There’s a moment when your child stops asking to come home early from a sleepover and starts asking whether they can stay another night. That’s usually the signal that a week away is worth considering.
The harder part comes next. Sleepaway camps within reach of Santa Monica differ enormously in what a week actually looks like. At one, your child spends every morning building a single skill. At another, they rotate through archery, ropes courses, and campfire skits. At a third, they sleep on an island and are in the water before breakfast. Sessions run from four nights to more than two weeks, and the youngest campers start at six.
So the question isn’t really which camp is best. It’s which week fits your kid. Here are seven overnight camps in Santa Monica, what each one offers, who it suits, and what it takes to get there and back.
2026–2027 Cost and Coverage at a Glance
Here’s your dashboard for overnight camp pricing near Santa Monica. The “Latest published cost” column flags whether a rate is brand-new for 2027 or still reflects a 2026 posting, while “What the price clearly covers” highlights the major inclusions. Drive times assume typical weekend traffic from central Santa Monica.
| Rank | Camp | Ages | Session length | Latest published cost | What the price clearly covers | Accreditation | Approx. Santa Monica access |
| 1 | Pali Adventures | 6–16<br>(Mini 6–8) | 4 or 8 days | Not published | Meals, lodging, all activities, specialties, electives | ACA + WAIC | 2–2¾ hr drive — or West LA shuttle |
| 2 | Canyon Creek Summer Camp | 7–16 | 1, 2, or 4 weeks | 2026: $2,500–$9,600 | Lodging, meals, programmed activities | ACA | 1½–2¼ hr drive — or Cheviot Hills bus |
| 3 | Camp Hollywoodland | Girls 6–17 | 4 or 5 days | 2026: $650–$700 | Meals, lodging, gear, supervision | ACA | 35–75 min drive |
| 4 | Camp JCA Shalom | Grades 2–12 | 4–31 nights | 2026: $1,300–$4,530 | Housing, meals, programs (laundry extra ≤ 11 nights) | ACA | 50–90 min drive to Gold Creek Center |
| 5 | AstroCamp | 7–17 | 7 or 13 days | 2027: $2,900–$4,600 | Residential program, meals, scheduled activities | ACA | 2½–3¼ hr drive to Idyllwild |
| 6 | Catalina Sea Camp | 8–17 | 7 or 17 days | 2027: $3,750–$6,350 | Camp week + ferry (LAX transfer extra) | ACA | 45–90 min to ferry, then included boat |
| 7 | Camp Bravo | 12–18 | 7 days | 2026: $1,350 | Cabin lodging, three meals, one snack, theater program | No public claim | 2–2¾ hr drive to Angelus Oaks |
Drive times are estimates—double-check a map app before booking. Prices verified September 1, 2026; camps may update rates without notice.
1. Pali Adventures: Best Overall for Camper Choice, Safety, and All-Inclusive Coverage
Campers pick one morning specialty from 27 options across Adventure, Creative, and Performance tracks — anything from Flying Trapeze to digital storytelling. Teens hooked on vlogging or TikTok can dive into Pali’s content creator camp for teens, where they storyboard, film with pro-level gear, and even run the camp’s social channels before choosing fresh electives each afternoon.
Pali Adventures overnight camp homepage screenshot for Santa Monica guide
Session, Ages, and Program Fit
Think of Pali as a build-your-own adventure. Campers pick one morning specialty from 27 options across Adventure, Creative, and Performance tracks (from Flying Trapeze to Content Creator), then choose fresh electives every afternoon. Mini Camp eases six- to eight-year-olds in with four days and three nights, while Juniors (ages eight–twelve) and Seniors (thirteen–sixteen) tackle the full eight-day, seven-night session. Because Pali is strictly overnight with no day-camp option, first-timers sample independence and veterans deepen skills without leaving a single trusted program.
Cost, Coverage, Safety, and Westside Access
Tuition is private, so we judge by what you get: modern cabins, three hot meals daily, your chosen specialty block, afternoon electives, and all evening activities with no surprise fees for motorsports or trapeze.
Safety leads the pack. Pali holds ACA and WAIC accreditation, screens every staff member through LiveScan and the DOJ, and certifies counselors in First Aid, CPR, and AED use.
