Camping Sites

I'm curious where everyones favorite camping places are here in CA. Want to plan a few trips in the spring and would like some recommendations, to narrow it down I'm looking to go to a few good beach spots and forest spots. Ideally with good hiking and waterfalls would be cool too. I live in San Clemente and grew up in north county SD so I'm familiar with places around here and would like to get out this area.

Thanks Guys!

 

Dispersed, primitive or developed sites, and how far from home? Lots of choices out there!

 

True...I guess starting with developed would be best and then go from there

anywhere from 5-10 hours away would be cool, my first trip I was thinking of going to san simeon, my ladys never been to hearst castle and I would like to take her there and then camp on the beach

 

Big Bear... don’t go on popular weekends though. You get the forest and the mountains which is hard to find in SoCal

 

About a 6 hr drive for you- #1: Snow canyon State Park, St. George, Utah. A mini version of Zion National Park. Hot showers, very clean facilities and great staff. spring or winter

2.5 Hrs- #2: Jalama Beach north of Santa Barbara summer

2.5 hrs- #3: Gaviota Beach " summer

4 hrs- #4: Valley of Fire State Park, NV (near Las Vegas) spring or winter

7 hrs- #5: Great Basin NP, NV spring or summer

 

You can camp in the campground next to the beach there just on the other side of the highway, but camping directly on the beach is illegal. If you gaf.

 

Solid thanks man

 

Wheeler Gorge is awesome. It’s in Ojai, CA about 2 hours north of LA.

 

Front row at Jalama is on the beach if you can reserve a site in time. A+, but honestly, try Snow Canyon- it really is nice A++ for scenery and campground cleanliness, atmosphere, etc.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sno...ycLYAhWE1IMKHSsXA8oQ_AUIEigC&biw=1024&bih=653

 

Been searching for a spot in these regions for my first trip with the new RTT and found this thread. Awesome suggestions. Thanks all.

 

Curious if you have recommendations for dispersed and remote areas...?

 

I like many places in Death Valley, but try closer areas with fun (not technical) off road that's doable with higher clearance 2wd like Caruthers Canyon, Old Woman Mountain and Skeleton Pass road and Hole In the Wall campground in the Mojave, and many places like Blair Valley in Anza Borrego for weekend trips closer to So Cal. For closer off road 4x4 try Berdoo Cyn road south of Joshua tree NP and For more technical try Old Dale Road north of the park, but camp on the BLM side of the park on that road and you will be ok. Some cool mining relics on that road you will enjoy seeing, too.

 

dude kings canyon/sequoia national park...sickest place in CA and unlimited amount of dispersed camping

 

Kings canyon is an all time favorite of mine. I’m just worried going into sequoia we may end up in snow conditions. I’ve never gone this time of year.

 

Is camping allowed along berdoo?

 

I meant Old Dale- camping isn't permitted on the park side of it- Berdoo is ok.

 

All of these posts are great! I miss San Clemente a metric f*** ton. If you're looking for a decent little overnight spot, head up to bluejay campground on top of Ortega hwy, once you pass the Hells Kitchen biker bar, you'll turn left before you start descending into lake Elsinore. There's also a back way to get up there, you'd have to look on google earth. It's a decent little Camp Ground, just a nice to get away from the city for a night, and it's less than an hour away. If you haven't already, take a full day and drive the Main Divide Truck trail going north, through the Santa Ana mtns.

 

I used to be a seasonal firefighter in Tulare Co. If you're looking for remote camping I know of a few spots. No cell service, 1 1/2 hours from the nearest city, plus some badass hikes near giant sequoia trees on public land in the national forest.

 

LEO CARILLO. north of Malibu. Great spot. Hot showers. Camp in “wooded” area. Walk across (under) highway to beach. Great with kids. Love it.

 

Going to be headed to Kings Canyon in two weeks a little nervous for snow any recommendations on camping?