Leo Carrillo State Park offers exceptional RV camping with 130 campsites nestled under giant sycamore trees, featuring 1.5 miles of pristine Southern California coastline, tide pools, coastal caves, and year-round beach access. Canyon Campground provides 46 sites with electrical hookups for RVs up to 31 feet, while strategic locations like Malibu RV rentals and Los Angeles camper van options offer prime access to this 2,513-acre coastal gem located just 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.
Positioned perfectly where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, Leo Carrillo State Park captures the quintessential California beach experience with its unique blend of sandy shores, dramatic coastal caves, and vibrant tide pools. Named after actor and conservationist Leo Carrillo (1880-1961), who served 18 years on the California Beach and Parks Commission, this park stands as a testament to California's commitment to preserving its spectacular coastline.
You'll find yourself surrounded by 1.5 miles of beach perfect for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, and surf fishing. The park's distinctive features include accessible coastal caves and reefs that invite exploration during low tide, revealing a hidden world of marine life in protected tide pools. Giant sycamores provide welcome shade throughout the main campgrounds, creating a cool oasis after sun-soaked beach days.
The park offers exceptional opportunities for backcountry exploration through its network of trails that wind through former ranch landscapes to the Nicholas Flat Natural Preserve. You can spot diverse wildlife from coastal birds to marine mammals, with gray whales visible during their spring migration (April and May). The park's dog-friendly North Beach (north of lifeguard tower 3) welcomes leashed pets, making it an ideal destination for families traveling with four-legged companions.
Summer brings special programming, including Junior Ranger activities for kids ages 7-12 and ranger-led campfire programs, adding educational value to your coastal adventure. Year-round sunshine and mild temperatures mean you can plan your Leo Carrillo getaway any season, though May through October offers peak beach weather and the warmest ocean temperatures for swimming.
The park sits just 10 minutes from Malibu and under an hour from Los Angeles, making it an easily accessible escape from city life without sacrificing the authentic wilderness experience. This proximity to urban amenities, combined with genuine natural beauty, makes Leo Carrillo the perfect weekend getaway or extended coastal camping destination.
Park Alert: Beginning October 29, 2025, through March 2026, the Nicholas Flat Trail from Decker School Road to Nicholas Pond Trail will be temporarily closed for the Nicholas Flat ADA Trail Restoration Project. Visitors can use the Malibu Springs Trailhead as an alternate access point during this period.
Access Leo Carrillo State Park via Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), located approximately 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica. The park address is 35000 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265. From Los Angeles, take the 101 Freeway to Kanan Road, head south, then turn right onto Mulholland Highway, which connects to Pacific Coast Highway. The route offers stunning coastal views, making the journey part of the adventure.
Most park roads easily accommodate RVs, though the maximum combined length for vehicles is 31 feet at Canyon Campground. Day-use parking lots open at 8 AM and close at 10 PM, while campground gates open at 8 AM. The main parking areas and campground access roads are well-maintained and RV-friendly, though some campsites require careful maneuvering due to tree coverage and site configuration.
Malibu Coastal Access: Malibu RV rentals position you just 10 minutes from Leo Carrillo State Park, offering easy access to the entire Malibu coast. This location serves as an ideal base for exploring multiple coastal state parks, including Point Mugu State Park and Malibu Creek State Park, creating opportunities for multi-park coastal adventures.
Los Angeles Metropolitan Access: Los Angeles RV rentals and Los Angeles camper van rentals provide the widest selection of rental options while keeping you within 45-60 minutes of Leo Carrillo. This gateway allows you to combine beach camping with visits to iconic LA attractions, Santa Monica, and the greater Southern California region.
Canyon Campground, Leo Carrillo's main camping area, features 130 family campsites available for both tents and RVs up to 31 feet in length. The campground sits beneath towering sycamore trees at the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains, providing natural shade and a scenic mountain backdrop.
Of the 130 sites, 46 offer electrical hookups (20-, 30-, and 50-amp service) at sites including: 3, 5-12, 16, 20, 23, 25, 27, 104-115, 117-121, 123-133, 135-137, and 139. These electric sites fill quickly, so reservations should be made up to six months in advance through ReserveCalifornia. No sites offer water or sewer hookups, but a dump station is available on-site.
Campground amenities include a well-stocked camp store carrying essentials, firewood, and last-minute supplies, flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers, picnic tables at each site, fire rings with grills, and a convenient dump station. The beach is easily accessible via a tunnel under Pacific Coast Highway, placing you just a short walk from the surf.
Campsites accommodate up to 8 people, and most sites feature pull-through or back-in access. Generators are permitted from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM only. Check-in time is 2:00 PM, and check-out is 12:00 PM. Cell phone reception can be spotty, so plan accordingly.
Important Note: Sites are somewhat close together and parking spaces can be tight for larger RVs. Some sites have low-hanging tree branches that may limit overhead clearance. When booking, verify your RV dimensions (including height) match the site specifications. Some campers report that parking sideways or at an angle works best for certain sites.
Located just north of Canyon Campground, La Jolla Group Campground accommodates groups of 9-50 people in a tent-only setting. The site includes parking for up to 12 vehicles (additional vehicles park in the day-use area for a fee), with the campsite approximately 100 yards from the parking lot.
Amenities include multiple picnic tables, fire rings, BBQ grills, and restrooms. The group site is situated about 1 mile from the beach and offers a more secluded, woodsy camping experience. Reservations are required well in advance at $225 per night.
