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debbiej Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008 Posts: 1556 Location: las cruces, nm
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 1:50 am Post subject: Places to camp in Los Angeles? |
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we are visiting family who live in Los Angeles during the Christmas break. right down town, loft in old banking district. they park in a garage, but there is a parking lot very near. being a country cousin, I don't know what to do. we'd love to drive and stay in the westy and make it a bit of an adventure... getting there, not while we are there. I don't want to pop the top in a parking garage or a lot. I think they live fairly close to a couple of beaches, and I've done a search for suggestions about that. I'm not familiar with the logistics or area. something may sound good but be 3 hrs away because of traffic. so, any advice on "rv-ing" in LA please? (if there is such a thing!) |
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GFrank Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Huntington Beach
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 2:15 am Post subject: |
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I wouldnt try to stay in your van downtown lots of crime, drug addicts and homless on the streets. Also not to many overnight friendly beaches in LA in general. You might find a Good Sam or somthing like that in Santa Monica or Venice not to far from DT. Down here in Orange County
there is several beaches but its a 1hr drive to say Bolsa Chica.
Keep searching on the internet
Good luck Merry X-Mas |
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whynotvw Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2004 Posts: 1322
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 2:34 am Post subject: |
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you could stay at three campsites thats about one hour or less about 25 miles north of santa monica beach
1. Leo carillo campsite 50 minutes $35 per night no hook ups but shower and bathrooms. great surf when the waves are breaking and tide pools.
2. pt. mugu campsite (sycamore)3 miles north of leo carillo. $35 per nite and shower and bathrooms. beautiful hiking and mtn biking trails.
3. Pt. mugu campsite ( thornhill broom )1/4 mile north of sycamore $25 nite no shower and no real bathroom but out houses. right on the beach. you could see the water from your campsite. state highway P.C.H is 400 yards away so little bit noisy. sometimes i camp here then go to one of the other campsite to take a shower.
driving from santa monica to these campsite has one of the nicest 25 miles of ocean scenic drives.
you can go to reserve america and book it on line.
good luck and have a great time. if you need more details you can pm me. |
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brexcavator Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2008 Posts: 132 Location: Bellingham area, Washington
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 7:36 am Post subject: |
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Downtown LA.. Park in front of the mission. go tell them you have no place to stay and they will let you park there all night. Pretty crappy place to camp, but hey, it is LA. I would follow the above advice and go about an hour north every night. well worth the drive for the sunsets and sunrise. I was raised in LA and Monterey and would never set foot in LA again, but I do miss the drive through Malibu and points North. _________________ www.sensiblewashington.org |
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dbcdad Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2006 Posts: 189
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 8:51 am Post subject: |
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A place you can liik into is Dockweiler State Beach. It is at the end of LAX runway on the beach.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=617
Some other places are Bolsa Chica SB and Huntington SB
Have Fun, David C |
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debbiej Samba Member
Joined: December 14, 2008 Posts: 1556 Location: las cruces, nm
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:00 am Post subject: |
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thanks for the info! depending on parking and how long we decide to stay, we may not camp. or we may drive the van and camp before and after our visit. |
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dbcdad Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2006 Posts: 189
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:08 am Post subject: |
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If that is what you are doing then going south to San Clemente, (about 60 miles from down town), their are a couple of camping sites. San Onofre is on the cliffs and San Mateo is a 1/4 mile up from the ocean with a walking, bike path to the beach. this is a world class surf spot as well.
Have Fun, David C |
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Ahwahnee Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010 Posts: 9810 Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 9:35 am Post subject: |
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I have camped at most of the state beaches in LA & OC and they are very fine but if you want something cheaper and inland -- when visiting relatives in Walnut we have camped at Prado Regional Park in Chino (16700 Euclid).
Nice & quiet and good freeway access. May catch a whiff of cows (dairy) depending on which way the wind blows. Had to convince them that the Westy was a camper and that we weren't living in a van (that seemed to matter a lot to them).
I have also used the big RV park in Orange -- also worked well but more urban and close-packed than the rural setting at Prado.
Trying to 'camp' right in LA would be more than I could handle. We did recently stay at a motel near LAX -- lodging can be quite reasonable there and they had a secure parking garage plenty tall enough for the Westy. Was it the Travelodge on Century? I think so.
Enjoy SoCal, we always do. |
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VanWilder Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009 Posts: 1349 Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:48 am Post subject: |
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Debbie, do not sleep in your Van DT LA. Bad idea. DT L.A. is a @#$% Hole of crime and theft and disease. But don't miss a trip to Central Market. Having said all of that, Angeles Crest National Forest is 20 mins from DT L.A. Closest campgrounds are roughly 20 mins from the Forest entrance. The coastal campgrounds will be an hour to an hour and a half away. The coast option could be sold out also as the Angeles Forest option should not be. _________________ VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
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eeebee Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2009 Posts: 431 Location: Tujunga
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately most of Angeles Crest is closed since the big fire last summer. This is the least busy time of year so I would try Malibu Creek or Leo Carrillo state parks but reservations are probably still required. |
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supersooner Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2005 Posts: 131 Location: At the ranch - 20 miles east of Oklahoma City
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Posted: Sat Nov 27, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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About 15 years ago, I stayed a night in the long term LAX parking lot. Cheap compared to the local RV places. No facilities of course. Might not be as easy now with all the homeland security. |
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