve your comfort in camp.
But in the end -- just pick a place. Go there. Relax. Have fun. Don't overdo it. Camping can be really, really pleasant way to unwind. Or it can be a miserable ordeal. Try to remember you're there to have fun and you probably will.
posted by Nerd of the North at 7:43 PM on February 3, 2016
To ease into things -- plan a short trip (no more than 2-3 nights -- don't try to start with a week-long expedition) and keep things relatively simple: if you have a good time you can work your way up towards more advanced camping. One thing that will help is not to get too complicated or ambitious about cooking on your first few trips. Another thing that will help is to provide for some creature comforts. They're useless for backpacking but if you'll be camping not far from a place you can reach by car then I strongly recommend some folding camp chairs -- they can be picked up cheaply and will greatly improve your comfort in camp.
But in the end -- just pick a place. Go there. Relax. Have fun. Don't overdo it. Camping can be really, really pleasant way to unwind. Or it can be a miserable ordeal. Try to remember you're there to have fun and you probably will.
posted by Nerd of the North at 7:43 PM on February 3, 2016
I will see you Sunday into Monday at Malibu State Park, it will be in the 80's! There's hiking, streams, mountain, and a waterfall!
Google it, but you can hike about 5 miles above Altadena and camp at a designated hike-in only camping area - I know Eaton Canyon has one too - may or may not be the same spot.
Mt Pinos for an Alpine Adventure 1.5 hrs out of LA! They have star parties and hike in camping at the top, the lowest camp ground (McGill?) is really really nice. There's likely snow here right now, but keep it in mind for the summer during a meteor shower or new moon...
Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave, also about 2 hrs from LA (so, not Vegas red rocks canyon, the other one) this is above the experimental air field and along with Mt Pinos, one of the spots with the lowest light pollution. MeMail if you want a campsite recommendation. I love this spot! Isolated, up against the cliffs, true desert camping. Surrounding area is a bit breaking bad - so be warned - but the cafe at the airfield is AWESOME and usually that's part of our trip home. Also, this is where the Natural History Museum comes to go fossil hunting. I believe Opals may also be found.
I'll reply here if I think of more.
My latest camping tip? Get a bunch of those emergency blankets and put them under your sleep mat or air mattress. No more cold ground at night!!
(Also, Thornhill-Broome at Point Mogu if you want to sleep at the surf's edge. State Park online reservation, some rangers accept drive up - depends. Either way, shhhhhhhhhhh. )
posted by jbenben at 7:50 PM on February 3, 2016
Google it, but you can hike about 5 miles above Altadena and camp at a designated hike-in only camping area - I know Eaton Canyon has one too - may or may not be the same spot.
Mt Pinos for an Alpine Adventure 1.5 hrs out of LA! They have star parties and hike in camping at the top, the lowest camp ground (McGill?) is really really nice. There's likely snow here right now, but keep it in mind for the summer during a meteor shower or new moon...
Red Rock Canyon in the Mojave, also about 2 hrs from LA (so, not Vegas red rocks canyon, the other one) this is above the experimental air field and along with Mt Pinos, one of the spots with the lowest light pollution. MeMail if you want a campsite recommendation. I love this spot! Isolated, up against the cliffs, true desert camping. Surrounding area is a bit breaking bad - so be warned - but the cafe at the airfield is AWESOME and usually that's part of our trip home. Also, this is where the Natural History Museum comes to go fossil hunting. I believe Opals may also be found.
I'll reply here if I think of more.
My latest camping tip? Get a bunch of those emergency blankets and put them under your sleep mat or air mattress. No more cold ground at night!!
