Is stealth a big deal in a city like Los Angeles?

[peacetara]

I think California parks are 14 day now. &nbsp;You can get a yearly discounted pass, that's definitely the way to go if you plan on spending time in/around them. &nbsp;If you have a documented disability then it's a lifetime pass I believe (I do not spend much time in CA parks so I haven't researched this much). &nbsp;I like national forests/BLM land better, instead of improved campgrounds.<br><br>There are 3 close by, that are all California state parks that allow camping (1 beach and 2 forest).<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara<br><br><br>

 

[cygvan]

pardon if its been mentioned previously, i didnt read the whole thread.<br><br>i think the term stealth refers to blending in really. so, even in a city, i would think that blending in with that environment as best as you can is more relevant than stealth. which, to me, is a term that means invisible really. i suppose its semantics but i think the word "blending" sort of conveys whats important to vandwellers more accurately.<br><br>stealth is a term better reserved for what we do with the mods we add to the vehicles. think antennas, vents, window treatments etc. those things we purposely hide. its impossible to hide a van but you can blend in.<br><br>hope this makes sense. lol.

 

[Cubey]

It's 14 days at once. But then they have a 30 day limit per year as well, per campground I think. So the most you can do is 14 days, then you have to leave for 48 hours or whatever the time is they require you to be gone, go back for 14 days, leave for 48 hours, come back for 2 days, then you can't go back until next year.<br><br>I *should* still have my CA state parks disabled pass I got years ago. I sent away for it through the mail. I need to find it...<br><br>(Edit) Found it. It's a lifetime discount pass.

 

[Vanyacht]

I've never done it, but I know several people stealth parking in the greater LA area and they all say it is surprisingly easy. One person is in a car, another is in a high-top conversion van, another in a Chinook Class B. Choosing a vehicle is inportant, but more inportant is being smart and following the general rules of stealth parking.<br>Bob

Hi I'm a van traveller and plan to travel to LA do you known any details as to how your friends went about stealth parking?

 

[MikeRuth]

You don't have to give away an exact location, but L.A. is a big town, some of it a god for saken hell hole and some of it not so bad none of it's good IMHO. Where abouts in L.A. do you need to hang out?
I live 30 minutes(yeah if traffic ever lightened up , maybe at 2 in the morning) from that dump in the San Fernando Valley. I'd be glad to make some suggestions for you.

 

[LosAngelesVandweller]

I've been parking on the westside for the last 5 months. My rig is a late 80's white cargo van. I usually move every couple of days, but not always. Sometimes I've parked 6 days in one spot and only moved for street cleaning. No problems.

Palms is my area of choice, it's close to work, close to the beach, low key, a little gritty in places, LOTS of apartments. Mar Vista is fine, too. Venice is iffy, tough to find good spots. I'm wary of Culver City..I think they have their own police force or something and I just don't get a good Vandweller vibe over there. It's amazing how fast you pick up that vandweller's "6th sense" lol. I've parked a few times in the valley too. Easy peezy.

Just follow the rules...park in front of apartment complexes, or if you have to park in front of somebody's house don't linger too long. Don't throw trash everywhere, dont pee or poop in the street. Just don't be a douche. You'll be fine.

 

[crosstrain658]

Has anyone found a good cheap place to fill their water tanks in LA, preferably close to the beach?

 

[gslanm]

In the concept of stealth in a city or suburb, has anyone attempted doing anything like this? 

1) Going into a random hotel or motel and asking the owner/manager if you could "lease" a parking space at nights for a set amount (perhaps $100-$150/mo)?

2) Responding to a Craigslist ad from a business in a industrial area that offers paid parking spots (presumably they don't mean this kind of thing) for $150/mo I've read a few advertising in my upper class town on the east coast a few streets away.

Like this ad here has anyone attempted to try and lease a space? I was honestly curious if you could get away with this if you just used it at late night and behaved.

"Outdoor parking in industrial complex available for cars, trucks and equipment. Outdoor parking is extremely convenient an affordable.
Car/Pickup Truck $100.00  mo
Work Van $150.00 mo"

 

[bullfrog]

Try offering to be onsite security. I have years ago watched parking lots for a space with access to a restroom/ break room and a plug in. Just having someone there to call owners or police makes a big difference sometimes. Also small time construction sites might go for it.