Beach camping close to Los Angeles

[caken]

OK...so I have been trying to find a great lake to camp out where you can keep the boat in the water overnight and camp right at the water.

We usually go to Lake Mohave on the Colorado River but I am looking for something a little closer. We have done Lake Isabella before but found it way too windy.

Does anyone have any other suggestions??? Any help is appreciated

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

i heard you can camp at silverwood lake. im not sure about castaic, havent been there for years. dont even know if its still there lol.

 

[Phantom_II]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

No camping at all at Castaic.

Silverwood has camping, but not on the beach. Once upon a time, they would rent slips for short term use so you could leave your boat in the water while camping but it's been years since I've been there so I don't know if that is still true.

Piru also has camping but also not on the beach. They still rent slips to campers though.

I don't know of any lakes in So. Cal. that have beach sites. I had the same idea and had been crawling the web looking for places with no luck. There are a few up north though I haven't personally tried any of them.

 

[meadland]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

LAKE Berryessa up north is the only lake i have found you can do that. Depending where you are its a bit of a drive but a pretty cool lake .

 

[QC]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

What's your boat like? Catalina boat camping is awesome! Also I think Nacimiento has what you are looking for, but that's almost as far as the Riv depending on where you are.

FWIW, the best boat cam,ping I have found is at Havasu. Great state owned and maintained sites that are only accessible by water, some on Islands too. Just thought I'd mention as you already do the Mohave thing . . .

 

[AngelC]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

Bass lake is beautiful..also you can anchor your boat out overnight there, but is probably the same distance for me as the river. Although I found that it was a much easier tow and I burned a lot less fuel. From Los Angeles to Bass Lake it is 290 miles.

 

[caken]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

Those are all good suggestions. I wish there were more lakes close by. I am up at Castaic almost every weekend during the day, but I love camping with the boat.

I have a 20ft Larson and I don't feel comfortable taking it to Catalina. I hear the camping over there is amazing. Now all I need is a bigger boat

QC - I also really would love to check out Havasu but I have always heard it is kind of a crazy unsafe lake to be on. Is this true? What about Park Moabi? I have heard great things about that but think it is about the same distance

 

[QC]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

Havasu is what you make it. The Channel on a Summer weekend is crazy, but the camping spots can be very mellow.

Moabi is wonderful, but that's basically the entrance to Havasu and the infamous Sandbar is only 15 minutes away. The downside to Moabi is water temp in the river there is very cold. Other than that it is fantastic. Do a search for both here. I have posted a lot about the campsites and both locations.

 

[MRS]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

Havasu is great for camping just do not go on a holiday weekend. Like QC said the sites are great I think the island one is the best. Plus QC will agree with this you must go to the channel once just to LOOK. Plus down at the other end there are a few campgrounds around sandy point area I can't remember the names of them.

 

[QC]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

Heck I go in the Channel just once . . . every day

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Beach camping close to Los Angeles

Havasu landing on the CA side is a good place to go camping. It is a more relaxed area to kick back in. I used to go there all the time, It gives you more of A feelling that you are away from the city life. http://www.havasulanding.com/ . Now if you are or have younger kids that want be in the mix of every thing, Then you would want to try crazy horse camp ground.http://www.crazyhorsecampgrounds.com/. Even there if you go on a normal week or weekend it not that bad, But if you go on a big weekend, Well then the name will live up to it's self for sure.: