Category Archives: Campsites

LA RV Parks

Los Angeles RV Parks / Parks Los Angeles

RV Park Los Angeles / RV Parks in LA

Long BEach Camping
Birmingham RV Park
Van Nuys, CA

Camp Williams Resort & Campground
24210 East Fork Rd
Azusa, CA
626 910-1126

East Shore RV Park
San Dimas, CA

Golden Shore RV Resort
Long Beach, CA

Malibu Beach RV Park
Malibu, CA

Mountain View RV Park
714 W Harvard Blvd
Santa Paula, CA
805 933-1942

Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort
36-100 Date Palm Dr.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
140 full hook-ups

Soledad Canyon RV Resort

4700 Crown Valley Rd
Acton, CA
877-864-2728
59 trailers, 8 cabins

Soledad Canyon RV Resort
LA RV CAmpground

Walnut RV Park
Northridge, CA

RV in Southern California

RV Parks Temecula / Lake Hemet RV

Southern California RV Parks / RV Camping

socal RV Campground

Casa Del Sol RV Resort
2750 W Acacia Ave
Hemet CA
909 925-2515

Cowboy Country RV
Anza, CA
951 763-1070

Idyllwild RV Resort

24400 Canyon Dr
Pine Cove, CA
877-864-2728
4 trailers, 11 cabins

Idyllwild RV Resort
Idyllwild RV Camping

Lake Hemet Campground
56570 Highway 74
Mountain Center, CA
951 659-2680

Mountain Valley RV Resort
235 S Lyon Ave
Hemet, CA
800-926-5593
951-925-5593

Palm Springs Oasis RV Resort
36-100 Date Palm Dr.
Cathedral City, CA 92234
877-864-2728
140 full hook-ups

Palm Springs RV Resort

77500 Varner Road
Palm Desert, CA
877-864-2728

24 trailers, 2 cottages
2 park models, 1 cabin

Palm Springs RV Resort
Palm Springs RV Campground
Pio Pico RV Resort
14615 Otay Lakes Rd
Jamul, CA
877-864-2728
23 trailers, 6 cabins
horse corrals
Pio Pico RV Resort

Reflection Lake RV Park & Campground
3440 Cottonwood Ave
San Jacinto, CA
951 654-7906

Soledad Canyon RV Resort

4700 Crown Valley Rd
Acton, CA
877-864-2728
59 trailers, 8 cabins

Soledad Canyon RV Resort
LA RV CAmpground

Tucalota Springs RV Park
41601 E Benton Rd
Sage, CA
951 767-0604

Vail Lake Village & RV Resort
38000 Highway 79 South
Temecula, CA
866 824-5525
951 303-0173

Wilderness Lakes RV Resort

30605 Briggs Rd
Menifee, CA
877-864-2728
10 trailers, 8 slide-outs
4 garden homes
4 park models, 8 cabins
accommodations
for the handicapped

Wilderness Lakes RV Resort
SoCal RV Camping

see more about these towns –

see also –

California Coast RV Parks

California Central Coast RV / RV Campgrounds

Central Coast RV Parks / RV Camping Central Coast

Pismo California

Avila Valley Hot Springs Spa & RV Park
Avila Beach, CA
805 595-2359

Betabel RV Park
9664 Betabel Rd
San Juan Bautista, CA
800-278-7275
831 623-2202

Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground
180 Avenue of the Flags
Buellton, CA
877 783-5247
805 688-3716

Highway Trailer & RV Park
1022 N. Broadway
Santa Maria CA
805 925-9230

Holiday RV Park
100 S. Dolliver
Pismo Beach CA
805 773-1121

Jalama Beach Park
Lompoc CA
805 736-3504

Le Sage Riviera RV Park
319 N Highway 1
Grover Beach, CA
805 489-5506

Morro Strand RV Park
800 799-6030
805 772-8232

Pacific Dunes RV Resort
1205 Silver Spur Place
Oceano, CA 93445
877-864-2728
50 amp, back-in, water, electric & sewer hookups

