Visiting LA with a RV

[Barbette]

Hello,
I am starting with my family a 6 months trip in the USA beginning at LA. We plan to stay at Dockweiler beach and Balboa for the nights. I would like to know if it is possible to park the RV during the day in the city at some places we would like to visit like Hollywood Bd, Venice beach and Santa Monica. Are there day parking lots at these places or shall we travel by public transportation?

Thank you for your answers.

Barbette

[MarkTwain]

Hello,
I am starting with my family a 6 months trip in the USA beginning at LA. We plan to stay at Dockweiler beach and Balboa for the nights. I would like to know if it is possible to park the RV during the day in the city at some places we would like to visit like Hollywood Bd, Venice beach and Santa Monica. Are there day parking lots at these places or shall we travel by public transportation?

Thank you for your answers.

Barbette

Hello Barbette,
I would be willing to take the time to help you plan your RV trip and schedule but you would have to provide more information:
1. how much time do you have for the total trip?
2. where are you starting from? where do you want to end your trip.
3. what kind of accomadations do you prefer? RV parks, county parks, full hook up facilities, primative, boondocking or a mixture.
Email privately if you want to continue with help in planning your trip.
Dick

[lfloom]

I think people might be overstating how difficult it is to park in LA. We never have trouble parking our 4Runner anywhere, but an RV? unless it is a regular class B (as opposed to an extended one), I think most of the places would be a no, unless you are willing to park maybe .5 miles away and walk. Hollywood, Santa Monica - those places tend to have pay lots, and even structures (with height restrictions) but go a bit farther into more residential neighborhoods? Should be OK. But, it might require more awareness of the neighborhoods than you possess. I also agree - you should consider renting a car for the week.

[tsetsaf]

We are from LA area and would never even try to take a large RV into the downtown area. If you have a small Class B or C that is a different story. As mentioned already most of the publicly managed parks fill up fast. Here is a great way to see the various options in the area Campgrounds and RV Parks near LA

If you have no separate car you would be better served renting a car for the week or two in the area. Hollywood, especially, is very tight and cramped.

[TOOBOLD]

First of all, Dockweiler Beach reservations can only be made 3 months ahead of time to the exact dates. They are now beginning to do June reservations so just be aware. Venice Beach can be done in the RV approx 24-27' (not TV with TT or 5th wheel). I wouldn't try any longer. I'd park on Washington Blvd near Via Marina. I would not attempt to get closer to the beach. Get there early before 9 am or parking gets more difficult. This gives you options to get out more easily. You can walk down Washington Blvd to the beach. There are plenty of places to rent bikes to ride. Venice Beach is nearby and Santa Monica about 3 miles on the bike path. Lots to see and take in!

I woulnd't do Downtown with the RV. I'd find open air parking and take the light rail into downtown or as others have said rent a car.

Dockweiler is noisy you get to hear and see all the planes take off from LAX, but closest RV park to LA in my opinion.

[WoodGlue]

SooperDaddy wrote:
Don't listen to all the Los Angeles bashers!

There are several great reasons to drive and park your RV on the streets of Los Angeles!

Here's three!


Free Paint jobs!



Seriousily...I Love L.A. and was a cop up that-a-way. Don't do it!

Hehehehe SooperDaddy

WoodGlue

[AprilWhine]

If you want to check the street parking in any given area, you can look at the Google street view to give you an idea whether to try it or not. Personally, I don't like to park anything larger than a Mini Cooper in the touristy areas of LA. 😉

[ScottG]

I don't even like driving a RV on the freeways in LA.
I agree with the others, rent yourself a car or use public transit.

[SooperDaddy]

Don't listen to all the Los Angeles bashers!

There are several great reasons to drive and park your RV on the streets of Los Angeles!

Here's three!


Free Paint jobs!



Seriousily...I Love L.A. and was a cop up that-a-way. Don't do it!

[bikendan]

Barbette, i hope you aren't planning to do LA and California in the summer!
because it's too late for any coastal campsites if you haven't made reservations yet.

i agree with the others, assuming you will be in a motorhome. i hope it's a short one.
you could try parking at one of the beach parking lot but they are expensive. there are lots near Hollywood Blvd.

but driving around LA in a motorhome is not for the faint of heart or the inexperienced.

[Gonzo42]

BE AWARE !! The city of Los Angeles and those cities to whom they provide parking enforcement are VERY money hungry. The city posts a plethora of confusing, contradictory signs which also change the rules by different days and different hours.

In addition, one cannot appeal because one must send the fine to a collection company which is not even in the same county. The appeal process on the city website does not actually exist.

Even though I have lived in the LA county almost continuously since 1964, I have never seen such avarice. I avoid Los Angeles at all costs.

[kalynzoo]

LA is a great tourist town. Weathers wonderful, sites are worth seeing: That said it is not real RV friendly. Getting a beach side RV site during the summer is problematic at best, impossible most of the time, and if you are planning on an ocean parking place you better have a back-up plan. Some private parks that take reservations to consider are: Ventura RV Park (30 to 45 minutes from the LA center area), Malibu RV (much closer but also more expensive) Travel town RV and Castaic RV (both inland 30 to 45 minutes from Hollywood area, actually close to Magic Mountain). As for driving: If your not comfortable driving a BIG vehicle in really heavy city traffic you will hate driving in LA. I don't know what traffic in Tel Aviv is like, but I bet LA traffic is denser. Major attractions have RV parking (Universal Studio, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm) City tourist spots like Hollywood, Hollywood & Vine, The Grove, do not have RV parking and area parking in non-existent. Plan on renting a car, signing up for tours (like Grey Line Tours, or Hollywood Tours) or use rapid transit. LA rapid transit is 3rd world compared to Eastern and European cities. Clean fuel efficient buses and trains will get you most places in a very long time, with infrequent pickups and anything but all inclusive routes. But car rental is reasonable compared with rental in many other cities, so it is worth looking into.
Enjoy your visit, and Happy Trails.

[Executive45]

Leave the coach and rent a car.....you'll thank me when it's all said and done.....Dennis

[WoodGlue]

BTPO1 wrote:
If I did not have a second vehicle I would use public transportation to get around. There is no way that I would take my MH through downtown LA. We drove the MH towing through through LA last year on our way home from the east coast and even on the freeway it was a nightmare. JMO

X2 on this!

All the places you named have very tight and limited parking, even in a regular car. I'd take public transportation, which in LA is pretty good with the Red, Blue, Green, Gold Lines, etc!

WoodGlue

[BTPO1]

If I did not have a second vehicle I would use public transportation to get around. There is no way that I would take my MH through downtown LA. We drove the MH towing through through LA last year on our way home from the east coast and even on the freeway it was a nightmare. JMO