Expert: Steve Summers - 4/9/2010

Question
Hello Steve !
We are going to LA with an RV (CS-30). We are 6 (4 adults and 2 one year old babies) and we were wondering what is the best campground if we want to see universal studio, venice and the walk of fame (we don't have much time).
Is it possible to park the RV in LA ? Does it have to be in a special park ? Is there an rv park in universal studio ?
Thank you very much for your help.

Answer
Hi Delphine,

Fortunately, I have an RV of my own, and I am familiar with RV parks in California. The bad news is that there are not many places to stay in the area. The closest one is Birmingham RV Park, in Van Nuys, near the small Van Nuys airport, which is 14 miles from Universal. http://www.birminghamrv.com/

Universal Studios has RV parking, so you will be fine there (even though it may cost you $20 just to park it for a few hours). However, you should take advantage of the parking whilst there. After you are done with Universal, take the free shuttle to the bottom of the hill. The shuttle stop should be close to the RV parking area. From the bottom of the hill, cross Lankershim Blvd to the Red Line Subway Station. For $1.25 each, you just go 1 stop south to Hollywood & Highland, where you can find the Walk of Fame, Kodak Theater, Chinese Theater, Hollywood & Highland Center, and the El Capitan Theater.

Getting to Venice could be a bit more problematic. Streets around there are rather small. Your best bet would be to leave early, take the 405 freeway south, and take the Venice Blvd offramp. You will make a right turn off the offramp (which places you facing north), then turn left at the traffic signal. Follow that all the way to the beach. There is a parking lot there which should have space for you if you arrive early. You can take in the sights, and even rent a bike and go see the famous Santa Monica Pier, about 2 miles north of Venice. The problem might arise if you arrive and the parking lot is full, which doesn't give you much of a choice except to drive around and find a spot, which is virtually impossible. Parking is very scarce there.

The only place that is more difficult for RV's than Venice would be San Francisco. We were just up there last summer, staying at the Marin RV Park. It's not very big or pretty, but it's a 10-minute walk to the Larkspur Ferry, which takes you directly to the heart of San Francisco at the Ferry Building. My wife was VERY nervous while I drove through San Francisco, and across the Golden Gate Bridge. It really wasn't that hard, but the streets are rather croweded and steep, and you have to watch where you go.

Vegas is a breeze. There are a number of casinos with RV parks. I'd stay at Sam's Town, if I was going to take my rig out there.

Have fun!