Pines Campground
2210 Preisker Lane
Santa Maria CA
805 928-9534

Pismo Coast Village
165 S. Dolliver
Pismo Beach CA
805 773-1811

Pismo Dunes Travel Park
200 S. Dolliver
Pismo Beach CA
805 773-4807

Pismo Sands RV Camp
2220 Hwy 1
Oceano CA
805 481-3225

San Francisco RV Resort
700 Palmetto Ave
Pacifica, CA
877-864-2728
182 sites

Santa Cruz Ranch RV Park
917 Disc Dr
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
877-864-2728
Full hook up, pull-thru sites

Santa Maria RV Park
1335 N. Broadway
805 922-4489

Silver Spur RV Park & Stables
RV Park & horseback riding
1207 Silver Spur Place
Oceano CA
888 908-7787
805 489-7787

La Paz RV Parks

Baja La Paz Camping & RV Parks

La Paz restaurants

The lower half. The beaches, the ranches, the cacti, the fishing, authetico, and we cannot forget the resorts. The capital of Baja Sur Mexico is La Paz, the major city of the southern region. Only an hours drive from the resort mecca Cabo Coastline or village of Todos Santos, the urban center has an airport, downtown, shopping, restaurants, auto repair services and a developed sea side port. Out near the Sea of Cortez you can find small inlets and bays with kayaking, snorkeling and primitive camping on white sandy beaches.

Aquamarine RV Park
La Paz, BC Mexico
011-52-612-122-3761

Los Aripez RV Park
La Paz, BC Mexico
01152-612-124-6090

Casa Blanca RV Park
La Paz, BC Mexico
01152-612-124-0009

El Cardon Trailer Park
La Paz, BC Mexico
01152-612-124-0078

La Paz RV Park
Brecha California No. 120
La Paz, BC Mexico
01152-612-122-4480
01152-612-122-8787

RV and California

San Francisco RV

Rodents have taken away my motorhome. It has been in storage for 3 years without use. Argghh!

Do you need to get away from city life more often? Make use of that beast. Or sell it to some deserving soul – who will use it.

If you are itching to get outta town and head for the high country with your fifth wheel or camper van or diesel pusher, this web site will indeed inspire you to travel more of California’s back roads. Motorhomes over 40 feet long should take note of California Highways limitations – see more on Cal Trans California

California Escapes
Marcelo’s rig in 1995? – for traveling the west promoting totalescape.com

Top RV camping pages for Cali

  • California A to Z
  • RV California
  • Gold Country RV
  • Sierra RV Parks
  • Eastern Sierra RV Park
  • High Sierra RV Park
  • Baja California RV Campgrounds
  • Picacho Park River Camping

    Los Padres Camping

    Los Padres Campgrounds
    Big Sur, Mount Pinos, Ojai, Santa Barbara, Santa Lucia

    Forests

    Los Padres National Forest campgrounds span the length of the California Central Coast, from the Monterey Bay to Los Angeles County. Choose a desired area:

    Big Sur Campgrounds

    Frazier Park Camping

    Mount Pinos Campgrounds

    Ojai Camping

    Santa Barbara Camping

    Santa Lucia Camping

    Bottcher Gap Campground
    Lush coastal campground is Bottchers Gap near Big Sur, CA

    Los Padres National Forest

    see also Los Padres Group Campgrounds

    maps of the Los Padres regions –

    Los Padres nearby towns & cities –

    Pine Mountain Club from ridge
    Pine Mountain Club from ridge

    San Diego Mountains

    San Diego Mountain / Hiking San Diego / SoCal Camping

    hiking San Diego

    San Diego forests & parks – 

    Cleveland National Forest

    Palomar Mountain State Park

    Anza Borrego Desert State Park

    San Diego maps & trails –

    San Diego mountain towns nearby Alpine, Descanso, Julian, Mount Laguna, Palomar, Ramona

    mt laguna lodge

    Split Mountain Anza Borrego

    Anza Borrego Desert State Park

    Fish Creek Campground

    E of Borrego Springs CA.