(Also, Thornhill-Broome at Point Mogu if you want to sleep at the surf's edge. State Park online reservation, some rangers accept drive up - depends. Either way, shhhhhhhhhhh. )
posted by jbenben at 7:50 PM on February 3, 2016
I bought a cheap tent at Big 5 eight years ago that's awesome and I'm still using. The Columbus Sunridge. I saw Wayfair had cheap dome tents for $21. We're in SoCal, no worries about rain. BTW, both the cheapest and most expensive tents benefit if you put an extra tarp underneath. You can buy decent 4'x 4' tarps at some dollar stores, it need not be fancy. It will greatly extend the life of your tent and increase your comfort.
posted by jbenben at 7:58 PM on February 3, 2016
posted by jbenben at 7:58 PM on February 3, 2016
I highly, highly recommend the Channel Islands for super simple tent camping that feels isolated and badass. You park, walk your ice chest, stove, and the rest of your gear 50 yards to the ferry, take said ferry (and hopefully see whales & dolphins on the way), and then walk the gear 150 yards from the freely to the campground. There's water, picnic tables, pit toilets, and grilsl in the campgrounds (not sure on their fire policy), so it's a similar setup to what you get car camping. BUT you're on an awesome island! The miniature foxes (don't feed) and sea otters are super cute, and the hiking is fun and as challenging as you want to make it.
This time of year it's pretty quiet too, so you may only get a few other families in the (large) campground.
posted by Jaclyn at 8:09 PM on February 3, 2016 [9 favorites]
This time of year it's pretty quiet too, so you may only get a few other families in the (large) campground.
posted by Jaclyn at 8:09 PM on February 3, 2016 [9 favorites]
Hike & bike tent sites are usually available even when car camping is full. Hike & bike sites are cheaper, too.
"But now you know: bike travel is as simple as hopping on a bike, any bike, and riding a few miles to a nearby campground or lodge. "
posted by aniola at 8:26 PM on February 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
"But now you know: bike travel is as simple as hopping on a bike, any bike, and riding a few miles to a nearby campground or lodge. "
posted by aniola at 8:26 PM on February 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
Refugio Beach south of Santa Barbara. Matillja lake behind Ojai.
posted by Oyéah at 9:03 PM on February 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 9:03 PM on February 3, 2016 [1 favorite]
Joshua Tree is slightly more than two hours from LA, but since you mentioned it...I just got back from camping at Black Rock Campground and it was pretty empty. Flush toilets, and a 10 minute drive to Wal-Mart in case you find yourself needing anything...but still beautiful and quiet. There are a couple of hiking trails right off the campground, and it's also a quick drive into the town of Joshua Tree and the park entrance.
Oh, and it was COLD at night (: My tip is to fill up a nalgene with boiling water right before bed and shove it in the bottom of your sleeping bag. Also bring some lint from your dryer to use as a fire starter.
posted by justjess at 9:40 PM on February 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
Oh, and it was COLD at night (: My tip is to fill up a nalgene with boiling water right before bed and shove it in the bottom of your sleeping bag. Also bring some lint from your dryer to use as a fire starter.
posted by justjess at 9:40 PM on February 3, 2016 [2 favorites]
Mount Baldy, North of Claremont, is within 2 hours of LA (depending on LA traffic). It's a moderately difficult hike to get some some good camp spots.
posted by dws at 9:58 PM on February 3, 2016
posted by dws at 9:58 PM on February 3, 2016
Yeah, I thought J Tree, too. It's gorgeous. I really love the desert. But it is cold this time of year.
posted by persona au gratin at 11:56 PM on February 3, 2016
posted by persona au gratin at 11:56 PM on February 3, 2016
Oh yeah, on Baldy you can drive to Manker Flats and camp. It's also a great hike up to the top from there. With no traffic it's like 90 mins top. And it feels very far from civilization.
posted by persona au gratin at 11:58 PM on February 3, 2016
posted by persona au gratin at 11:58 PM on February 3, 2016
You might consider buying a few essentials and renting some of the rest of your equipment.
You can rent stuff at REI.
Colin Fletcher's The Complete Walker is a good howto for hiking, don't-poop-near-water, camping, etc.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:46 AM on February 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
You can rent stuff at REI.
