Motels around Los Angeles ?

[Yogidog]

I am not familiar with this area at all and want to book a motel.  Usually use motel 6 be great around the 50 dollor range, during week, relatively safe, just no gun shots! Areas to avoid? Moderately priced areas within an hour?

 

[MrNoodly]

It all depends on what you want to do while in LA and how much driving you want to do from your motel to the things you want to do.

Within an hour of what? It can take that long to get half way across town. "LA" sort of runs from Palm Springs to Ventura to San Diego. It's all city and suburbs and industrial areas. A megalopolis. Traffic can be horrible.

The closer you get to the ocean, the higher the room rates. Anything cheap will be a dump. The same with Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood.

 

[Yogidog]

I like a challenge, sounds like I got one! I was thinking an hour from the airport, would you think I could find a relatively safe dump? Or maybe just as easy to drive from the campground we were talking about appreciate input"!

 

[MrNoodly]

What campground were we talking about?

 

[sephson]

I was thinking an hour from the airport...

That could be anywhere from a block to 50 miles depending on traffic conditions, time of day, road closures, etc. You might be better off specifying a distance.

 

[masterplumber]

Yogi, I can't remember if you have any military benefits available. If so Camp Pendleton is probably about an hour south of the airport, at least on a good traffic day. There is a campground right on the beach and at least 40 years ago it was cheap for military and retirees. There is also the San Onofre State surf beach next to it but I don't know if they allow overnight camping. 25 years ago I lived in Ontario - about an hour east. That area can be hit and miss as far as safety and I'm sure the misses have moved in this amount of time. You also might check the Norco/Corona area for Motel 6 and other budget hotels.

 

[Yogidog]

What campground were we talking about?

Los padres, but now I have moved on to considering angles national forest it is saying forty miles to Lax. But thank u fir the heads up on traffic need to plan for that really appreciate your experience with this

 

[Yogidog]

Yogi, I can't remember if you have any military benefits available. If so Camp Pendleton is probably about an hour south of the airport, at least on a good traffic day. There is a campground right on the beach and at least 40 years ago it was cheap for military and retirees. There is also the San Onofre State surf beach next to it but I don't know if they allow overnight camping. 25 years ago I lived in Ontario - about an hour east. That area can be hit and miss as far as safety and I'm sure the misses have moved in this amount of time. You also might check the Norco/Corona area for Motel 6 and other budget hotels.

Excellant will check norco corona, no military benefits? thanks!

 

[MrNoodly]

There is also the San Onofre State surf beach next to it but I don't know if they allow overnight camping. 

The only place to camp at San Onofre is the state park campground, which is usually full. I don't know about Camp Pendleton camping for military/ex-military.

But San O is on the Orange County-San Diego County line. That's 70 to 80 miles from, say, Hollywood. It can be a nasty drive.

On the other hand, coming into LA from Los Padres NF and Santa Barbara can be a sweet, scenic drive down Pacific Coast Highway (if you know where to turn off 101) Through Malibu to Santa Monica, then inland to LA proper. And if there's a spot available, there's the Rincon Parkway camping area just north of Ventura. It's paid camping/parking, but it's right on the bluff overlooking the ocean. I'll be up that way in a couple of weeks and hope to snag a spot. It's first-come-first-serve, so you never know until you get there.

Coming down from Angeles NF takes a little less than from Los Padres, but you spend a lot of it surrounded by city.

 

[USExplorer]

Many national forests near big cities have onerous restrictions on dispersed camping, especially during camping season. Angeles NF is no exception.

There are a few affordable hostels in the LA metro area. Curb camping is the most common budget sleeping option in the area. Find where vandwellers are tolerated, and spend your night on a quiet back street near a public park.

 

[highdesertranger]

I was going to suggest a campground. but alas it burned in the last fire and is closed. highdesertranger

 

[TrainChaser]

It's my home county, and I'm sorry to have to say it, but LA is a Third World country now. Be very careful! Malibu campgrounds start at $55 for tents/no hookups.

 

[Yogidog]

Hey so appreciate your help, when I settle where I am going I'll let u know, if it work to meet and u wanted to I could thank u properly

 

[highdesertranger]

here's a campground for 12 bucks a night. fairly close to the 210 fwy. http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41772 . highdesertranger

 

[Yogidog]

Many national forests near big cities have onerous restrictions on dispersed camping, especially during camping season. Angeles NF is no exception.

There are a few affordable hostels in the LA metro area. Curb camping is the most common budget sleeping option in the area. Find where vandwellers are tolerated, and spend your night on a quiet back street near a public park.

Hey, I remember u talking about u having no trouble sleeping in the open wish I could do that, i joined following your blog, I was trying to be stealth and put it under nevada Barr,t trying to change it anyone appreciate your narratives on people, u are alot better than some of the travel books I read. Good luck on truck school if still doing it

 

[Yogidog]

here's a campground for 12 bucks a night.  fairly close to the 210 fwy.  http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recarea/?recid=41772 .  highdesertranger

Amazing that is where I was settling on first, then try the other suggestions to. Looked like there was about 25campgrounds in that forest. And id pay six a night. Right on

 

[Yogidog]

there's the Rincon Parkway camping area just north of Ventura. It's paid camping/parking, but it's right on the bluff overlooking the ocean.

Amazing again, I spent the day with some new friends and they had said the Ventura spot too,. Going to try it, maybe I'll see u there. Thanks for all the really useful help

 

[Yogidog]

I think I will do the San Pedro and that beautiful drive also thanks can't get to much of the ocean I think there is a dog beach in ocean side my daughter and drive from new mexico to take thea and see the ocean fun

 

[MrNoodly]

I think there is a dog beach in ocean side...

Huntington Beach has a couple of dog beaches. North side of town, parking along the bluff.
https://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2016/03/at-dog-beach.html

 

[Yogidog]

Mr.noodly, that is a funny name to type, I can't do the rincoon parkway camping in a truck can I? It says everything fully self contained which I am, but i doubt they would think so? Looked at the website awesome spot, will go to dog beach thanks!