Dockweiler is a 3-mile urban beach in Playa del Rey, directly beneath the LAX flight path, and one of the last places in Los Angeles where you can legally have a beach bonfire. The noise is real and constant. So is the appeal — wide sandy beach, roughly 40 free bonfire pits, and one of the only campgrounds on the LA coast.
Details
- 🏞️Type
- State Park
- 🏛️Managed by
- California State Parks
- 📍State
- CA
- 🗺️Address
- Newhall, CA, 91321
- 📞Phone
- (310) 322-4951
- 🕐Hours
- Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📡GPS
- 33.93926, -118.44044
The Place
Dockweiler sits in Playa del Rey on Santa Monica Bay, operated by LA County under a state parks agreement. Three miles of wide, flat beach with consistently swimmable conditions and a campground that represents one of the slim overnight options on the Los Angeles coastline. What distinguishes it from every other LA beach: you can have a wood bonfire here. About 40 pits are available first-come, first-served.
The other distinguishing characteristic is the LAX departure path overhead. Planes are loud, frequent, and unavoidable. This is not a flaw that reveals itself only when you arrive — it is the defining characteristic of the place.
When to Go
Usable year-round given the LA climate. Summer is peak season for beach use and bonfire competition. Marine layer commonly grays out summer mornings. September and October offer the warmest water, clearest skies, and lighter weekday crowds. Bonfire pits are fiercely competitive on weekend evenings — someone needs to arrive by 6 or 7 AM to hold one.
Getting There
Off Imperial Highway and Vista Del Mar at the western terminus in Playa del Rey. Accessible from Highway 105 or I-405 via Lincoln Blvd. Parking is managed by LA County.
What to Do
Swimming, surfing, and bonfire cooking are the draws. A paved path along the shore accommodates biking, jogging, and skating. Bring your own firewood — it is not sold on-site. RV/vehicle camping is available at 117 sites with full hookups (electric, water, sewer); sites are arranged in parking-lot style in three rows. Tent camping is not permitted anywhere at this park.
Reservations & Fees
RV sites run approximately $45–$75 per night (beachfront costs more). Reservations must be made directly through LA County Beaches and Harbors — not through ReserveCalifornia. Day-use beach parking is managed and priced separately by LA County. Check water quality before swimming at beaches.lacounty.gov.
Dogs are not permitted.