    Well off Highway 78, past the busy OHV area, quads at Ocotillo Wells, past all the rural homes & the redneck bar, past the Elephant Trees hike – where the road goes from pavement to graded dirt to a wild desert wash, in a few short miles. If you don’t know where you are, then you’re almost there.

    This is a large wild desert wash with huge unstable walls, several areas for wind caves and a few historic markers. Lots of 4×4 trails beyonf Split Mountain, to the south. No real water in sight, except maybe the puddle you are standing in as it starts to poor. The soft sand can give way to a few heavy rain drops. May not be a great area to be during a serious storm or flash flood possibility, unless you want to get buried alive. Check the weather forecast in advance.

    A ratty, small developed campground of Fish Creek is on the left side, upon the ledge. Fish Creek Campground is picnic tables & a pit toilet – at most. Ya may as well camp out in the open, off road, like the pioneers did. You can do that out here in Anza Borrego. (Just keep it clean & carry a metal fire container.)

    split mountain

    Split Mountain, Anza Borrego Desert State Park

    This portion of the “mountain” is less than a mile from Fish Creek Campground. Fossils can be found in these walls. Shade is good in summer months, when day temps reach 100+. The rest of the year is ideal weather. This mountain split from water, erosion, mega force. High walls, wind caves, desert washes, great primitive camping & 4×4 routes.

    This desert scenic drive will require you to get that SUV dusty. 4 wheel drive not required. No RVs past the campground. All low lying passenger cars are warned, there are uneven areas, soft sand & boulders.

    Duh, do not attempt this one when desert flash floods are possible.

    ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK

    ANZA BORREGO MAP

    SAN DIEGO BACKCOUNTRY MAP

    nearby towns –

  • BORREGO SPRINGS CA
  • OCOTILLO WELLS CA
  • SALTON SEA CA

    splitmountain

    Great desert back road exploring out here. A zillions washes & canyons.

  • Eastern Sierra Mountains

    Eastern Sierra Mountains / Eastern Sierras California

    mount tom

    Wilderness seeker John Muir called the Eastern Sierra, the range of light. It’s desery & drastic. Tons of granite & wild-ness. The impressive, tallest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney towers at elevation 14888′ over the Owens River Valley. Death Valley meets mountains. Ancient volcanoes & fresh granite. Creeks are alive throughout summer. Alpine lake hikes & their wild flowers are incredible. Horseback trails, rentals, pack trips are very popular. Total Escape even list high country Inyo 4×4 routes, that overlook Bishop.

    Eastern Sierra forest & parks –
    Inyo National Forest
    Toiyabe National Forest – north (Carson)
    Toiyabe National Forest – south (Bridgeport)

    Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

    Ancient Bristlecones

    inyo maps

    Eastern Sierra maps & trails –

    Eastern Sierra towns –
    Aspendell, Big Pine, Bishop, Crowley Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Lone Pine, Mammoth, Olancha, Toms Place

    south lake bishop

    cottonwood lakes

    Mount Charleston Vegas

    Mt Charleston Las Vegas NV

    Mount Charleston Las Vegas NV

    Mount Charleston Resort
    Mount Charleston Resort

    Mt Charleston cabin rentals, vacation homes and 2 mountain lodges are located near the Spring Mountain Recreation Area, just outside of the Sin City limits. The tall alpine mountains behind RedRock SP, NW of Las Vegas, Nevada are virtually unknown by many non-locals. Great hiking, mountain biking, camping and waterfalls, plus a small seasonal ski and snowboard resort are some of the highlights. Imagine snowboarding Vegas!

    Mt Charleston Hikes
    Red Rock Canyon Map

    Las Vegas Forest Hikes

    Vegas means “the meadows”, but it sure seems more like desert these days. The forest is just up the hill, past the red rock and tract homes, well past the Joshua Trees. Conifer forests, snow and high elevation, less than an hours drive from the Vegas strip. Toiyabe – Humboldt NF is this public land managed by the US National Forest system. Toiyabe also covers Eastern Sierra slopes. Get California Toiyabe NF maps. Get the Nevada State Park map here!

