Camping in Los Angeles County area this Sept/Oct
September 13, 2024 12:04 AM Subscribe
I'm planning to go camping for several 1-2 night trips in the LA County area this fall - what are your suggestions, given the criteria inside?
I'm planning to go camping for several 1-2 night trips in the LA County area this fall. The Line Fire has disrupted my plan to go to Big Bear or Arrowhead, where I've previously enjoyed camping. I've camped in Idyllwild and Joshua Tree before. Do you have suggestions for alternative spots?
Car camping, sleeping in a tent. No hike-ins
Dog friendly preferred but not required
Somewhere that's not 100+ degrees right now
Weekdays are fine, but reservations preferred
More "granola girl"/outdoorsy and less RV or party atmosphere preferred
I'm aware of searching on Recreation.gov and Hipcamp and so forth - looking for your suggestions. Thank you!
I'm planning to go camping for several 1-2 night trips in the LA County area this fall. The Line Fire has disrupted my plan to go to Big Bear or Arrowhead, where I've previously enjoyed camping. I've camped in Idyllwild and Joshua Tree before. Do you have suggestions for alternative spots?
Car camping, sleeping in a tent. No hike-ins
Dog friendly preferred but not required
Somewhere that's not 100+ degrees right now
Weekdays are fine, but reservations preferred
More "granola girl"/outdoorsy and less RV or party atmosphere preferred
I'm aware of searching on Recreation.gov and Hipcamp and so forth - looking for your suggestions. Thank you!
Best answer: Leo Carillo in Malibu, on the beach (but the campground is a short walk, so NOT literally ON the beach camping) is finally open again (floods). Highly recommend. If you care, cell reception sucks there, but you're supposed to be enjoying the outdoors! Plus, lots of OG Baywatch was filmed there. You might really remember the rock formations on the beach. I grew up camping there regularly, especially T-giving.
posted by atomicstone at 5:30 AM on September 13, 2024
posted by atomicstone at 5:30 AM on September 13, 2024
Best answer: I camped at Point Mugu State Park for a few nights last fall and loved it. Very peaceful in the canyon. There are also campsites right on the beach.
posted by mareli at 6:07 AM on September 13, 2024
posted by mareli at 6:07 AM on September 13, 2024
Best answer: If you’re looking for more forest-like experience, Mt. Pinos is nice.
posted by spudsilo at 9:25 AM on September 13, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by spudsilo at 9:25 AM on September 13, 2024 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I’ve camped both Point Mugu and Leo Carrillo and while both are beach focused Point Mugu actually has you camping on the beach. Opening my tent in the morning and immediately seeing dolphins was quite the experience.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 9:35 AM on September 13, 2024
posted by Parasite Unseen at 9:35 AM on September 13, 2024
Best answer: Sycamore Canyon in Point Mugu is one of my favorite places - It's not on the beach, but you still get marine layer weather and the sites are further apart.
I never made it there when I lived in SD or LA, but there are oceanside (bluff-top) parks in a couple places along the Camp Pendleton corridor on the 5 - San Onofre, drawing a blank on the name just south of there. I have scored an ocean-side bluff spot in Carlsbad South and it was fantastic.
I also love the area around Julian, where at the higher elevations it'll be reliably cooler.
Ojai and spots in Los Padres NF will be cooler than LA's summer-fall.
None of my recommendations are actually in LA County, I think. But they're close!
Also check Hipcamp. We had some really memorable farm stays that way, often with goats and/or horses, and fresh eggs for sale from the chickens.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:03 AM on September 13, 2024
I never made it there when I lived in SD or LA, but there are oceanside (bluff-top) parks in a couple places along the Camp Pendleton corridor on the 5 - San Onofre, drawing a blank on the name just south of there. I have scored an ocean-side bluff spot in Carlsbad South and it was fantastic.
I also love the area around Julian, where at the higher elevations it'll be reliably cooler.
Ojai and spots in Los Padres NF will be cooler than LA's summer-fall.
None of my recommendations are actually in LA County, I think. But they're close!
Also check Hipcamp. We had some really memorable farm stays that way, often with goats and/or horses, and fresh eggs for sale from the chickens.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:03 AM on September 13, 2024
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posted by HearHere at 3:44 AM on September 13, 2024