A mild climate makes camping near Long Beach an attractive proposition year round. Located just north of Alamitos Bay in Los Angeles County, it is a haven for stressed-out commuters who want to grab a weekend of relaxation and those in search of longer stays. Although not as popular for surfing as the beaches of Orange County, Long Beach offers plenty to entertain those looking to combine camping with a healthy lifestyle, and its oceanfront bike trail is especially popular with cyclists.
Area Attractions
Find your bearings at Rainbow Harbor where you can rent a sailboat, ride on a speedboat or take a water taxi cruise of the harbor. Take the children to ride paddle boats in Rainbow Lagoon Park before having a healthy lunch at Shoreline Village.
Long Beach City Beach offers five and a half miles of white sand and ideal swimming conditions in the Pacific. Walk up to Bluff Park for scenic views and ride a bike along Belmont Shore. There is a maritime museum in neighboring San Pedro and you can join naturalists from the Aquarium of the Pacific on a blue whale cruise, where you can also spot seals, sea lions and dolphins.
Campgrounds
The nearest campground to Long Beach is Golden Shore RV resort located on the waterfront in downtown Long Beach. It offers 80 hook-ups in a landscaped park with views of the city skyline. There is a heated swimming pool, picnic area and kitchen facilities on site and daily, weekly or monthly rates are available.
Head south for less-urban campgrounds. Seal Beach offers several options, including Bolsa Chica State Beach for RVs and Crystal Cove for tent camping. Malibu Creek, about 33 miles north of Long Beach, offers nature and hiking trails through sycamore woodlands and plenty of opportunities for fishing and horseback riding.
When To Go
Long Beach is a year-round destination with an annual average temperature of just over 64 degrees Fahrenheit. July and August are the warmest months, while January and February are the coolest, though the temperature rarely falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night. Combine your visit to include one of the city’s major recreational events such as the annual Sea Festival in June through September, or the Crawfish Festival in August.
Activities
Some campgrounds offer on-site games and activities, but there is also the chance to rock climb, roller skate or windsurf in Long Beach. Long Beach Windsurf and Kayak Center offers lessons. There are a number of companies who rent canoes, speedboats and cruisers, while Long Beach Sportfishing can arrange a full Southern California saltwater fishing experience. Volleyball is especially popular on Long Beach City Beach.
Restrictions
Camping near Long Beach can be fun, but there are some restrictions that should be considered. There is no camping allowed on Long Beach City Beach itself and there are unaccompanied age restrictions in Malibu. Bolsa Chica State Park shuts at 9 p.m. and campers arriving after that time need to make after-hours arrangements. No tents are allowed at Bolsa Chica, while at Crystal Cove tent sites are only accessible by foot.
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