    Camping Vegas

    Due to extreme dry conditions and wildfire danger no open camp fires are allowed from mid-April to mid-November in the Mount Charleston region. Several developed campgrounds, plus a primitive (dirt road) camp area off Lee Canyon. Cabin rentals are located at the Charleston Lodge.

    • Vegas trails
    • Hiking in Vegas
    • Mount Charleston skiing
    • Mt Charleston hikes

    9N09 – Los Padres NF

    Quatal Canyon

    Quattale

    Quatal Cyn: Forest Road #9N09 – Los Padres National Forest

    Toad Spring Campground is located at high elevations (5700′) of Quatal Canyon, on a dirt road, half mile off the pavement of Cerro Noroeste Rd. The Chumash Wilderness, the Cuyama River Valley, Apache Saddle, Mount Abel plus the Bittercreek National Wildlife Refuge all surround this region. Los Padres National Forest meets the vineyards, orchards & farmlands, near Ventucopa. This is the badlands – 18 mile scenic dirt road, well signed at Hwy 33 & mostly graded. Quatal Cyn connects Ojai’s Highway 33 to the pinyon pine forest above near Pine Mountain Club (@ nearly a straight line?) Motorcycle dirt bikes & off-roaders dig this place. Street bikes will prefer paved Cerro Noroeste which runs the rim above to the north.

    This major dirt road is not gated at either end, but winter sometimes closes the route due to snow depth. It never stays closed very long, as some beefy 4×4 will break thru the snow berm soon enough. Top elevation @ Cerro Noreste is approximately 5500′.

    Quatal Canyon (possible Chumash word for Snake) is a giant high desert wash, ripping down from Cerro Noroeste (aka Mt Abel). Serious erosion w/ San Andreas fault lines – make it a very interesting canyon to explore on foot, horseback, motorbike, or mountain bike. The lupine & wildflowers here are incredible in late Spring in this red dirt canyon. Both nearby mountain peaks of Mount Abel & Mount Pinos are the tallest in Kern County.

    This rugged primitive canyon gets torn up during a good storm in late summer or a big winter storm. Red dirt gets very slippery – especially on the edges of a cliff. Boulders in the road, flash floods – or no road, river of mud! 2WD passenger cars can take this route in dry months, but high clearance is usually preferred. 4×4 is needed during heavy rain or snow – which could be half the year (Nov-April). Flash flooding is possible all over Los Padres NF, so know the weather forecast in advance.

    Seen small RVs, trucks pulling trailers & even a U-haul moving truck down this way. MapQuest always amazes me where they route you. This is a graded dirt road, some of the time. MapQuest should post a ‘see Total Escape for this route’. Come on folks, if you’re traveling cross-country, while moving your residence, buy a real map to explore the National Forests of California. You may end up sleeping way out here – broken down in the moving van, in the boonies & no cell coverage, cuz you had a one page, wrinkled map in faded ink, wet & smeared. And MapQuest told you it was paved. It’s not paved 90% of the way.

    Primitive camping is also allowed in the canyon wash or on the side routes, in certain seasons. Use an existing camp site when possible. Clean out the rock fire ring of litter & bottles, pull back all dry brush at camps & leave these places better than you found ’em. There are hundreds of dispersed campsites out here. The open wash is especially nice on a full moon hike, just bring friends – cuz it is considered “big cat country”. Camp fire restrictions are in tight control on this SoCal region. You will need a camp fire permit, a big shovel & lotsa water. Check with the Los Padres rangers to make sure. Recently Zaca Fire (2007) & the month long Day Fire (2006) both came very close to this precious sanctuary.

    The high desert terrain is pinyon forest, with yucca & manzanita. The eroded cliffs of red rock, white & orange hues, glow best during the clearest sunsets. You will almost think your in Utah, until you get up on a ridge & see the smog in the Central Valley of California.

    Mahu Tasen, a Native American camp and sweat lodge, has ceremonial grounds in a canyon off of Quatal. There is also a large rock quarry mining operation, as well as numerous wineries and ranches along this route. Several private residences too.

