New to the area: Need camping recommendations

Hey guys!

New to the area. Just moved to North County from VA after doing a three month trip living off grid. I'm looking for the best photographic/fun camping spots in Southern California area. Pretty much anywhere within a ~4 hour range from North SD county.

Looking for:
- Photographic
- Not too difficult (stock TRD-OR)
- Pet friendly (not a necessity)
- able to put up a tent or rooftop tent
- Preferably free but I don't mind paying for a nice campground

What say ye?

* I've obviously done a ton of googling but I feel as though that's the popular spots, which I'm okay with, but I'd rather the less popular places*

 

Joshua Tree is a quick one I can think of. Gets hot out there during the summer though.

 

Ummm within four hours??? Starting from the closest wheeling/camping destinations:

Cuyamaca
Anza Borrego
Idylwild
Joshua Tree
Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead
Johnson Valley
Mojave Preserve
Death Valley
Sequoia National Forest/National Park

All of these destinations can be explored in a stock 4x4 tacoma and all have free camping with the exception of Cuyamaca. These are just the major ones. Let me know if you have any questions, I know all of them very well except for Johnson, Joshua, and Sequoia; I still have to cross those off my list