One of the most significant benefits of owning a tiny house on wheels (THOWS) is the ability to travel while remaining in the “comfort of your home.”
However, the benefit of having a flexible home that saves you money on taxes and maintenance comes with its own set of challenges.
One of these challenges is finding a legal place to park them. Because tiny homes often lack their own legal classification, it may not be easy to know which parking spots would be your best bets.
Thankfully, California is home to some of the Pacific Coast's most exciting locations (parks and communities) for parking your tiny house, so you need not worry.
Many of these parks and tiny home communities offer both short-term and long-term reservations at affordable rates with basic amenities and plenty of fun activities for the family.
With that said, here are seven of the best places to park your tiny home in California.
The Dockweiler RV Park is one of the rare oceanside campgrounds available for parking RVs and trailers in Los Angeles County. The campground, designed for beach and ocean lovers, is operated by the Los Angeles County Government.
Although tents are not allowed in the park, there are sections reserved for trailers and RVS. Being one of the rare campgrounds with stunning views of Malibu and Catalina Island in LA, many campers reserve these sites as soon as they become available.
It's worth noting that ocean-front sites may cost slightly more than those in rows 2 and 3.
One unique attraction of the park is its proximity to the airport. Guests can enjoy watching airplanes taking off, which can be a fun and passive activity, especially for kids.
The park is designed in such a way that noise from the airport is minimal and shouldn't disrupt your stay.
Daily rates start at $55, but during holiday weekends, fees may increase slightly for a period of three days before and three days after the holiday. Be sure to check the specific rates for your desired stay dates.
Making reservations well in advance is wise, especially during peak seasons. Keep in mind that the rules regarding changing reservations may be stricter during these times.
Dockweiler RV Park is highly recommended if you have been looking for the right place to park your Tiny home; the staff is helpful and pleasant to ensure you settle in comfortably, and there are tons of activities you can do, including swimming.
Some of its featured amenities include:
Delta Bay Tiny House Resort is a legal community in Isleton that is located on the San Joaquin River's waterfront in Northern California. They welcome tiny houses on wheels, rent out tiny homes, and also offer short and long-term tiny house parking spaces.
Delta Bay only allows a maximum occupancy of two people and two animals per space.
Daily, weekly, and monthly reservation rates in this community range between $75 and $2000 depending on if you want a full hookup RV Site or a Tiny House/Park Model rental service.
You may find it helpful to know that the Campendium Campers Choice Award awarded Delta Bay as one of the Best RV Parks in America.
There are numerous fun recreations for families here, including boating, waterskiing, fishing, birdwatching, and relaxing in a serene rural setting with friendly service and country club amenities.
Some amenities Delta Bay offers include:
If you are looking for a relaxed country lifestyle but want to stay close to the urban centers of the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, Delta Bay is the tiny home community for you.
Golden Shore RV Resort, established in 1995, is a prominent water-oriented RV park situated immediately north of the Golden Shore Marine Biological Reserve in Downtown Long Beach, Southern California.
The resort is larger than Dockweiler, and it is near various tourist attractions, including museums, the Aquarium of the Pacific, The Queen Mary, The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, etc.
The resort is available for tiny homeowners looking for a suitable location to park their motor coach, motor home, fifth Wheel, trailer, and camper. Daily start rates are from $60, and weekly rates from $340.
Here are some of the key features and amenities it offers:
This is one of the only legal tiny home communities in Southern California. They are in Mount Laguna, which the Cleveland National Forest surrounds.
Tiny House Block community offers short and long-term rentals for your tiny home as well as existing tiny homes that can be rented out within the community.
The cost of a parking space averages $875 - $975 per month plus utilities. Note that prices are subject to change, so please visit their website for current information.
Some of the key features offered by the community include:
The Fairplex KOA is a large camping ground located in the city of Ponoma on the east of Los Angeles. This park has everything a family could want for a fun-filled holiday.
If families want to add additional adventure and tourism to their stay, they can visit the various tourist hotspots within 30 minutes of the RV park campground.
Disneyland Resort, Knott's Berry Farm, Raging Waters, Universal Studios, Mt. Baldy, Hollywood, and so much more are all waiting to be discovered!
If you love nature but don’t want to be too far away from the city, Fairplex KOA is the perfect combination of nature, family fun, and city life.
Some of the key features and amenities available include:
You may also like: Living With Pets In A Tiny House: Tips And Tricks.
Launched in 1972, Orangeland is a family-owned RV park founded by E. H. Welton, who emphasized from the beginning that Orangeland was to be a FAMILY business rather than just a "family BUSINESS."
This distinction highlights the park's dedication to maintaining a welcoming and family-oriented environment that has twice earned it Park of the Year honors from the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).
The Park offers a selection of RV sites to accommodate your recreational vehicle during your stay in southern California.
Since Orangeland was built on a working orange grove, many sites have orange trees you can pick with your kids when in season.
Daily rates start at $85 for regular RV sites. Rates increase for more premium sites. For more details about their rate, visit their website rate page.
Some popular attractions close to the park include:
Some amenities offered by Orangeland RV Park to make your stay more enjoyable include:
Anaheim RV Park is well positioned within walking distance of Disneyland. This is especially exciting if you have been planning a Disney trip with the family. It offers shaded sites and a shuttle that runs to Disneyland every half an hour.
The park is also minutes away from the Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium, and the Honda Center, and a short ride to Southern California's famous beaches, deserts, and mountains.
Daily rates start from $66, and weekly rates from $380
It is a great place to stay if you have kids, though you have to pay extra for each kid.
The bathrooms are neat but do not have a shelf or surface for your bathing accessories.
Anaheim RV Park offers you the following:
You may also like: Tiny House Living with Kids: Challenges and Rewards.
Living in a tiny house is not only cost-effective but also enjoyable.
You get to live a life with more independence, fewer things, and more freedom to pursue your interests. The difficulty is in finding a suitable parking space for your tiny home since tiny homes often fall into the legal grey zones.
If you have always wondered where to safely/legally park your tiny house in California, this piece explored seven of the best places to park it.
Whether you desire to have a country feel without losing touch with the urban centers or if being around nature is your thing, there are plenty of options for you in the Golden State.
Want to know more about tiny homes living in RV parks or communities? Read: Tiny House Vacation Rentals: Trying Out the Lifestyle Before Committing
Find answers — straight from the author — for the most common questions about this article.