Reaching camp is simple. The site sits in Running Springs, California, about 90 minutes east of Los Angeles; expect a 2–2¾-hour weekend drive from Santa Monica, or hop on a charter bus that departs Aiden’s Place in West LA and arrives at the front gate.
Those all-in costs, documented safety checks, and a true Westside shuttle satisfy four of our five ranking criteria, keeping Pali comfortably in first place even without a published price tag.
2. Canyon Creek Summer Camp: Best Traditional Multi-Activity Camp With a West LA Bus
Canyon Creek Summer Camp multi-activity program homepage screenshot
Session, Ages, and Program Fit
Picture camp classics: archery at 10 am, lake time after lunch, and skits around the fire. Canyon Creek delivers with one-, two-, and four-week blocks for campers 7 to 14, plus a CIT track for teens fifteen to sixteen. Days rotate through sports, high ropes, arts, and free-choice hours, so kids sample plenty without locking into a single theme.
Cost, Coverage, Safety, and Westside Access
For 2026, tuition is $2,500 for one week, $4,900 for two weeks, and $9,600 for four weeks, which covers lodging, meals, and the full activity schedule; only camp-store spending falls outside the package. Canyon Creek is ACA-accredited, runs professional background checks, and certifies every counselor in First Aid and CPR.
You can skip the car altogether because chartered buses depart Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, or you can drive the 1½- to 2¼-hour route yourself. The blend of classic camp feel, transparent pricing, and true West LA transportation secures its No. 2 spot.
3. Camp Hollywoodland: Best Budget Pick for Girls
Camp Hollywoodland budget-friendly girls overnight camp webpage screenshot
Session, Ages, and Program Fit
Run by LA Parks since 1926, Hollywoodland is a local secret perched above Griffith Park. Girls ages six to fourteen bunk for five days and four nights, while a leadership track stretches to seventeen. The shorter stay makes it an easy first leap from home to cabin life.
Cost, Coverage, Safety, and Westside Access
Seven standard 2026 sessions cost $650, and the centennial week is $700. That fee covers meals, snacks, equipment, supervised activities, and cabin lodging. As a city program, Hollywoodland is ACA-accredited, runs reference and background checks, and certifies staff in CPR and First Aid.
You will drive 35–75 minutes from Santa Monica, depending on weekend traffic, because no shuttle is offered. Even without bus service, Hollywoodland delivers accredited overnight camp at less than half the price of most private options, earning its place in our top three.
4. Camp JCA Shalom: Best Close-to-Home Jewish Camp
Session, Ages, and Program Fit
While its Malibu site rebuilds, JCA Shalom hosts summer sessions at Gold Creek Center near Sylmar, roughly 50–90 minutes from Santa Monica on a weekend drive. Programs welcome kids entering grades two to twelve. “Taste of JCA” offers four- or five-night stays for first-timers, while core sessions stretch to 11, 18, 25, or 31 nights. Days weave sports, arts, outdoor skills, and spirited Shabbat celebrations, so campers feel Jewish community without spending the week in services.
Cost, Coverage, Safety, and Westside Access
For 2026, tuition runs $1,300 for four nights up to $4,530 for 18 nights. The price covers housing, kosher meals, and all programming; laundry appears only on stays of 11 nights or longer. JCA Shalom is ACA-accredited, interviews and background-checks every hire, and keeps licensed medical professionals on site.
You will need to drive, yet the short commute balances the lack of a West LA shuttle. If you want a values-driven camp without committing two full weeks, JCA Shalom blends proximity, flexibility, and price clarity.
5. AstroCamp: Best for STEM and Mountain Adventure
AstroCamp STEM and mountain adventure summer camp homepage screenshot
Session, Ages, and Program Fit
High in the San Jacinto Mountains, AstroCamp pairs rocket launches with ropes courses. Seven-day sessions serve ages seven to thirteen, while campers twelve to seventeen can stretch to a 13-day stay or dive into specialty science labs. Days swing from telescope nights to climbing walls and hands-on experiments, giving curious kids equal parts physics and classic camp fun.