Colin Fletcher's The Complete Walker is a good howto for hiking, don't-poop-near-water, camping, etc.
posted by sebastienbailard at 12:46 AM on February 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
What I'd recommend is rent a van to camp in. It solves a lot of problems. When I was young, my parents had the VW hippie van. There was a cargo area in the back, my parents put a crib mattress back there and my sister and I slept there. Mom and Dad each slept on the bench seats. If it rained, no hassle, we were tucked in and snug. It also cuts down on the amount you spend on mattresses, heavy-duty sleeping bags, tents etc. If this is your first foray, you can cut down a lot of expenses this way. We camped in public camping places, my mom insisted on toilets and showers. You would be surprised how many California campsites have toilets and showers.
We'd go to places that had picnic tables. So a lot of the set up was already done and we could get down to hanging out in nature.
In California you have both National Parks and State Parks, so cast around until you land on the campground that suits your needs.
But seriously, sleep in a van your first time out. There's no shame.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:10 AM on February 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
We'd go to places that had picnic tables. So a lot of the set up was already done and we could get down to hanging out in nature.
In California you have both National Parks and State Parks, so cast around until you land on the campground that suits your needs.
But seriously, sleep in a van your first time out. There's no shame.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 5:10 AM on February 4, 2016 [2 favorites]
I understand the basics of starting a fire
Before you start one, you should also understand how to put OUT a fire and have everything you need to do that. Generally a shovel and a five gallon bucket of water -- some places these are required, but it's a good idea anyhow. You can put a lid on the five gallon bucket and sit on it or use it as a table for snacks.
Also, you'll want to check on the fire regulations for wherever you are camping if you're planning on having a fire. Check both the general regulations and any seasonal bans.
I haven't cooked over an outdoor fire in years, and I wouldn't even consider knowing how to start one a basic camping skill these days. The camp stove gets a lot more use.
posted by yohko at 2:27 PM on February 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
Before you start one, you should also understand how to put OUT a fire and have everything you need to do that. Generally a shovel and a five gallon bucket of water -- some places these are required, but it's a good idea anyhow. You can put a lid on the five gallon bucket and sit on it or use it as a table for snacks.
Also, you'll want to check on the fire regulations for wherever you are camping if you're planning on having a fire. Check both the general regulations and any seasonal bans.
I haven't cooked over an outdoor fire in years, and I wouldn't even consider knowing how to start one a basic camping skill these days. The camp stove gets a lot more use.
posted by yohko at 2:27 PM on February 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
I will see you Sunday into Monday at Malibu State Park
It's officially Malibu Creek State Park, but yeah this would be your best bet.
It's only a few miles from the 101 in Calabasas. There is a Albertsons, a couple Starbucks, and various food places down the road as well. Best of all, it has auto-flush toilets and hot showers. In my opinion its as good as it gets for easier camping in the Los Angeles.
posted by sideshow at 3:18 PM on February 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
It's officially Malibu Creek State Park, but yeah this would be your best bet.
It's only a few miles from the 101 in Calabasas. There is a Albertsons, a couple Starbucks, and various food places down the road as well. Best of all, it has auto-flush toilets and hot showers. In my opinion its as good as it gets for easier camping in the Los Angeles.
posted by sideshow at 3:18 PM on February 4, 2016 [1 favorite]
if you have any 101 camping tips, toss them in here too
Buy firewood from the camp hosts, if fires are permitted where you go. I see novice campers trying to start their campfires from wood they find around the campsite, which is both bad environmentally and not worth the bother -- there just isn't that much good wood lying around.
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:08 AM on February 11, 2016
Buy firewood from the camp hosts, if fires are permitted where you go. I see novice campers trying to start their campfires from wood they find around the campsite, which is both bad environmentally and not worth the bother -- there just isn't that much good wood lying around.
posted by The corpse in the library at 11:08 AM on February 11, 2016
« Older Number Slammed by Tmo Rep – What's fair... | Help us find the least expensive reliable... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by zagyzebra at 7:29 PM on February 3, 2016 [3 favorites]