Topanga Canyon State Park is about 20 miles northwest from downtown LA. I think this is the closest place to me that one can actually camp at. There’s a vast network of trails and campgrounds winding through the parched mountain wilderness. When Beth and I arrived, there was a shoot for the History Channel in progress. Couldn't really tell what was going on, but they had a "redcoat" marching next to a modern day Marine in the sunset for some sort of effect.