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. Kirk Creek Campground, CA Kirk Creek Campground is an oceanside paradise, with each site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Login. El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbra The El Capitan beach claims to be one of the best beach camping sites in southern California, with its surrounding sycamore and oak trees making it even more splendid. Share Via . There once was a travel site based on the East Coast, who tried to cover everything in California - even the small lakes.DanaMite emailed to inform them that their Smith Lake link was pointing to another Smith Lake in a totally different county. From Bass Lake glamping to an alpine tour, these are the five best lakeside campsites in California, all within reasonable driving distance of the Bay Area. So today we’ve compiled our five favorite lakeside camping experiences up and down the state of California. Additionally, since southern California tends to stay warm year-round, swimming and playing in the area lakes is almost always an option. To say California is known for its beaches would be an understatement. Sunscreen is also a must, especially if you will be out on the water where the sun’s rays can be reflected onto your skin. You can find some awesome glamping sites spread out around this part of the state – from desert tents to lush forest bases. Try out the following camping sites in California with lakes. The small lake can only accommodate smaller watercraft like canoes and gas motors and inflatables are now allowed. Elsinore is a very large lake that can handle jet skis and swimmers side by side with canoes and water-skiers. 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. We stumbled upon McGrath State Beach when all the campsites in Malibu were sold out. Below find some of the best campgrounds and places to camp in California. RV travel is incredibly popular in the rock climbing crowd. With some of the best camping in Southern California, reservations are not required, but during the summer months when tourist season is high, they’re highly recommended. It’s beautiful year-round, but particularly so in winter, when the surrounding pine-treed and bare rock mountains are covered with snow, giving the whole area a distinctly Alaskan feel. Anglers are required to pay a fishing fee, but a fishing license is not required. 21 Best RV Campgrounds in California, According to Campers [2019] Britany Robinson 2020-03-21. Less than an hour from LA, Lake Piru Recreation Area is in an absolutely amazing location. 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. Additionally, lakes are perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. Of course, California is a big state with hundreds - if not thousands - of campsites. (The western shore fills faster than the eastern.) California's Best Lake Camping . In California, children under 16 do not need a license at all, while seniors can acquire a license at a discounted price. From the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada to the remote mountain scenery of the Marble Mountains in the Trinity Alps, there’s nothing quite like a lakeside campsite in the Golden State. This lake is perfect for water sports, so keep that in mind when making your plans. It was a great find just off Port Hueneme in Oxnard. Campsites include electric and water hookups, providing the perfect place to return to after a day at the lake. The land where ‘Ski, surf, hike, and camp in one California day’ rings true. RV Parks. Hesperia Lake Campground is about an hour away from Riverside, California. Mugu in Ventura County (which means you can have your dogs on the beach by the campsite, just on a leash). Trails are available for hiking, and many sites have a view of the lake. It is surrounded on three sides by the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and offers amazing views. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Mail. Best camping sites sunset southern california campgrounds map camping spots in southern california lake arrowhead the alps of southernPlaces To Go Camping Los Angeles For San Diego is 16 miles from this campground, which offers 300 full hookup sites with 50 amp electricity. 9. Alpine View Campground at Trinity Lake Tucked away in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Alpine View Campground is a wonderful place to get away and enjoy all that Trinity Lake has to offer. California Free Camping: Campendium has 1681 reviews of 530 places to camp for free in California. We spent the day exploring Silverwood Lake Recreational California State Area. California's Best Camping covers more than 600 of the finest campgrounds in California. It’s hidden among 350 acres of rolling hills dotted with oak and sycamore trees, with accommodation in furnished cedar cabins, adventure yurts or canvas safari tents that sit atop raised wooden decks with screen windows and doors. Best Lakes in Southern California 1. From jet skiing and camping adventures to high-end spas and world-class resorts, check out these six top lake destinations in Southern California. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images ). Below are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to lake campgrounds in CA. Choose a region to narrow your choices and we'll guide you to the best Southern California campgrounds. You are here. This campsite near Corona spans 2,280 acres near Prado Park lake. This gorgeous body of water has been nicknamed “The Jewel of the Sierra”, and when you see it, you’ll understand why. Partial hookups are … Browse pictures, read reviews and reserve the best Southern California campsites on Hipcamp. . Facilities include restrooms with showers, coin laundry, snack bar and bait shop. California’s eight magnificent national parks include Yosemite, home to Half Dome. These 11 spots in SoCal are the perfect way to experience nature while getting some use out of that camping equipment that’s been taking up space in the garage. Lakes, mountains, and beaches - Southern California campgrounds offer a spectacular array of camping choices to match everyone's interests. Big Five Lakes, Southern Sierra: A 27-mile trail through Sequoia National Park. The camp store has everything you might need to enjoy your trip, and clean restrooms here certainly make things more comfortable. Even the desert area of Southern California offers the potential for lakeside camping. Clearly, northern California is a great place to find campsites in California near lakes. Fishing in the lake means trout in the spring and catfish and bass in early summer. Additionally, adults who will be spending time on the water should wear life jackets. California's Best Family Vacation Campgrounds. . Mesa Campground at Silverwood Lake is a very comfortable place to stay during your lakeside adventure. No, swimming is not always allowed. Sadly she found many geographic mistakes in their huge nationwide database. This is where you’ll find dense forests, some of the largest trees imaginable, and all the animals that come along with such habitats. The state has a coastline 840 miles long and more than 420 public beaches. Therefore, if swimming is important to you, you will want to do some research before booking any campsite. Comprising of 133 sites which are all equipped with tables and fire pit, there is provision for luxurious cabin and tent camping. These tent and tipi camping sites in Southern California make some of the best summer getaways on the West Coast. Situated in Southern California’s Colorado Desert, this expanse offers 12 wilderness areas to discover. A lovely private campground, North Shore Campground offers sites with absolutely incredible views, RV hookups, and paved pads. A boat ramp is located nearby, and catfish, trout, salmon, and bass can all be caught in the lake. Vacation rentals in the city of Big Bear Lake, on the lake’s south shore, offer convenient access to marinas for renting boats and trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in the surrounding forest. Anglers who prefer bass can find them in East Lake 3 and 5. One of the most popular water recreation areas in the state, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is a great place to boat, fish, and swim. Camping on the Colorado. Browse our guide to the best family camping spots in California. For instance, Santa Clara County doesn’t allow swimming in lakes at all. And it’s easy to see why – the coast’s (mostly) moderate climate, slow pace, proximity to activities like water sports, hiking or biking and picturesque views have made it a California camping destination for people from all over the world. Don’t forget your sunscreen! His writing has been referenced in books ranging from "The Reckless Life...of Marlon Brando" to "Brand New China: Advertising, Media and Commercial and from Scarface Nation to Incentive!". Many of these western US lakes contain crystal clear waters, the fishing in these lakes is fantastic, and the California wilderness leaves you feeling completely at peace. 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