RV parks near Santa Monica And SAN Diego CA

[Fun333]

We would like to stay in the Santa Monica CA area for the month of January. State parks are booked well in advance. Can anyone suggest a good park within 30 minutes. Alternatively, we might be staying in San Diego. Would like recommendations for that area as well. Thx for your help.

[SlfMdeFam]

We spend at least 5 days a year in San Diego in the summer time at Mission Bay Rv Resort. Please don’t confuse that with Campland Rv Resort as that place is a cesspool of Raider fans with criminal records if you catch my drift. Mission Bay is a very clean Park and shares the same Bay as Sea World. Also, there’s a KOA in San Diego right on the Bay. If you are looking for an inland area of San Diego try out Santee Lakes. That’s one of our favorite spots if we are going inland.

[CurtPutnam]

We have stayed at the Metro KOA in San Diego (about 3 miles from the US/Mexican border). A little spendy but very nice if there are kids involved and it has the best dog park(s) we have ever seen. We've also stayed at Santee Lakes and can recommend it highly - if you can get reservations. They also have some very narrow, very tight turns not suitable for bigger rigs so pick your spot carefully.

[SlfMdeFam]

We've also stayed at Santee Lakes and can recommend it highly - if you can get reservations. They also have some very narrow, very tight turns not suitable for bigger rigs so pick your spot carefully.[/QUOTE]


Correct. If you have a bigger rig or even a truck trailer set up and go to Santee you want to be in spots 199 or higher, most of those spots are pull through.

[SlfMdeFam]

Originally Posted by Fun333

We would like to stay in the Santa Monica CA area for the month of January. State parks are booked well in advance. Can anyone suggest a good park within 30 minutes. Alternatively, we might be staying in San Diego. Would like recommendations for that area as well. Thx for your help.

May I ask what brings you to SoCal or maybe what you are trying to see while here and maybe that’ll help a few of us locals help you out better.

[Svtyone]

If wanting inland Santee Lakes is nice there are also 3 different sun land rv resorts within 20 min of the ocean but are a bit cheaper. Also look into Lake Jennings but I beleive they have a size limit.

[CHICKDOE]

dockweiler state beach, if you can get in

[SDPadsfan]

Look into the San Diego County Parks. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park is a nice park with full hookups about 20min. From downtown. Just make sure your spot is in the new section.

[emason83]

Look at Chula Vista RV resort for San Diego. It is on the southern tip of San Diego Bay, right on the bay. It is a ways from downtown San Diego (closer than the KOA) but you have access to the trolly within a mile. The park itself is great all spaces are level cement with plenty of space (for S. Ca). A lot of restaurants in the area also.

[Dan n Gerda]

Gerda and I live in San Diego; as well as being avid FR RVers! Just want to say the advice you are receiving is very solid! My words of caution are book as soon as your arrival and departure dates are firm! If you want something closer to LaLa Land, Newport has a huge but a bit pricey RZ park! Doheny State Park and Beach another (Elec and Water only and severe pet restrictions)! Loud on holidays!
If you don't tow a toad take that into consideration unless you will rent a car! We do have crime! Don't be paranoid but be aware of where you are at all times especially after dark (5 pm right now)! BTW, if you are retired military there are added options at very low cost! Dan & Gerda

[mlmay12]

I like the parks on the beach like San Elijo, San Clemente and Carlsbad. It is pretty easy to get mid week reservations in the Winter but if you want one for a month its not feasible as many State Park Campgrounds limit stay to 14 days at a time. Santee is very nice as is Mission Bay.

[cadman42]

In September, 2014 we stayed at Paradise by the Sea RV Park in Oceanside, CA Nice place but tight spaces.
You might want to check the DelMar Fairgrounds. Suggesting that because we stayed at the fairgrounds in Sacramento and had a good experience.

[Dpelaez]

Best one i know about is Malibu Veach Rv Resort on pasific coast hwy. 3 tiers on a cliff overlooking Malibu beach. You can hear the waves at night . I was there last month and paid 45/ nite. You can walk down the hill to a fish market with great prices and daily fresh fish . Short bike ride to Malibu city center. The state park 2 miles from there was charging the same price for no hook ups? This place is full service and great location.

[mtnlvr]

Dockweiler RV Park is next to Santa Monica. It is the only rv park in west LA other than Malibu. Unfortunately it is closed for the month of January for annual maintenance. Malibu RV Park is very pricey. Usually around $80. a night depending on the space selected. The sites are very close together and can be tricky to back into. Malibu Seafood is next door and the food is excellent. (It gets very crowded though.) The State Parks have availability on weekdays in January, just full on Fri./Sat. nights. Leo Carillo State Park is my favorite and now had some sites w/ electric. It is the only beach in West LA that allows dogs on the beach if you travel with a dog/s. (You can also take dogs on the public access ways on the local private beaches.) It also depends on how long your rig is; if larger than approx. 33' you won't fit. If your rig is small enough, I would recommend a State Park in Malibu week nights and move to the pricier private Malibu RV Park on Sat./Sun. if you don't mind pulling up camp. ( I lived in Malibu for 30 years so I know the area well.)

[Fun333]

We are visiting our grandchildren ages 12, 7 and 6 who live in Santa Monica. Ideally, we can be close enough to see them after school until bedtime and will have a short drive back to our rv. We will probably take the rv to other areas like San Diego or maybe San Francisco on the weekend for fun outings.

I can't thank everyone enough for your suggestions. You guys Rock!!