    Ballinger Canyon OHV Park is close by, 5 miles N on Hwy 33

    Carrizo Plain National Monument is also pretty close, N off Hwy 166

    towns nearby –

    PINE MOUNTAIN CA

    MARICOPA CA

    VENTUCOPA CA

    helpful maps of the region –

    Quatal Chumash Lands

    Todos Santos RV Parks

    Todos Santos Baja RV Parks

    Playa Baja - Todos Santos Beaches
    Playa Baja - Todos Santos Beaches

    Baja Todos Santos / Baja Sur Surf /  Playa Baja / Todos Santos Baja Sur

    Baja Serena RV Park
    Km 62 on Highway 19
    Pescadero, BC
    01152-612-130-3006

    Candylandia RV Park
    Pescadero, BC
    01152-612-145-0288

    El Litro RV Park
    Todos Santos, BC
    01152-612-145-0389

    Pescadero Surf Camp
    Pescadero Beach
    Pescadero, BC
    01152-612-130-3032

    San Pedrito RV
    Domicilio Conocido
    Pescadero, BC
    01152-612-123-4346

    Villas del Tropico Camping
    Todos Santos, BC
    01152-612-145-0019

    Mount Able

    Camp-O-Alto

    MOUNT ABEL, California

    So many misspell Abel like Able, its a wonder anyone can find this place.

    But what a nice find it is! Camp O Alto Campground, among the giant trees. RV friendly

    Cerro Noroeste / Mt Abel / Noroeste Peak
    Los Padres mountains, camping on the back roads, mountain biking, hiking, exploring. This gorgeous 8286′ mountain peak sits just to the west of Mount Pinos @ 8831′ (the tallest peak in Kern County). Home of the Jesus Tree, the best sunset spot for miles and the infamous motorcycle road out west, this mountain is one of the lesser known in Southern California. Oddly shaped, Jefferey and Ponderosa pines towering above have their tops stunted and enormous branches hanging down. Maybe from lightning strikes, or maybe from a historic Tejon earthquake that snapped them?

    Camp-O-Alto is the official name of this primitive open, FREE campground. First come basis. This place is a perfect option B, instead of the busier Mt Pinos Recreation Area that is located to the east. RV campers love this camp, as there is plenty of room to spread out in between the sites. There is also a large group site at the west end of the campground – available to whomever can grab it first, but you must have a large group to utilize this spot.

    Just south of Apache Saddle, there is a faded, large sign that reads Westside Park, but this is the only reference we can find and no one locally calls this mountain by this name. The Cerro Noreste Road gate (near Camp Condor), closes seasonally for winter snow and rock slides.

    Once you are past this gate & start climbing from the saddle, there is a great viewpoint a few miles up on the right side, overlooking red dirt beauty of Quatal Canyon. You can see the mountains out near the coast, as well as the high desert, natural wash on the left side and the faint graded dirt road paralleling it to the right side, all mixed up amongst the pinyons & junipers. The Chumash Wilderness is on the left side.

    DIRECTIONS TO MOUNT ABEL:

    To get here from Interstate 5, exit Frazier & head west, thru Frazier Park, thru Cuddy Valley, turn right on Mil Potrero Hwy (forest road #9N05) & past the golfing community of Pine Mountain Club; continue west to Apache Saddle. At this intersection, turn left on to Cerro Noroeste (#9N25) & drive 10 miles to the top of the mountain.

    To get here from Hwy 166, take the Cerro Noroeste Road turn off just east of Hwy 33. Continue 20-something miles up to Apache Saddle ranger station. At this intersection, turn right on to Cerro Noroeste (#9N25) & drive 10 miles to the top of the mountain.

    Los Padres Trail # 21W03 / Chumash Wilderness

    Hiking Trails / Mountain Bike SoCal

    This area is very popular among mountain bikers and sunset seeking couples. The “Peak to Peak” hike is an all day adventure of 6.5 miles, that should be planned well in advance – with another shuttle car at the Pinos parking lot. This is a moderately, strenuous hike that can take up most of the day – with awesome views over the San Joaquin Valley, Lockwood Valley, Pine Mountain Village and San Emigdio range. The area located in between Pinos & Abel is called the Chumash Wilderness.

