Los Angeles has the unfortunate reputation of being one of the most difficult cities to park an RV in the United States, and information available to visitors seems to be scattered across different places. So, in this article, we’ll centralise everything you need to know about RV parking in LA.
RV parking in LA: where to park and stay overnight in Los Angeles
Can you park an RV in Los Angeles?
Yes, but not everywhere. Street parking is heavily restricted and, on most streets, overnight stays are prohibited. The city also treats anything over 22 feet long as an “oversize vehicle”, banning them from most residential and coastal areas, as well as limiting daytime parking to just a few hours. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to plan your parking as part of your LA itinerary.
Daytime RV parking for sightseeing
Beach lots along Santa Monica and Venice
Santa Monica’s beach lots run rughly 6am to 9-10pm and take RVs during the day just fine (although there are size restrictions for vehicles longer than 17 feet). Venice and the wider LA County follow similar rules too: open by day, closed and ticketed between 10pm and 2am.
Griffith Park and the Observatory
The southern parts of Mount Hollywood are great for sightseeing, offering spectacular views across the Griffith Park and the Observatory. Smaller RVs can squeeze in the normal parking spaces, although it’s recommended to arrive early (before 10am, particularly on the weekends). Meanwhile, oversized vehicles must park off-site, at a designated regional RV park.
Downtown and Hollywood
Downtown and Hollywood allow parking for a few daytime hours in a metered lot, but most have limitations for oversized vehicles. Overnight parking is strictly prohibited between 2 and 6 am.
RV parking in LA: where to park and stay overnight in Los Angeles
Overnight RV parking in Los Angeles
RV parks inside the city
Your best bet for overnight parking in Los Angeles is to find a designated RV park in the city. For example, the Dockweiler RV Park, run by LA County right on the sand near LAX, is the only place in LA where you can park overnight on the beach. There’s also the Anaheim Harbor RV Park, close to Disneyland and the Hollywood RV Park.
Campgrounds within an hour
If you don’t mind a short drive, you’ll also find campgrounds just outside the city. The Malibu Beach RV Park offers beautiful views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, whereas the Golden Shore TV Resort is located in Long Beach just around 3 minutes south of LA. Heading inland, you’ll also find campgrounds near the Angeles National Forest, such as the River’s End RV Park and Campground or the Chilao Campground.
Vehicle length is the thing that catches people out
Any vehicle over 22 feet long or 7 feet high is considered an oversized vehicle and that’s where rules become a lot more strict. These vehicles do not fit in most regular car parks across LA, as well as are not allowed to park overnight on the streets between 2am and 6am, where specific “Oversized Vehicle Restricted” signs are posted.
What RV parking costs in LA
Parking costs will range depending on the area and your chosen campgrounds. For short-term stays, a night at an RV park could be anywhere between $65 and $125+ per night. If you’re planning to stay longer, monthly rates range between $1,200 and $2,500+. Of course, before parking costs even enter the picture, comparing the best RV rental companies in Los Angeles will help you find the most cost-effective rentals in the city.
Practical tips before you arrive
Dump stations and fresh water
Don’t count on finding one downtown, as they are very rare within central Los Angeles. Your best options are using the regional full-hookup RV campgrounds or industrial sites like the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant in Playa del Rey.
Traffic and when to move the vehicle
Early in the mornings (before 6 am) or late at night (after 10pm) is when the traffic is the lightest in LA, with Sundays generally being the quietest day of the week. Mid-day hours (between 10am and 2pm) are also slightly less congested. Whatever you do, avoid the peak rush hours (7-10 am and 4-7pm).
Using LA as a stop on a wider route
It’s not a secret that LA is not an ideal city for RV travel, particularly those looking to stay overnight. So, ideally, you would treat it as a short stop during your travels, rather than the destination.