Cost, Coverage, Safety, and Westside Access
Live 2027 tuition is $2,900 for seven days and $4,600 for 13 days. This covers cabin lodging, hearty meals, and scheduled activities; budget separately for store money or optional add-ons. AstroCamp is ACA-accredited and lists a typical 6–10 campers per 1–2 counselors.
You will drive 2½–3¼ hours to Idyllwild, and no West LA bus is posted. The distance and higher price keep AstroCamp in fifth place, yet for kids who dream in star charts, the STEM payoff is hard to match.
6. Catalina Sea Camp: Best for Marine Science and Ocean Skills
Catalina Sea Camp marine science and ocean skills camp homepage screenshot
Session, Ages, and Program Fit
Imagine a floating classroom where morning plankton labs roll straight into afternoon snorkel runs. Catalina Sea Camp ferries campers eight to thirteen for seven-day island sessions, while teens twelve to seventeen dive into a 17-day voyage packed with sailing, scuba, and marine biology labs. Living on the island keeps screens out of sight and tide-pool discoveries front and center.
Cost, Coverage, Safety, and Westside Access
For 2027, tuition is $3,750 for seven days and $6,350 for 17 days, and that price includes the mainland-to-island ferry. Extras are limited to airport transfers ($75 each way), camp-store money, and lunch on departure day. Catalina Sea Camp is ACA-accredited and lists a 2:1 camper-to-instructor ratio during scuba sessions.
You will drive 45–90 minutes to the Long Beach terminal, and staff escort campers on the boat from there. The higher price and layered travel keep Sea Camp in sixth place, yet for kids who want coral instead of canoes, nothing on the mainland compares.
7. Camp Bravo: Best Affordable Performing-Arts Week for Teens
Session, Ages, and Program Fit
Camp Bravo turns an Angelus Oaks retreat into a nonstop rehearsal room. One seven-day, six-night session invites theater-loving kids ages twelve to eighteen to act, sing, dance, and crew under working professionals. Days flow from intensive workshops to full-cast rehearsals, then wrap with fireside script reads, so campers live, breathe, and yes, belt show tunes until lights-out.
Cost, Coverage, Safety, and Westside Access
The latest published rate is $1,350 for the 2026 session, making Bravo the least-expensive teen arts residency on our list. Tuition covers cabin bunks with attached baths, three meals plus an afternoon snack, and all instruction. The public site lists no ACA accreditation or background-check policy, so parents should confirm screening standards directly.
You will drive 2–2¾ hours east on Highway 10 and then climb into Angelus Oaks; no LA shuttle is advertised. Limited session dates and the missing accreditation details keep Bravo at seventh place, yet for theater-obsessed teens on a budget, it still delivers a full stage experience without a Broadway-size bill.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overnight Camp Near Santa Monica
Are There Any Overnight Camps in Santa Monica?
No. Every true sleepaway option sits outside city limits, but each camp on our list offers a drive or shuttle workable for Westside families.
How Much Does a Week of Overnight Camp Cost?
Published prices in this guide range from $650 for Camp Hollywoodland’s four-night program to $3,750 for Catalina Sea Camp’s seven-day island session. Pali Adventures keeps tuition private, so you will need to request a quote.
Is One Week Long Enough for a First Sleepaway Camp?
Usually, yes, especially when your child helps choose the camp and can handle basic self-care. A four- to seven-night sleepaway camp stay limits homesickness while still including mornings and evenings.
Which Extra Fees Should Parents Ask About?
- Transportation (bus ≈ $180 per week; ferry included only at Catalina)
- Airport pickup or drop-off (Catalina charges $75 each way)
- Specialty gear rentals (for example, scuba equipment)
- Camp-store spending money
- Laundry for multi-week sessions
- Bedding or linen rentals, if offered
- Cancellation insurance
The Bottom Line for Westside Families
No overnight camp sits inside Santa Monica, so every option here trades a drive or a shuttle for a week without daily pickups. Pali Adventures leads on breadth of choice, accreditation, and all-inclusive pricing, and its West LA bus removes the drive entirely. Confirm each item before you pay the deposit so there are no surprises later.