The park's rangers help celebrate the wonders of Leo Carrillo with interpretive programs. These events include guided nature walks, campfire programs, and demonstrations for the Junior Ranger Program. Offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day, these programs are a fun and adventurous way to get more in-tune with your surroundings.
Visitors come to explore the rocky outcroppings and caves that line the beach of Leo Carrillo State Park. Seasonal low tides catch some of the small creatures that call this area of the ocean home and leave them in crevices or holes that fill with water after the tide goes out. Fortunate beach surveyors will get to see all sorts of tidepool animals, ranging from anemones to crabs, and sea stars to fish. It's important not to disturb these pools or handle the creatures within them. The tidepools offer a spectacular way to get a closer look at the ocean's inhabitants.
Surfing is a popular pastime along the Leo Carrillo shore. Surfers gather to play in the exposed reef and the point break. The waves are fairly average here with none that get too wild or spectacular, which makes it an ideal place to learn the sport. Still, it is best to remain cautious, as many rocks hide below the surface. Summer brings offshore winds that come from the north, creating the perfect surfing conditions. Camping in Southern California along the Pacific Coast should always include a little surfing, so wax up your board, or rent one from a local shop and head on over the Leo Carrillo Beach.
Leo Carrillo's waters host a number of ideal diving locations all along the shoreline. These coves tend to range in depth from 12 to 40 feet and in difficulty level, but none will leave you without a stunning display of the area's interesting underwater formations and diverse sea life. This area is home to many exotic creatures, including rays, octopi, and soupfin shark. Discover whole schools of fish in kelp forests, where they gather under rich plant life. There are so many places to explore, and with visibility ranked best in late summer, Leo Carrillo is a sure answer to your desire to dive. Make sure to use a float and flag when beach diving, as well as an anchor line and a descent line for safety.
Day-use parking is available at the main beach entrance, with additional parking near the campground entrance. Parking lots can fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays, so arriving early is recommended. RV parking is available in designated areas, and overflow parking for campers is available in the day-use lot when needed.
While public transportation options to Leo Carrillo are limited, bus service is available to nearby Malibu. Once at the park, exploring is best done on foot, by bicycle, or via your RV. The compact park layout makes walking a practical option for accessing beaches and nearby trailheads from the campground.
It's not every day that you get to throw a line into the ocean (we're making assumptions here). So, while visiting Leo Carrillo, why not give it a go? Anyone over the age of 16 will need to acquire a valid California fishing license before fishing for California sheepshead, surfperch, calico bass, halibut, and white sea bass. There are several points that jut out into the ocean, creating perfect spots for those looking to cast off from the rocks. Whether by rock, off the shore, or from your skiff, you're sure to find your fishing sweet-spot. Best of all, you can take your catch back to the campsite for an old-fashioned fish-fry.
Dogs love camping too, and there aren't many beaches in Southern California that allow dogs on the shore. Well, this park has what you've been missing. The dog-friendly north beach at Leo Carrillo is the perfect location to let your pooch run off some of that pent-up steam from travel. Stretch those four legs -- a few rounds of fetch with a sandy stick is always nice any time of year. Dogs are welcome to stay in the campgrounds, so the fun doesn't have to end after a day out. There is so much to do here, even for the furrier guests. If you're on the road with Fido, be sure you make this stop.
Guests who enjoy hiking have it good here. There are plenty of trails to choose from, and they from easy to difficult. Whether you're looking for a gentle roam or an energetic hike, Leo Carrillo provides it all. Some trails show stunning beach views, while others pass along wildflowers and other bodies of water. For those looking for a little more leisure, there is a short nature path near the campfire center at Canyon Campground. If you want to see some wildlife during the off-season, try hiking the five-mile Leo Carrillo Beach Trail. Maybe you'll spot a California newt or a southern alligator lizard.
Waterfowl at Leo Carrillo State Park is abundant. Each species has its own unique song and offers the added touch to this California beach setting. Avian enthusiasts are fortunate enough to witness all sorts of grebes, gulls, pelicans, and more. Many glide right overhead and feed along the shoreline. Others will be witnessed along rocky outcroppings or fishing in the waters offshore. If you visit the park any time from November 15th through December 15th, you may catch the migration of many bird species along the coast, roughly following the Pacific Coast Highway (humorously referred to this time of year by locals as the Pacific Coast Flyway). First thing in the morning and right before sunset is the best time to see these migrating flocks. Be sure to bring your binoculars in your campervan.
Birds aren't the only migrating visitors to frequent the area. A popular activity preceding the peak season is whale-watching. Although you can see whales any time of year, guests visiting the park during the chillier seasons of April and into the beginning of May are privy to spotting migrating gray whales. These magnificent creatures roam down the coast and swim rather close to the beach. This event makes for some spectacular views and memories to last a lifetime. Whales aren't the only sea mammals to see in the area. You may also witness traveling sea lions, harbor seals, and dolphins, so make sure to pack your telephoto lens in your travel trailer.
Visitors are sure to be awestruck by the spectacular surroundings that Leo Carrillo State Park has to show off. The shoreline boasts rocky outcroppings and unique formations that make for the ideal shot. There's no better subject for that perfect still than the sun setting on a western sea. A sea setting doesn't get much better than this; the secluded feel is easy to take in during off-season times when crowds aren't so dense. Even when the water is too cold for human guests to enjoy, the area wildlife still likes to show off. Whale watching is quite popular here. With so many photo opportunities, you'll want to make sure you have your camera packed in your motorhome.
