Lake Almanor is the perfect place for boating and fishing, and a boat ramp and fish-cleaning station are found inside the campground. Whether you live in the Golden State or are visiting on a road trip, you’ll want to experience camping and waking up on the beach at least once in your life. Hike the Nicholas Flat Trail for coastal views. Trails are available for hiking, and many sites have a view of the lake. Stake your spot under the stars with our list of the best campgrounds in Southern California. Lake camping is also a Northern California specialty, ... Additional Camping in California: To check out what the southern half of the state has to offer, the best campgrounds in Southern California have campers spending the night in the desert, in the mountains, and next to the ocean. Southern California's Most Popular Camping Regions. From jet skiing and camping adventures to high-end spas and world-class resorts, check out these six top lake destinations in Southern California. Leo Carrillo State Park - Great amenities at the campground with a short stroll to scenic beaches. Castaic Lake State Recreation Area offers campsites that make it possible to stay overnight, and the lake itself offers activities such as water skiing, lifeguard training, fishing, and more. Speaking of the Golden State’s mid-region, Pismo State Beach and Monterey State Beach are coastal gems. Close to popular Zuma Beach. Additionally, lakes are perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. San Diego is 16 miles from this campground, which offers 300 full hookup sites with 50 amp electricity. You are here. Partial hookups are … From San Diego beaches to the Redwood Empire, From Big Bear and Silverwood to Shasta and Trinity, & all up and down the Sierra Nevada. The park has a swim beach as well as a fishing area, and the hiking trail beside the lake is a wonderful way to soak in the beauty of nature. Family Campgrounds in Northern California . One of the most popular water recreation areas in the state, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is a great place to boat, fish, and swim. Discover the adventures that await you. Speaking of the Golden State’s mid-region, Pismo State Beach and Monterey State Beach are coastal gems. Most California lakes do allow boating. Knowing your RV inside and out is always a good idea. It was a great find just off Port Hueneme in Oxnard. Share Via . Some of the best camping near Lake Tahoe is at DL Bliss State Park. For lakeside camping, look no further than the banks of Big Bear Lake and 100-plus RV and tent sites at the Serrano Campground. Bliss State Park Campground. Donner Lake is small by California Lake standards, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in scenery. RV travel is incredibly popular in the rock climbing crowd. Elsinore is a very large lake that can handle jet skis and swimmers side by side with canoes and water-skiers. In California, children under 16 do not need a license at all, while seniors can acquire a license at a discounted price. Even the desert area of Southern California offers the potential for lakeside camping. This allows you to…, In honor of the National Park Service’s 100th year of managing the country’s system of amazing national parks – sometimes…, If you’re a snow sports enthusiast, you know there’s nothing like zipping down the hill on your skis or snowboard…, Everything you need to know about RVing you can learn from the big screen. The Top 10 Best Places to Go Camping in Southern California Moni on August 15, 2013 / 24 comments Several friends have asked me for campsite recommendations near and around Los Angeles, and instead of piecing together an email each time, now I’ll be prepared to send them the following slideshow. Less than an hour from LA, Lake Piru Recreation Area is in an absolutely amazing location. A lake offers opportunities for fishing, kayaking, boating, and swimming, meaning there is plenty of fun to be had. That said, there are exceptions to this rule, and some regulations apply when boating in the state. Hesperia Lake Campground is about an hour away from Riverside, California. Of course, if you’re going to experience California lake camping, you will want to make sure you find the best places to do so. This lake is perfect for water sports, so keep that in mind when making your plans. California Free Camping: Campendium has 1681 reviews of 530 places to camp for free in California Facilities include restrooms with showers, coin laundry, snack bar and bait shop. Big Bear Lake Here you’ll have access to a campsite that can accommodate a 15-foot trailer or 18-foot motorhome, and you can even choose a lakefront site! Complete with 11,000-plus acres, this freshwater lake in Kern County is the ideal spot for fishing enthusiasts. You’ll pass Grass Lake on the way to your destination on this 6-mile out-and-back trail to Rock Lake and Jamison Lake; pick a view and grab a campsite. This is where you’ll find dense forests, some of the largest trees imaginable, and all the animals that come along with such habitats. Login. Keep in mind that the water level of all these lakes will vary according to current drought conditions in the state. These tent and tipi camping sites in Southern California make some of the best summer getaways on the West Coast. Set up camp at one of seven seasonal campgrounds including popular Manzanita Lake which features tent sites and spiffy camping cabins, and … Oddly enough, one of the very best things about living in L.A. is how quickly you can get out of L.A. for a much-needed respite. Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort offers campers some seriously awesome views of the lake, Shasta National Forest, and the majestic Mount Shasta. California's Best Family Vacation Campgrounds. Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Bring fishing poles and surfboards. The camp store has everything you might need to enjoy your trip, and clean restrooms here certainly make things more comfortable. Lake Havasu is a reservoir of nearly 20,000 acres along the Colorado River. Southern California is an amazing destination with all kinds of landscapes on offer. El Capitan Canyon offers luxury camping about 15 minutes north of Santa Barbara just steps from El Capitan State Beach. That's why we've picked 25 of the best spots across the state for your next camping trip. Don’t forget your sunscreen! The beauty of California stretches from its deserts, to forests, to beaches; all waiting for you to explore. That said, lake camping in northern California during the chilly months can still be fun even without the swimming aspect. . This campsite near Corona spans 2,280 acres near Prado Park lake. © 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Campgrounds Near Lake Gregory in San Bernardino, California. Browse pictures, read reviews and reserve the best Southern California campsites on Hipcamp. However, some states do offer exceptions for young children and the elderly. http://ultramodern-hotels.com The Best Spots for Camping in California. Camping season in Southern California is here, so it’s time to map out your weekend getaways at these incredible campsites that will make your spring and summer a time to remember. When most people think of an RV road trip, their mind may gravitate to cross-country adventures along flat, country roads…. Camp better. The best lake camping in California. 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