Southern California has a bounty of campgrounds that you can go to while vacationing or traveling on business. If you’re in the Southern California area and not sure where you should stay on your traveling adventure, this guide will help you out by detailing ten of the top Campgrounds you won’t want to miss.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #1: Doheny State Beach Camping
Doheny State Beach is located at 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive Dana Point, CA. The beach has two sections. One is for day visitors (northern part) and the other (southern part) is for those that wish to camp at the beach. There are 100 tent sites and 16 RV spaces. The campground has a snack bar with AT&T; Wifi available to those that have wireless laptops or PDA’s. The campground has rest rooms, showers, picnic areas, fire rings and dump sites. Besides enjoying being at the beach, you can fish, swim, surf, etc. Dogs are allowed to be at the campground free of charge if you keep them leashed and clean up their messes. Dogs are not allowed on the beach. You do have to make reservations and it is recommended that you try to make your reservation at least 6 months in advance as this is a popular spot. Family camping rates is $26 dollars if you want a spot by the beach and $16 dollars inland during the off season. In season prices are $31 for beachfront and $21 for inland. Prices are subject to change. For more information, call (949) 496-6172.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #2: Los Alamos Campground
The Los Alamos Campground is located in Valencia California (20 miles north of Magic Mountain). The camp site has 93 spaces available to the public for a small fee of $12 dollars per camp site per night. Tables and drinking water is available as well as a dump site. The Campground is about 2 ½ miles from Pyramid Lake. If you have a boat or jet ski, this may be the campground you want to consider staying at because it’s the closest one to the lake. You can boat, Jet Ski, fish, water ski and swim at Pyramid Lake. Those camping at Los Alamos get first dibs on getting into Pyramid Lake but you do have to be in line by 6:15 AM. To find out more about Los Alamos Campground, call (661) 248-6575. To make reservations for the Los Alamos Campground, call 1-800-416-6992.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #3: San ClementeStateBeach
San Clemente State Beach is located at 3030 Avenida Del Presidente San Clemente, CA. and is between Los Angeles and San Diego. They have a campground that offers hot showers, bathrooms, dump stations, RV Sites that have sewer, water and electrical hookups, handicap access, AT&T; Wifi (for those with a laptop or PDA that are set up to work with wireless), picnic areas, nature trails and more. Dogs are allowed at the campground if they are on a short leash and they are not allowed on the beach or in buildings at the campground. Some of the things to do are swimming, surfing, fishing, etc. It is recommended that you make reservations in advance and you can do that from their website. Prices for families range from $16 to $34 dollars depending on if you go during the off or on season. To find out more, call (949) 492-3156.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #4: AnaheimHarbor RV Park
Anaheim Harbor RV Park is ideal for those that want to go to Disneyland as it is the closest campsite to the magical kingdom. It is also nearby the Anaheim Convention Center and Angel Stadium. They have a heated swimming pool, a laundry room, full hookups, vending machines and more. Though they are mainly an RV site, they do have tent sites that are $40 dollars a night. A single RV site is $46 dollars a night (more if your RV is bigger then normal). You can make reservations from their website here. Their address is 1009 South Harbor Blvd Anaheim, CA 92805. For more information, call them at (714) 535-6495.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #5: San Diego Metro KOA
San Diego Metro KOA is located at 111 North 2nd Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910. They have tent, cabin and RV camping. The site has a swimming pool, hot tub, and the option to rent bicycles, buy firewood and go on a tour (for a fee). If your are tent camping, you can chose to rent a spot that has no hookups or for a larger fee, camp at a site that has electricity hookups and is close to their Kamper Kitchen. For a regular camp site with no hookups, it is $41 dollars to start but may cost more depending on what season it is and how many people you have. To find out additional information, call (619) 427-3601.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #6: HobsonCounty Campground
Hobson County Campground is a beautiful spot close to the beach. There are 31 sites available for RV’s and tent camping. 10 RV spots have full hookups (cable TV, sewer, water, and electric). There are fire pits, showers, bathrooms, a concession stand and more. They are located at 5210 W. Pacific Coast Hwy, Ventura. Hwy 101. Prices start at $38 dollars a night but are subject to change. For more information, call (805) 654-3951.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #7: Indian Oaks Trailer Ranch
Indian Oaks Trailer Ranch is located at 38120 East Benton Road Temecula, Ca. 92592. They offer tent camping and RV hookups. They are located in wine country and there are usually several activities going on in the area throughout the year. You can make arrangements to go on a horse ride around the Ranch (for an additional fee). Some of the things you can do at the Ranch is swimming, fishing (catch and release only), have a treat at the snack bar, go out on a paddle boat on the lake, and more. Tent sites cost $20 dollars a night for up to four people while partial hookups for an RV is $25 dollars. For additional information, call (951) 302-5399.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #8: San Elijo State Beach Campground
San Elijo State Beach is located in the San Diego area and offers campers access to fire rings, swimming (ocean), dump stations, laundry rooms, restrooms, surfing and much more. During the high season, you can only stay 7 days in a row, off-season days you can stay longer. None of the campsites have shade. The San Elijo State Beach Campground is located at 2050 So Coast Hwy 101 Cardiff CA 92007. If you’d like to make a reservation, call 1-800-444-7275.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #9: MalibuCreekState Park
Malibu Creek State Park Campground is just 25 miles away from downtown Los Angeles, which puts you in an ideal location to go sightseeing while you’re away from the campground. At the State Park, you can fish, hike, bird watch and even take your horses on a horseback ride. You can bring your dog but only if they are kept on a leash at your campground and at day use areas. There are also such amenities as laundry rooms, telephones, showers, dump stations, etc. The campground is 10 minutes by car to the beach. Family camping prices ranges from $15 to $25 dollars a night, depending on what season you go. To find out more information, call (818)880-0367.
Top Campgrounds in Southern California #10: DarkCanyon Campground
Dark Canyon Campground has 21 campsites for tents or RV’s. The campground is located eight and half miles from Idyllwild, California. They have restrooms, fire rings and fresh water. Five of the sites are located right by the creek with the rest being farther away. Campgrounds are $12 dollars per night. If you’d like to make a reservation, call (877) 444-6777.
