It's an unlikely place for paradise: a slab of asphalt downhill from a water treatment plant and an oil refinery, with loud jets flying overhead. But for the couple hundred people in motor homes parked here, it is paradise--or almost. Although Dockweiler Beach lies under the departure path of Los Angeles International Airport, the RV sites are sometimes booked months in advance. The vacationers tend to be from southern California--inland dwellers escaping the heat, families in search of the last affordable beach vacation, retired people, friends who gather here annually, and people from elsewhere, such as the man who was enjoying a week-long rest in the midst of a permanent move from Alaska to San Diego.

So what draws them here? In a word, the beach, the glorious beach. Just down from the RV park, once you cross a paved two-lane bike path, there's nothing but sand and sunshine, fresh, cool ocean breezes, and the reassuring sound of surf all day and night. Despite the frequent roar of low-flying airliners, almost all the people I spoke with on this particular day in August described the place as "relaxing"--unless it was a kid talking, and then it was "fun."

"When you live in a hectic world, it's kind of nice to come out where it's relaxing and peaceful," said Sharon Lofgran as she and her husband, Jim, sat on lawn chairs outside their RV. "And this beach is pretty private. We absolutely love the beach. We also go to Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Carlsbad, San Diego, but this is probably one of our favorite places. We have all the conveniences of home . . . the only thing that's missing is a Jacuzzi!"

Dockweiler is less crowded than some southern California beaches, partly because it's between two major beach cities, Playa del Rey and Manhattan Beach. Its RV park, unlike many others, has hookups--another definite plus. It's a good place to surf, boogie board, ride bicycles, play Frisbee, but most important, to just hang out and spend some quality time with loved ones.

Bobbie Anderson had come from Redlands, halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, to stay with her grandchildren for the maximum time allowed at the park, 21 days. The parents join them on weekends and some week nights after work, as do friends from home. "This is wonderful for the kids," Anderson said. "We have so much fun and have had so many people out here. At one time we had 13 rigs at the beach, all from Redlands. It's been a family tradition for 40 years."

What is it about the RV experience that makes it different from being at home? "I think the family talks more. When they're out like this, they tell us things that maybe we don't want to know!" she replied with a laugh. "You know, when you're home you're busy, you're watching TV, you're doing this and that, going here and there. Here it's more of a family thing--it's smaller, so you're together."

Dockweiler is not quite paradise for them, however, for a couple of reasons unrelated to the airplane noise. Their favorite beach to camp at is San Elijo State Beach, just north of San Diego, mainly because there is a store on the premises so that they don't need to drive anywhere for small necessities. Also, there they don't have speeding bicyclists.

"You have to have somewhere to walk," Anderson explained. "The bike path is too dangerous to walk on. Cyclists ride down here really fast and yell at us--'Get off the bike path!'" It was a complaint I heard from others in the park. One little girl about four or five years old was crying on the bike path because she was yelled at by a cyclist.

And what about the airplane noise, does it bother them? "Actually, we love it!" Anderson answered. Her granddaughter, Carley, chimed in, "We make a game of it. We all ask each other, ‘What country is that one going to, or that one?' It's fun."