Boondocking in Southern California???

Probably looking towards the desert if you want to keep cost minimal. Yucca Valley RV Park has some pretty reasonable monthly and weekly rates and is not too far from the Palm Springs area. A little over two hours out.

Few hours. The upper desert area for boondocking might work, but could be a bit far. 14 day stay limits, etc; so you'd have to move around. This time of year it is starting to cool down so not too hot during the day and cool at night. Middle of winter it can downright get cold. Lots of places if you are okay with the desert, and possible very windy conditions at times. Lots of BLM land around the city of Mojave, California City and further north. You would be in areas that might OHV activity on weekends if you can live with that.

unsinkable wrote:
We would like to be able to get to them within a few hours

Karen & Wayne

A "few hours" opens up a lot of possibilities. Anza-Borrego SP is only two to three hours away from SM depending on the time of day. There are also BLM areas around Joshua Tree NP, also about 3 hours from SM.

LS

As you can see from this 'map' not much close to Santa Monica.....LINK

Angeles may be close in milage but time wise it is hours. There are a few USFS CG's up by lake Castiac and north, and the only open CG's I'm aware of above Pasadena are on Angeles Crest at least 10 miles in a very winding road that empties out close to 60 freeway miles from Santa Monica. Better plan on a commercial CG

The closest campground to Santa Monica is, I think, Leo Carillo, maybe an hour away:

Leo Carrillo State Park

There are several others in the Angeles National Forest, around two hours away:

Angeles Nat Forest Campgrounds at Forestcamping.com

I am not a big fan of the Angeles Nat Forest -- dry and crowded. Maybe try the Los Padres up near Ojai, which is also around two hours from Santa Monica, depending on traffic. The forestcamping.com website is very helpful.

Good luck!

Forest service campgroundsForest service campgroundsThe Angeles National Forest isn't too far away. Lots of inexpensive camping opportunities.

Look here

http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/uc/index.php/california-2

Enjoy your stay in SoCal . $$$$$$$$$

Not much in the area except RV parks.