California’s top-rated campsite is just 2 hours from LA and hides on an avocado farm — for just $22 a night

As summer wanes and Labor Day waves in the near distance, camping is top of mind for many a Californian, and the call of the wild may be closer than you think.

Hipcamp, an app that connects campers to outdoor accommodations, has revealed that a former avocado farm is California’s highest-rated campground with a 95% rating based on nearly 2,000 reviews.

Located in De Luz Heights, a scant two hours from downtown LA, the acclaimed Splitrock Farm and Retreat is spread over 100 acres and punctuated with giant granite boulders and towering groves of oaks, palms and pines.

Visitors to Splitrock can explore the sites on the property’s eponymous 5K loop.

Prior to its incarnation as a beloved city escape, Splitrock was part of a once-flourishing avocado farm. In its nearly five decades of operation (1970-2017), the property produced over one million pounds of avocados per year.

Current owner and land steward Ben Corbett purchased the land in 2021 with a focus on sustainable agriculture and outdoor recreation.

His vision for Splitrock is to “Leverage the natural features of this land to create space for people to enhance the fitness of their body, mind, and spirit through recreation and education.”

To that end. Splitrock is now home to 36 individual campsites; nightly stays start at $22 and range from tent and RV sites to glamping.

For those who crave a more amenity-laden camping experience, bedding, canvas bell tents, and a sleeping trailer can be booked for an additional charge.

Splitrock also offers guests add-on experiences like private yoga sessions, playtime with the on-property goats, sunset sound baths, and s’mores kits.

At an elevation of 1,420 feet, Granite Tabernacle is billed as the property’s highest and most private campsite with panoramic views and enough space to sleep ten.

Meanwhile, the Baby Oaks Oasis is described as an “ideal setting for wellness retreats, ceremonies, yoga workshops, and intimate acoustic music performances.”

For those who fancy a riverside walkabout, Splitrock is 3 miles from the scenic Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve.

The retreat is also conveniently located 5 miles from downtown Fallbrook for those who need supplies or who prefer restaurant dining to roughing it over an open fire or camp stove.

Vinophiles who like bedding down in the great outdoors will dig that Splitrock is just 14 miles from the tasting rooms of Temecula.

Understandably, the Hipcamp reviews of Splitrock are largely glowing.

“This is a lovely place to retreat and restore. Being on top of the mountain provided impressive sunrise and sunset views. If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to sleep, this is it!” exclaimed one happy camper.

“Splitrock is a beautiful and unique site close enough to local shops but remote enough to feel like you are boondocking,” testified another.

“What an awesome location! This was my wife’s and my first time at this campsite, and we absolutely loved it! We’d definitely book again and come back and bring more friends to enjoy this location,” added a third.

In addition to hosting campers, Splitrock offers yoga retreats, with the next one set for October 23-25.

In the summer months, Splitrock’s programming includes immersive day camps for kids where the young folk care for animals, explore the garden and “build confidence through daily farm rhythms.”

While Splitrock took the crown for top campsite, it was followed by other quality California contenders.

Hipcamp’s 10 best-rated campgrounds in California

1. Splitrock Farm and Retreat, Fallbrook
2. Mystic Forest Campground, Klamath
3. Kosk Creek Campgrounds, Big Bend
4. Tahoe National Forest
5. Inyo National Forest
6. Finnon Lake Recreation Area, Placerville
7. The Retreat At Redwood Shores, Bayside
8. Terwer RV Park, Klamath
9. The Ranch at Cross Road, Livermore
10. Shasta-Trinity National Forest

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