Free or low cost overnight parking in SoCal? Lake Forest ?

"I have heard rumor that none of the WalMart, Home Depot or Cabela's stores in O.C. will allow overnight"

Steve, pretty much true. Sorry. Homeless would abuse IMO.

Check out the Cleveland National Forest. Might be some low cost camping in their units. And look up San Onofre State Park.

Lwiddis wrote:
"I have heard rumor that none of the WalMart, Home Depot or Cabela's stores in O.C. will allow overnight"

Steve, pretty much true. Sorry. Homeless would abuse IMO.

Check out the Cleveland National Forest. Might be some low cost camping in their units. And look up San Onofre State Park.

Thanks for the reply.

I was hoping for better news.... It is a shame what has happened in some areas. I spent 6+ years full time back in the 90's and rarely had trouble finding a place to overnight.

I took a just a couple of years ago and while I was able to find overnights I did get turned away at more than one WalMart. I do always ask. Luckily there were nearby alternatives.

I'm sorry but I'm not up on Lake Forest and the OC, I can tell you however there isn't much in So. Cal. that is low cost. Check the State Park web site and the USFS sites, there is OC and SDC too.

I will say that you should check each and every one of the Freeby sites and not listen to the rumors. Some churches and daylight businesses will allow overnights also the Elks, Moose and Eagles will let you in for a modest price if not full of members.

I'm sorry and Good Luck.

Hi Steve,

There is a Casino about 30 miles from Lake Forest.

https://freecampsites.net/#!Lake+Forest,+CA,+United+States

PNW_Steve wrote:
Hello Everyone,

I wonder if some of you that are familiar with the area can advise me. I want to stop for a few days to visit my sister in Lake Forest CA.

Try O'Neill Regional Park it is about 9.5 miles from Lake Forest. Weekends are always full weekdays not so much.

Last brochure I have campsite was $20. $15 senior/handicap

Give them a call,good luck

There is also Caspers Wilderness Park about 20 miles from Lake Forest. Same Price.

Good idea, pianotuna.

Wish you best of luck in that area. We also have kids that live there. Just not rv friendly. Kids have good neighbors that don't cry over us staying 3 or 4 days. Then move to another kid then back at 1st kids house. Usually on weekends kids meet up with at some campground within 100 mile radius. Kid runs a shop. Sometimes we stay there. But over all hard area to find good spot.

IAMICHABOD wrote:
Try O'Neill Regional Park it is about 9.5 miles from Lake Forest. Weekends are always full weekdays not so much.

Last brochure I have campsite was $20. $15 senior/handicap

Give them a call,good luck

There is also Caspers Wilderness Park about 20 miles from Lake Forest. Same Price.

"Path1" - it's not that it's not RV friendly - the land (or space) is wroth mega bucks for other stuff.

A city that's genuinely *not* RV friendly is Irvine!
At least in most parts of MV & Lake Forest, an RV on the side of your house is OK. Don't even "thunk it"...in Irvine!
Pulling the dip stick to check your oil (on an auto) will get folks excited!

I got a few chuckles about a casino 30-35 miles from Lake Forest, CA!!
Been here since Lake Forest was El Toro, and we were two of the 8K residents of Mission Viejo in 1971. (adjoins Lake Forest)
Casino?? - What casino??...:h

Guess that meant Pechanga in Temecula.......loooong 35 miles, (try double that) and it does *NOT* have free (or inexpensive) camping!
*VERY* Long (time-wise, an hour & a half - with *good* conditions) commute to Lake Forest! (including parts of the congested 91 and/or 5 fwys).

O'Neill would be a good choice (and close) - nice, but no hookups.
(Right now = pretty hot weather in Trabuco Canyon!)

There are two Wallys in the immediate area - no "overnighting".
Closest Wally that might still allow it is in Westminster - about 25 miles North of Lake Forest. (30 minute commute during NON rush-hour)

Another choice - a bit further would be San Onofre (bluffs) by the nuke generating plant in San Clemente. (No hookups - but cool ocean breezes). Very popular (populated!) in summer time. 15-20 minutes to Lake Forest.
There is an "inland" part of that campground that does have hookups.
It's about 5 miles inland - just before you get to Camp Pendleton.

BTW - hurry and join the Elks!
Overnight in MV, Garden Grove, or Santa Ana (*huge* pk lot right off the 5 fwy)...:C



~

FWIW, we stay in motels when going anywhere near LA.

Thanks for the replies.

I appreciate the input. OC is a tough one for budget travelers.

My last trip down I stayed at both San Onofre and O'neil.

My (poor) recollection was that O'neil was a bit more expensive. It was also very dusty & loud. We had people show up late in the evening, set their tent up right under my bedroom window(in my space) and stayed up talking loudly.

San Onofre is a nice spot but kind of a long drive.

Motels are not an option for me. Still need to park the rig and in OC they are expensive.

It is looking like it will likely be O'neil again this trip.

Thanks again.