    Trail 21W03 Mt Pinos

    California Camping Club

    California Camping Clubs

    Below are a few camping organizations within California. Some of geared toward the young adults who like to rough it & others are specific to RV family camping style.

    campers
    Outdoor Club
    http://www.outdoorsclub.org

    Circle City Campers
    http://www.circlecitycampers.com

    Escapees RV Club
    http://www.escapees.com

    Family Motor Coach Association
    http://www.fmca.com

    Loners on Wheels is a singles RV club
    http://www.lonersonwheels.com

    Mountain Lakers Club
    http://mountainlakers.org

    Pioneer Camping Club
    http://www.pioneercampingclub.com

    RVing Women
    http://www.rvingwomen.com

    Off road enthusiasts can enjoy one of many day runs or overnight camping trips with various 4×4 Groups in California:

    Lodge Lakes

    Lakes California

    California is epic for mountain lakes. There are dozens of reservoirs & recreational lakes to enjoy, from SoCal to Shasta. Boating, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, biking, hiking, picnicking. Many of these prime lakes even have lodging facilities, resorts or cabin rentals nearby. Some resorts are year round destinations, but a few close up during winter months, due to deep snow & road closures. Below is a list of many California lake locations that you can reserve a lodge or campground.

    RV Park Klamath

    Klamath Camping / Klamath Fishing / Klamath River


    www.flickr.com



    Camper Corral RV
    Klamath CA
    800 701-7275
    707 482-574

    Chinook RV Resort
    Klamath, CA
    707 482-3511


    Elk Creek Campground & RV Park

    921 Elk Creek Rd
    Happy Camp CA
    530-493-2208

    Kamp Klamath RV Park & Campground
    1661 West Klamath Beach Rd
    Klamath, CA
    707 482-0227
    866 552-6284

    Klamath Ranch Resort
    6930 Copco Rd
    Hornbrook CA
    530-475-3270

    Klamath River RV Park
    700 W Klamath Beach Rd
    Klamath CA
    707 482-2091

    Mystic Forest RV Park
    Klamath CA
    707 482-4801

    Steelhead Lodge & RV
    Klamath CA
    707 482-814

    The Pines RV Park
    Klamath CA
    530 627-3425

    see more about these towns –

    Happy Camp
    Hornbrook
    Klamath

    Baja RV Parks

    Baja California RV Parks

    RV Camping Baja / RV Park Baja

    baja camping RV

    RV Camping in Baja California Mexico can be quite a challenge, especially if you do not know where you are going. Best bet is to get a good road map, and choose your destination wisely. Travel times are much longer in route in Baja than on modern US freeways, so plan accordingly. Below are some popular Baja destinations for camping, outdoor recreation, sightseeing cities, beaches & villages.

    San Felipe RV Parks

    Baja San Felipe RV Parks

    Baja San Felipe

    El Dorado Ranch
    San Felipe BC
    800 404-2599

    Las Canadas Resort
    San Felipe BC
    01152-646-153-1055

    Marina Resort and RV Park
    Carretera Aeropuerto
    San Felipe BC
    01152-686-577-1455

    Pete’s Camp
    San Felipe BC
    909 694-6704 US

    RV Park Rosarito

    Baja Rosarito / RV Park Rosarito

    Baja del Sol Hotel
    Free Road, Km. 26.8
    Rosarito, BC
    011-52-661-612-1350

    Oasis Resort & RV
    N Rosarito, BC
    011-52-661-631-3250

    Popotla Trailer Park
    KM. 34, S Rosarito, BC
    011-52-661-612-1501

    Loreto RV Parks

    Baja Loreto Camping RV Parks

    El Moro RV Park
    Loreto, BC Mexico
    01152-613-135-0542

    Loreto Shores Villas & RV Park
    Loreto, BC Mexico
    01152-613-135-0629

    Villas de Loreto
    kayak and bike rentals
    Loreto, BC Mexico
    01152-613-135-0586