Los Angeles is brimming with particular slices of nature, tucked excessive within the mountains or alongside the coast. So once we put collectively a information highlighting among the finest first-come, first-serve campsites within the metropolis, we requested readers to share their favorites too.
What we obtained have been notes from nature lovers that waxed poetic of wildflowers and wildlife, and expressed a longing to flee the bustle of the town. As one reader put it, tenting is “the quintessential escape from the maddening machinations of our city quotidien.”
We rounded up a few of our favourite responses beneath.
Reader Jan Rasmussen and her husband take pleasure in visiting Desk Mountain, particularly through the Fourth of July to flee the noise of fireworks erupting all through L.A.
(Jan Rasmussen)
A calming place with nice views of the Antelope Valley
Campground: Desk Mountain
The place is it? Angeles Nationwide Forest, close to Wrightwood
Why is that this campground your favourite? “Some websites could be reserved, however many websites are first-come, first-served, and the campground is so giant, it’s seemingly you’ll discover a web site. We’ve camped there over July 4th weekend, and it wasn’t full. The campground is totally on the highest of a mountain with nice views of Antelope Valley. There’s a path across the campground.”
What’s a favourite reminiscence you’ve got at this campground? “Desk Mountain is our favourite place to camp with the canine and get him out of city away from the July 4th firework noise. One time when leaving, we noticed a bobcat sprinting throughout the highway! Plus only a quiet and enjoyable place.”
The rest you’d like so as to add? “After we are heading residence, we at all times cease at Evergreen Cafe & Racoon Saloon in Wrightwood. There’s a patio for the canine, and the meals and repair are nice.”
— Jan Rasmussen, Lakewood
Reader Scott Pansky’s children benefit from the zip line and twine course among the many many different actions at Ventura Ranch KOA in Santa Paula.
(Scott Pansky)
The Disneyland of campgrounds
Campground: Ventura Ranch KOA
The place is it? 7400 Pine Grove Street, Santa Paula
Why is that this campground your favourite? “Nestled in Santa Paula and a brief drive to or from Ojai, this campground is in contrast to another campsite we now have been to. You possibly can actually inform there was lots of thought that was put into growing this campsite. This location can accommodate any kind of camper. For our household, it’s turn out to be a house away from residence, and we attempt to go to anytime we are able to to get away from the the hustle and bustle of the town. The most effective half is it’s lower than an hour away for us and looks like you might be fully some other place.
From deluxe cabins with Wi-Fi, televisions, showers, air con, fuel barbecues and conventional hearth pits, this web site gives glamping at its finest. In the meantime, it additionally has conventional campsites, tepees, and RV websites. The recreation choices are far past a median campsite, from a resort-style swimming pool, zipline and ropes course, a mountain climbing tower, a leaping pillow, quite a few trails and a Bigfoot hike, a tie-dye station, and a lot extra. But, minutes away you even have entry to eating places and grocery shops. Actually an excellent expertise nobody will neglect.”
What’s a favourite reminiscence you’ve got at this campground? “One of many actions we acquired to do was make foam rocket ships and shoot them throughout the campsite with an air compressor. From sitting on the deck behind our cabin, having a household barbecue, to sharing tales across the campfire, our kids have household tales that can final a lifetime.”
— Scott Pansky, Tarzana
The sundown view from close by Mt. Lowe, which campers can hike to from the path camp.
(Mitchell Miller)
A hike stuffed with historical past to a terrific campsite
Campground: Mt. Lowe Path Camp
The place is it positioned? A few 5-mile hike to the location in Angeles Nationwide Forest
Why is that this campground your favourite? “The journey up the Mt. Lowe Street is [a] hike again by way of historical past, when early twentieth century Angelenos would catch the Mt. Lowe Railway up the San Gabriels to the resorts of Echo Mountain and Mount Lowe. As you ascend from Altadena by way of the chaparral foothills and ultimately to pine forests, you’ll get a full historical past lesson from the interpretive indicators alongside the best way. When you attain the Path Camp, discover the outdated basis of the Alpine Tavern and take heed to the birds and the creek. Hopefully you’ve got time and power to proceed as much as Mt. Lowe for a gorgeous sundown.”
What’s a favourite reminiscence you’ve got at this campground? “Stargazing and consuming mango sweet.”
— Mitchell Miller, Los Angeles
Reader Tommy Bui loved the solitude that Hoegees Path Camp, a 2.2-mile hike-in web site, when he visited through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Tommy Bui)
A real escape to nature
Campground: Hoegees Path Camp (briefly closed, as of July)
The place is it? Angeles Nationwide Forest, by way of a 2.2-mile hike in
Why is that this campground your favourite? “All of the facilities and alluring traits you can consider. Loads of cover protection, picturesque and well-kempt trails and the tranquil solitude you so attempt in spades. The campsite has ample house and the greenery lush and otherworldly sufficient to compel you to stow away full-time within the wilderness.”
What’s a favourite reminiscence you’ve got at this campground? “It was through the pandemic and other people have been clamoring for secure and outdoorsy actions. I made a decision to go outdoors of my very own consolation degree and pack and lace up for a weekend within the woods. Tattered map in tow and sense of journey in abundance, I used to be the one entity on the market all weekend. Except for the wildlife that got here sniffing round my tent round midnight. It was adrenaline-inducing and transcendent as I’d by no means felt that near nature earlier than. I may scent her coyote-breath.”
— Tommy Bui, Pacoima
Reader Kurt Star and his children loved the sunshine lavender bushes and hoary leaf ceanothus blooming close to the Soldier Creek Path close to the Crystal Lake campground.
(Kurt Star)
The place the wildflowers bloom longer
Campground: Crystal Lake Rec Space Campground
The place is it? North of Azusa off Freeway 39
Why is that this campground your favourite? “It’s a gorgeous mixture of pine and oak forest. Fantastic riparian areas too, although there isn’t lots of floor water. It’s massive so it’s a very good guess. I used to be simply up a pair weeks in the past. The ceanothus blooms have been beautiful. The monkey flower, deerweed, penstemon and lupines have been out in power too. Wildflower blooms last more and begin later the upper you go up in elevation. So quiet at sure occasions of the day. It’s a completely completely different world than down within the valley.”
What’s a favourite reminiscence you’ve got at this campground? “On my final journey, I took my children up, and we walked down and rounded a nook and have been simply hit with partitions of shade. Mild blue of California lilac and violet to blue of lupines with the grey sheer partitions of the mountains within the background. Actually robust honey scent all over the place.”
— Kurt Star, Covina
