Camping in California but not at a camp site

July 29, 2009 8:40 AM

Looking for beautiful places to go camping within 400 miles of Los Angeles for a couple days in August. I don't want to go to a "camp site" though. Stunning views of Rivers, Lakes, mountains or the ocean are a plus.

Just going with a couple people, we just want to find a place that's special and quiet.

posted by Charlie Lesoine to Science & Nature (5 answers total)

I just got back from here and thoroughly recommend it. I've been there 4 times and have always car-camped in Jackass Meadow, but as that page explains there are lots of more remote options and the area is spectacular.
posted by contraption at 9:01 AM on July 29, 2009

We camp in Los Padres National Forest every summer. Although you said not a "camp site" we camp at China Camp, where there's usually nobody else during the week, sometimes two or three people at weekends. The site is "unimproved" and has no water, but does have level places for sleeping, has fire rings for campfires, and tables with benches which make for easier cooking. It's surrounded by glorious mountains though not so much in the way of rivers; for swimming we usually head down to the Tassajara creek six miles from China camp.

From the Los Padres website: "Camping is allowed outside of designated campgrounds in some areas", in case you really want to get away.

If contraption revisits: please resubmit your link as it doesn't go where you planned.
posted by anadem at 9:18 AM on July 29, 2009

Oh crap, sorry about that! Florence Lake website is here.
posted by contraption at 9:41 AM on July 29, 2009

Response by poster: Wow Florence Lake looks pretty sweet!
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 9:53 AM on July 29, 2009

It is! It's clear and blue and sits in a basin of solid granite, and is great to swim in this time of year; a bit on the chilly side but not the instantly painful, bone-chilling mountain lake cold you might expect.
posted by contraption at 10:43 AM on July 29, 2009