Road Trips Starting from Los Angeles, CA
Best National Parks Near Los Angeles, CA
If you travel 68 miles from Los Angeles, you'll arrive in Ventura. From there, you'll be able to take a boat or a plane to the stunning Channel Islands National Park. Within this park's 250,000 acres, you'll find plenty of places to kayak, hike, canoe, dive, and snorkel. You can even go on a backcountry camping adventure.
The entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is 130 miles west of Los Angeles. This 1,200-mile stretch of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts contains plenty of rock formations, mountain vistas, and the unique Joshua Trees from which the park takes its name. Some exciting things to do in this park include climbing, hiking, stargazing, mountain biking, and bird watching.
Sequoia National Park is 200 miles north of Los Angeles. No trip to this part of the United States is complete without taking in some of this region's famous giant trees, so you'll enjoy hiking in this park's sequoia groves. Horseback riding and rock climbing are also popular here, and if you visit during the winter, you'll also be able to snowshoe and ski.
Popular State Parks Near Los Angeles, CA
Dockweiler State Beach is about 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles near the Los Angeles International Airport. The main attraction here is the park's three miles of shoreline, which is a great place to go surfing, swimming, and surf fishing. On the shoreline, you can spot clams, plovers, beach dollars, and even sea lions. If you want to bike, jog, or stroll, you can take advantage of the park's well-maintained South Bay Bicycle Trail.
You can reach Bolsa Chica State Beach by driving 33 miles from Los Angeles. When you're not swimming or surfing in the water, you can sunbathe or picnic on the beach. Hiking and biking are also common here, thanks to the presence of several lovely trails in the park. If you want to get a better look at some of this area's plant life, you should check out the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.
Malibu Creek State Park is about 35 miles west of Los Angeles. This gorgeous park is located in the Santa Monica Mountains and is home to the filming locations of several TV shows and movies. When you hike, bike, and kayak in this beautiful state park, you'll understand why some of its visitors call it "The Yosemite of Southern California."
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near Los Angeles, CA
Malibu Creek State Park is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, so you can easily explore more of this stunning part of California on your visit to LA. This sizable conglomeration of parks, preserves, research areas, and more is over 156,000 acres. Whether you want to climb a mountain, swim on a beach, or explore historic locations, you'll have no shortage of fun activities to do at this fascinating national site.
César E. Chávez National Monument is approximately 125 miles north of Los Angeles and half an hour south of the entrance to Sequoia National Forest. This national site pays tribute to labor activists like Cesar Chavez, who is buried in the park along with his wife. Be sure to check out the visitor center so that you can learn more about the influential members and martyrs of the labor movement in California. You can also pay your respects in the Memorial Garden and see some flora from the Sonoran Desert in the Garden of the Southwest.
If you want to explore some of the San Diego area, you should drive 125 miles southeast of Los Angeles to the Cabrillo National Monument. This national site is named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who was the first European to walk upon what would become America's West Coast. One popular activity here is to explore the Point Loma Tide Pools, which are teeming with marine wildlife. You should also visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, which is a decommissioned lighthouse that was built in 1855 and offers stellar views of the coast.
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
Closer to Los Angeles, there are plenty of top-notch RV campgrounds where you can park your camper. One of these is Dockweiler RV Park, which is 20 miles from downtown LA and half a mile from Dockweiler State Beach. If you want to camp on the beach, then this may be the ideal campground for you. Amenities include showers, laundry facilities, and strong cell reception.
If you'd rather stay close to Disneyland, then you should check out Anaheim RV Park, which is less than a mile from the entrance to the House of Mouse. You can even take a bus to Disneyland from the RV park for convenience. Other amenities include a pool, dog walking services, and bathrooms.
Should you prefer to stay in the Malibu area, then you might want to choose Malibu Beach RV Park, which is 32 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. The views of the coast and ocean are stellar here, and the park features full hookups as well as back-in and pull-through sites.
RV Dump Stations Near Los Angeles, CA
Multiple free dump stations near Los Angeles are conveniently available. One of these is at the Lake Perris Service Rest Area, which is 28 miles from the San Bernardino National Forest. Another is located at the Silverwood Lake Service Rest Area, which is just 18 miles from the San Bernardino National Forest. You could also take advantage of the free dump station at the Riverside Sewer Treatment Plant, which is 50 miles east of Los Angeles. The Lee Lake Water District also has a free dump station 55 miles east of Los Angeles.
If you camp at Bolsa Chica State Beach, then you can use their dump station for free; otherwise, you'll need to pay $10 per use. You could also use the dump station at Doheny State Beach, which costs $15 for the general public to access.
