Fun Places to Camp?? Within a Few Hours of Orange County?

Hi M.,

I don't know where you have already been , but some local campgrounds we love are San Clemente State Beach, Campland on the Bay (Mission Bay in San Diego), Chula Vista RV Resort, Prado Regional Park (Chino), O'Neil Regional Park, Calico Ghost Town is fun during Halloween, Lopez Lake (this is about 5 hours away in San Luis Obispo county), Caspers Regional Park, and Lake Casitas near Ojai (you can't go in the lake, but they do have a waterpark.)

I do not like to be disappointed when I arrive at a new campground, so I usually do a drive through before making reservations so that I get a good spot. Most parks will let you in for 15 minutes for free.

Happy Camping!!

You should look into San Elijo State Beach...It's in the San Diego area (near Del Mar). I'm not sure about availability but I always had so much fun when I went there as a child.

We love Canyon RV right off the 91 and gypsum canyon. Very woodsy but so close. We also just tried the North Glamis KOA. Rocky but it was pretty good 4x4 riding, the camp owners are awesome and they have a very nice warm heated pool. We are trying to stay away from the state campgrounds. Too expensive for what you get and very hard to make reservations. Have fun!!!

We just got back from a weekend in the Sequoia National Forest. Belknap in Camp Nelson is my favorite campground, but only allows tents. Quaking Aspen just up from Ponderosa allows trailers. Love, love, love it up there. I could recommend several decent places to hike and I'm sure there are places you can take your ATV's. http://www.ponderosaca.com/ has lots of info on weather, hiking, etc.

Idyllwild is another local area we have gone, specifically camping at Hurkey Creek. I have no idea if they allow trailers, but one nice thing about camping there is the availability of pay showers. It can get really hot this time of year, though.

Best of luck in your search!

we go to carpinteria SB every year. I have gone for the last 18years! we love it there. Just south of Santa Barbara. You could take a day trip up there to check it out. In a small town with cute resttaurants and shops plus you are right on the beach. It books EARLY. 6 months out. We have a New Years Day #2 party at 8 am on Jan. 2 so that we can book for July. Our trip is in a few weeks and I just can't wait. there is tent camping and areas for RVs but many can do both if you want. There are also restrooms and showers (hot water for 2 mins. is a quarter) so its civilized =0) That is probably the fartherst North I would go for a beach. Much further will be on the cold side. enjoy!

Bishop! It's beautiful out there! We are campers/off roaders and we took this trip last year and it was absolutley beautiful. We stayed at Millpond Campground and were able to ride up into the mountains directly from there. I highly recommend it!