hi i'm looking for a family friendly camping ground for a weekend, my kids love to camp but i'm noy familiar with any around L.A., orange county or san bernardino would also be o.k. thanks!
If you like the beach area San Elijo outside of Carlsbad and San Clemente are the best. Clothes are not opitional they are a must. J/K We camp every year with lots of friends and the beach is right below you and the kids love it~
ReserveAmerica is another great camping website. Be prepared to reserve 7 months ahead.
There's a few campgrounds by Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernardino mountains. There are a ton of things to do up there for kids. It's really fun. Bring bikes - there are some nice bike paths. There's an Alpine Slide that's so fun, a petting zoo, a place to dig for gold, etc. Google Big Bear Lake and you'll find lots of stuff, and the exact name of the campground.
Hi. I'm 22 with three babies of my own and for as long as I can remember, my family has our reunion in one of three camping grounds in Malibu for a weekend every year; Leo Carrillo, Point Mugu, and Malibu Creek. There are more but those are the only three we like. Although, I'm not sure 'cause I don't participate in the planning and such but I believe you have to make reservations about half a year ahead of time. Or that could just be that my family is just so big that we're reserving so much space.
Anyway, we always have lots of fun and get plenty of memories doing so.
Go to http://www.parks.ca.gov/ and check it out.
Good luck and have fun!!
C.,
We enjoy camping at Lake Cachuma which is north of Santa Barbara. It's on the lake where you can rent boats and go fishing and there is a general store within the park, a cafe on the lake (for ice cream!), a pool and a playground and it has bathrooms and showers. Very nice place. No reservations necessary, it's first come, first serve and it's huge so it will only fill up on summer holiday weekends. It will be nice during the fall and winter if you are looking to camp during that time. Also near wine country. Good luck!
Here's a link to the online database for California State Park Campgrounds. http://www.parks.ca.gov/parkindex/ It is a great way to research the campgrounds and the you can book through their online reservation system. A favorite of our is Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, which is about 50 miles east of San Diego. (We live in Torrance and it's an easy drive for a weekend getaway.) If you stay there, Green Valley is a better campsite than Paso Picacho. I've also stayed in Morro Beach, which is okay, and Big Sur, which is wonderful. Although I've never stayed there, I have friends that love El Capitan, San Onofre, and Carpinteria. Good luck and have a great trip!
If you like the mountains you can't go wrong with camping in The Angeles National Forest. Chilao campground off the 2 is a favorite of ours as it is close to a visitor's center (although with cutbacks this is currently closed but the educational trail regarding the Indians who lived in that area is still open) and close to Newcombs Ranch which is great if you want a break from cooking over a campfire. There is a lot of great hiking available and this year we did not have any bear encounters. Water is scarce so you have to bring your own, but it's only an hour and a half from most area's of LA so very convenient. Otherwise anywhere on the coast North of Santa Barbara is great including some of the private campgrounds that have added bonuses such as hot showers, pools, hot tubs etc.
Another family favorite is Two Harbors on Catalina Island. The campground is 1/4 mile from the dock and the Rangers will haul all your gear down to the site. Much to explore there and close to a shop and restaurant.
Have fun
My family loves Lake Casitas in Ojai because you can rent trailers through the Lake and they are there waiting for you on your campsite when you arrive. (Of course they have tent camping too.) It also has several playgrounds, a general store, bike rentals, lots of nearby eateries and a cute little water park for the warmer summer months.
We have also heard good things about Vail Lake in Temecula but we've never been there ourselves.
Malibu creek, San Clemente, Dana Point. Santee lakes in San Diego county is awesome.
We stay at Kaweah Park resort in Three Rivers. It's great!!! They have a pool, clean restrooms & showers, a sandy beach at the river and there's lots of hiking trails nearby too. They also sell ice cream at the store. There's always lots of families and kids that stay there, we go every year! It's about a 3 hour drive from Orange county, I hope that's not too far for you but it's definitely worth it. You can also rent a cabin if you don't want to rough it. Their website is www.kaweahparkresort.com
We LOVE Hurkey Creek Campground. It is in Mountain Center CA, Riverside County. Easy to get to, right outside Idyllwild. The rangers are nice, there is a playground, coin showers and bathrooms. We have 5 children 14,9,8,6, and 17months. We just got back abd plan to go again Thanksgiving weekend. It does get chilly this time of year *at night), but we dress in layers.I lost my glasses up there and called them, although they looked for them and could not find them, they still called me back. We even got married up there (second marriage). Bring fire wood, it is really expensive.
Every summer we go to Dana Point (Doheney Beach) for a week. They have tent sites and RV sites. You are right on the beach and they have a central camp ground with many activities (volleyball, bike rentals, water sports). You are also 5 miles from San Juan Capistrano. Bring the bikes and you can ride all over the city. There are cliffs to ride too and many other things. You can get more information about all state parks online. They have all types of activities all year round, so even though it might be too cold to go in the water, it is still a great, friendly and nice place to stay.
Carpinteria state beach is great when camping during the summer with kids because of the beach access, not to mention there is a grocery store near by and other shops.
There are many great campgrouds if you are a member of AAA you can go and pick up a ton of maps of campgrounds. If you want a great getaway for camping two suggestions are the beach (carpenteria area is one of our favs) and also kern river - lake isabella area. Both have great camping locations however if you go to lake isabella camp up near the lake not in the canyon by the river - this river is dangerous and not for swimming again go on tripleA's website or type in southern california campgrounds. or with all our wild fires why not pitch a tent in your back yard go to home depot and purchase for cheap a screened fire pit (small ones run about 40$) and camp out in your back yard or let the kids camp out and you are close enough by.
We just stayed at Newport Dunes in Newport Beach this past weekend and there are both campsites and bungalos to rent. I found the campsites too close together, but other than that it was nice. There are things for the kids to do, especially in the summer, and you're close to other points of interest. The only down side is that it's pretty pricy, especially in the summer.
Lake Casitas has a very nice campground. It's near Ventura, off the 101 fwy. They have a web site www.lakecasitas.info.
We went there in August, and it was warm during the day, but chilly in the early morning. Beautiful spot. Have fun.
HI C.,
I am so glad you asked this question, I have been checking to see what all the mommas are suggesting. You have gotten me into wanting to take the family camping, so after the holidays I'm hoping, such a great family activity and fairly cheap, once you've got all the right gear. My suggestion is Idyllwild(sp)we went last year with my sister and her family and it was beautiful, its very well maintained, clean, showers etc. They also had a little educational demonstration of all the local birds for the kids, lots of fun!!
I can't wait to read more ideas!!
M.
Here's one more..we used to go to McGrath State Beach when my son was little. It is in Ventura. You are steps from the beach and just minutes from Restaurants, shopping, and the marina which features an arcade.
Dear C.,
I am making an unusual suggestion, but something that has worked for my family: visit a family nudist campground. They are much SAFER than public campgrounds, since they screen every single person that comes in the door, and there is a community feeling from the members who are especially welcoming to families with children your age. Some are also clothing-optional, meaning only in the water (pool, hot tub, lake) are swimsuits definitely off, but they do not require this of children.
I am going camping at Deep Creek hot springs near Bowen Ranch on Thanksgiving weekend, hiking and soaking, with my family and small son.
Please contact me off-list for more info: into_german at mindspring dot com.
Have fun wherever you go!!
Love,
C.
Be sure to do some research about the campground that you choose since many may have burned in the last few days of fires.
