Southern California Camping

[kaklein]

Anyone local to So Cal? What are some of your favorite spots? I've recently started a meetup to find other campers but it's a bit slow getting off the ground.

[KimNTerry]

Not in So Cal any longer. The year round camping is great though.
Some of our favorite spots in so cal.

Spring, Summer, and fall we Liked to hit Mt Pinos specifically McGill Campground. 1 hour north of Santa Clarita up Interstate 5 (The grapevine) It's first come first served but we never had a problem finding a spot even on holiday weekends. (I do recommend heading up on Thursday for a holiday weekend though.) It does close for the winter as Mt Pinos does get snow. Like most forest service campgrounds in So Cal; McGill is a dry campground so you have to bring your own water. Elevation is approximately 7000 ft so it's a nice escape from the heat.

Check out all of the options in Los Padres National Forest. From Mt Pinos to Big Sur it is one of the largest national forests in the US.

In Winter we would hit the beach campgrounds along US 101 especially El Capitan. These are also first come first served in the off season but there is usually plenty off availability in the off season.

If you try the beach during the camping season you will need a reservation so plan ahead and book early.

These were among our favorite spots in So Cal.. Now we are in Colorado. (The camping here is terrible ;) so don't come here for camping ;))

[evanhix]

Hello, we live close by in Simi Valley. We tend to dry camp with our young kids in our toyhauler a majority of our trips. Some of our favorite semi-local:
Flying Flags RV Park, Buellton CA
Thornhill Broom Beach,
Dove Springs, Mojave Desert
Hartley Springs, Mammoth Lakes CA
Emma Wood State Beach, north of Ventura
Camp Land on the Bay, San Diego

Check them out. Hope this helps.

[KimNTerry]

Flying Flags RV Park, Buellton CA Good full hook-up resort. Near by wineries, breweries, and of course solvang and the casinos. Also in that area part of Los Padres are several campgrounds in and around Lake Cachuma.

A bit further north inland from Pismo beach is Lopez Lake near Arroyo Grande. hookups available on many spots there.

I do love Colorado, but I do also miss the year 'round camping afforded in Southern California.

[KSH]

Flying flags is great with kids
Carpinteria state beach
Campland on the bay
Rivernook and camp james in kern
Sequoia Campground and Lodge
Lake casita is awsome, they have a water park
Leo carillo state beach
Ventura beach rv resort for Halloween

Just a few great spots.

[kaklein]

Thank you so much!

[kaklein]

Thank you!

[flipazn]

I live in Lakewood. For SoCal, we like Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree, Serrano Campground in Big Bear, Laguna Campground (in the meadow section) in Mt. Laguna, San Diego KOA, Rockhouse Campground (dispersed camping) in Anza Borrego, to name a few...

[Cometman]

Just joined the Forum- saw you live near Simi Valley- we live there as well. Heading to Flying Flags next week! We have been there 4 times with our new Bullet- bought it is September last year. Last week we were up in Kern River at Rivernook. Great campsite there as well.

[+Ruff Rider]

The only way to keep favorite campgrounds favorite is to not let everyone know the secret spot ROFL.

[flybouy]

The only way to keep favorite campgrounds favorite is to not let everyone know the secret spot ROFL.

In the words of Yogi Berra - "No one goes there nowadays, it’s too crowded.":lol:

[KSH]

Flying flags is great!