Wanting a place close to the LA area to camp for the weekend.Ideally looking for an area with small hikes and plenty to do.

no, you gotta go to Nor Cal!!!!

Carpinteria State Beach, about one hour north
Landers/Big Bear, about 2 hours east

its kinda in the middle of cal, but l go to Twin Lakes in Bridgeport. its alot of fun! l get my limit for trout every day that im there, there is lots of hiking and wildlife, l usually stay for a week or so in the summer at the upper twin. sorry, idk any places near L.A. but definatly look into this place!

http://monovillage.com/

You can always head to the Mt. Baldy of the Angeles National forest in Claremont, which is about 40 minutes from where l live. It is close, has some of the best views, and is a popular place to camp and hike, especially during this season when the snow has melted.

Nor Cal. They are all correct. Go to Arroyoseco! 5 hours away from you if you take the coast 2 101

The only real forests are stright to the east. go to Bakersfield and keep going till you hit the Sequoia Nat'l Forest.. you will see beautiful, big, amazing giant sequia groves everywhere. trails to backpack or day hike. kern river to paddle if you're up to class iv rapids.
you can camp at designated camgrounds or hit the primitave site with no running H20. you will see the milkyway in the unpolluted sky.
it is worth the 3 hour drive to see this natural wonder.