Best Winter Camping In Los Angeles Near Me

4worldlovers:
Dockweiler State Beach has 3.7 miles of ocean frontage and 288 acres of beach. Amenities include restrooms, showers, picnic facilities, fire rings, and volleyball nets.

The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as the beach bike path, is readily accessible, which many visitors use for roller-blading, jogging, and of course, bicycling.

Jetties at the north end of the beach provide ideal fishing opportunities. Shore fishing is also popular.

The beach is home to a fenced enclosure for the western snowy plover, a federally protected shore bird.

The beach is quite expansive with lots of sand. In the summer it can get quite busy, especially towards the evening when everyone is trying to gather around one of the various fire rings. The only drawback here is its proximity to Los Angeles International Airport; the noise can get quite loud for some. The nearby parking lots have over 1,200 spaces and there are so many activities available and plenty of room to do them in, that the jet noise above can be easily tolerated.

This beach also has a Recreational Vehicle Park with 118 full hook-up spaces. Nearby is the Dockweiler Youth Center, which offers a multi-purpose room and terrace, youth camps, and community programs.

Accessible via Beach Cities Transit 109 at stop Main St @ Imperial Av;

Santa Monica Bay, CA, current at Wed 16 / 1PM. Water temp: -°F

Dockweiler State Beach is named after Isidore B. Dockweiler, a native son of California who lived from 1867 to 1947.

Isidore was the youngest of four sons born to Henry and Margaretha Dockweiler. His father established the Dockweiler reputation in Los Angeles religious, political, and civic life.

Isidore’s life mirrored that of his father: he was active in faith and political interests. He also received the first B.A. degree from St. Vincent’s College, which later became Loyola University.

Isidore Dockweiler became a prominent Los Angeles lawyer, civic leader, and personage of the California Democratic Party. By the 1910’s, the Dockweiler law firm was powerful in Los Angeles, eventually counting among its many clients John Paul Getty, various Hollywood celebrities, the government of the Mexican state of Baja California, and corporations like Security-First National Bank.

Intertwined with Isidore’s legal practice was his participation in Democratic Party politics. In 1902 Isidore was placed as lieutenant governor on Franklin Lane’s gubernatorial ticket. He even ran for senator in the Democratic primary in 1926, which he eventually lost. Isidore also served on the Democratic National Committee from 1916 to 1932.

As a lawyer and as a Democrat, Isidore Dockweiler was influential resulting in his membership on numerous corporate boards. He also served as trustee of the State Normal School in San Diego and of St. Vincent’s College. Isidore was also instrumental in the growth of the Los Angeles Public Library, holding office as its president (1901- 1911).

He even served on the State Board of Parks and Beaches. In national politics, his relationship with President Woodrow Wilson led to his appointment to the Board of Indian Commissioners.

4worldlovers: DUE TO RECENT WINTER STORMS, SOME RECREATION AREAS MAY BE INACCESSIBLE OR CLOSED. PLEASE CHECK ALERTS & NOTICES FOR ANY CLOSURES / RESTRICTIONS / OFFICE UPDATES.

NOTE: The road to this campground is closed to vehicle traffic due to road damage. No maintenance of facilities until the road reopens.

General Camping Info: Find helpful guidance and tips for an enjoyable trip to the forest!

Know Fire & Other Restrictions Before You Go!: These conditions can affect your entire trip. For example, Extreme and Critical fire use restrictions mean no campfires and no portable cooking systems/stoves. Bring cold food and no S'mores.

Be Bear Aware!: Bear safety is critical, for the safety of your group and/or you, as well as our bears. Help keep bears wild by following these tips.

Campfire Permit is required, and may be obtained at any Forest Service office.

Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass equired for vehicles parking at Redbox Trailhead.

*Stream water available, as conditions allow. Treat before using. However, water flow may be low or non-existant due to reduced rainfall.

The road to this campground is closed to vehicle traffic due to road damage.

Directions: Location: From Interstate 210 in La Canada, take the Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy. 2) approximately 14 miles to the Red Box Saddle. Park there and follow the Gabrielino Trail 5.5 miles to the campground. Call (818) 899-1900 for current conditions and additional information.

County of Los Angeles, Bureau of Land Management, Esri, HERE, Garmin, INCREMENT P, Intermap, USGS, METI/NASA, EPA, USDA | The USDA Forest Service makes no warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, completeness or utility of these geospatial data, or for the improper or incorrect use of these geospatial data. These geospatial data and related maps or graphics are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The data and maps may not be used to determine title, ownership, legal descriptions or boundaries, legal jurisdiction, or restrictions that may be in place on either public or private land. Natural hazards may or may not be depicted on the data and maps, and land users should exercise due caution. The data are dynamic and may change over time. The user is responsible to verify the limitations of the geospatial data and to use the data accordingly.

4worldlovers: Notice on Dogs: Please note that dogs are not allowed on the park trails, fire roads, or in the back country.

The PDF file below contains locations that allow Dogs. Dog Friendly Trails

Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

The park is located entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. Excellent recreational opportunities for hikers as well as mountain bikers (restricted to fire roads) and equestrians.

The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations.

A good place to start a visit to Topanga State Park is Trippet Ranch, once a "gentleman's ranch" for a weekend getaway from the city.

From Pacific Coast Highway, travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office at the center of "town," then turn right on Entrada Road.

Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park's main parking lot (about one mile). From the Ventura Freeway (101), exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles to Entrada Road and turn left.

Trail Closure Notice-3/22/2023: Storm damage has caused several slides along Bent Arrow Trail. This hike-only trail will be closed until major repairs or a re-route can be planned and implemented. Trail route information can be found at: Bent Arrow Trail.pdf (lacounty.gov)

Many of the park's trails can be accessed from Trippet Ranch. The Musch Trail leads north to Musch Trail Camp by winding in and out of the sun and shade where plant assemblages change with every subtle difference in light and moisture.

Two miles from Trippet is Eagle Junction, where hikers encounter the Eagle Spring loop trail. Eagle Rock, one of the many boulder outcrops on the trail, looms over the terrain and provides panoramic views of the park. At the eastern end of the Eagle Spring loop, hikers will come to the Hub Junction and the Temescal Fire Road.

Going north, hikers travel through chaparral to unpaved Mulholland Drive, which traverses the park. South on Temescal Fire Road takes hikers high above the wild canyons with sycamore and oak riparian forests below. At Rogers Junction, hikers can opt for the Backbone Trail, a trail that winds through the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Historic park in the east to Point Mugu State Park in the west. Rustic Canyon can be seen from the Backbone Trail.

Another option from Trippet Ranch is to walk east to the Topanga Fire Road and then north for a short distance to the Santa Ynez Trail. Descending into the Santa Ynez Canyon, hikers can see crumbly sandstone formations containing pockets where moisture can collect, supporting numerous small plants that form tiny cliff gardens. Close to the bottom of the trail is a side trail leading to a lovely waterfall.

If you would like to perform commercial, student filming, or photography beyond point and shoot at the park, you need to contact the State Park film permit coordinator office at 818-880-0358. If you have any additional questions or would like additional information, please contant the general information line for Topanga State Park. 310-455-2465