Surfing while you're camping in the great outdoors highlights one of the unique features of the Southern California adventure. Bluff-top campgrounds, coastal front-range parks, tide-pool exploration, and warm beaches underneath blue skies with breathtaking views are all part of the Southern California camping experience. Campground facilities are available for outdoorsmen of every type. Consider the following locations if you are looking to camp in Southern California.
This park is rich with history; it was home to the Chumash Native American People for years. The park features 15 miles of winding trails alongside streams and cuts through majestic woods, which are comprised of mighty oaks and sycamores. The family and group campsites offer stunning landscapes, highlighted by jagged mountains, deep gorges, and cliff-like slopes. The park features hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, swimming and horseback trails.
Malibu Creek State Park
1925 Las Virgenes Road
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 880-0367
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=614
Located in the San Bernardino National Forrest, Big Bear is a popular destination for campers during both warm and snowy seasons. The Serrano Campground, located on the North Side of the lake, provides a number of recreational and leisure activities available for the entire family, such as the "Nature Night" seminars, weekend campfires and other activities hosted by the nearby Big Bear Discovery Center. In addition, Serrano campgrounds provide hook-ups for RVs and motor homes. The campground provides easy access to the lake, as well as the Alpine Pedal Path and Cougar Crest Trail.
The Pineknot Campgrounds is a beautifully wooded area near the Snow Summit Ski Area, which is a favorite for rugged outdoorsmen, camping in tents or mountain biking up and down the hilly trails.
In between both sites, campers can enjoy Moonridge Animal Park, "Home of the Grizzlies." Home to a few San Bernardino Forest animals, this facility provides an educational zoo-like atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Big Bear Campgrounds
P.O.B. 290
North Shore Dr.
Fawnskin, California 92333
Ranger Station (909) 866-3437
Camping Reservations 1 (877) 444-6777
www.forestcamping.com/dow/pacficsw/sanbinfo.htm
For the 16th consecutive year, Orange County Register readers voted Doheny State Beach Park the best camping site in Orange County. Doheny's beachfront camping facilities allow for barbeques, family picnics, volleyball, hiking and alcohol consumption. The 62-acre park provides 170 picnic tables spread throughout a 5-acre lawn. In addition, it provides 121 sites for RV parking or tents. During the day, visitors can have fun on the sandy beach by surfing, swimming or exploring tide pools. At night, campers can warm up by using one of the 33 fire rings.
Doheny State Beach Park
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 496-6172
http://dohenystatebeach.org/
Lake Casitas Recreational Area, located in Ventura County, presents more than 15 different campgrounds along the north side of the lake. Lake Casitas offers family, couples, and individuals a variety of outdoor experiences, ranging from basic campsites with dirt pads and essentials used by many tent campers, to executive hook-up sites with concrete pads and water, sewage, electric and TV reception hookups. In addition, large and small group camping areas are available. Whether you want to be situated lakeside--close to water activities--or hidden away in the trees in a serene setting surrounded by woodlands and overlooking breathtaking views Lake Casitas, these campgrounds offer something for everybody. Children, in particular, can enjoy the Water Adventure Park, while others may enjoy Lake Casitas' bass fishing, hiking, swimming, boating, biking, bird watching and disc golf.
Lake Casitas Recreation Area
11311 Santa Ana Road
Ventura, CA 93001.
Reservations (805) 649-1122
www.lakecasitas.info/camping.html
