Camping in the Santa Monicas

Any dirt bag camping up there?

Where exactly???

Are you looking to climb at?

I assume Dirtbag = Free?

Heads up- I recently "overnight parked" in my van at echo and woke up to a 6am knock on my van door from ranger becky. It was a saturday though... I havent been bugged on weekdays.

Free is good but I would pay a little, not the $45 I'm seeing at the parks.

there are a couple of free campsites up highway 33 above ojai. rose valley and middle lion i think. both have latrines, tables, fire rings, but no running water. first come first served, and they tend to fill up on the weekends. you can also reserve a site at wheeler gorge - i think it's $30 or so.

there are also a lot of established backcountry campgrounds in the same area that are free, but you can't drive to them.

Santa Monica Mtns span east-to-west from the 405 only to Pt Mugu, and north-to-south from the 101 down to Pacific coast. if you're just looking for a place to car bivvy, there are spots less patrolled than others. if you're looking to set up tent, then prob one of the few campgrounds. it's not a big wilderness area. most trailheads are within 15 mins drive of civilization (and motels) in multiple directions