Re-Posting: 10 Campgrounds in San Diego, CA

[Frederick L. Simson]

CAMPGROUNDS IN SAN DIEGO within 30 minutes* of Downtown
(AAA APPROVED IF NUMBERED, N/A = NOT APPROVED)

(131) SILVER STRAND STATE BEACH (gov't)
5000 Highway 75, Coronado (619) 435-5184
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=654

(604) SWEETWATER SUMMIT CAMPGROUND COUNTY PARK (gov't)
3218 Summit Meadow Road, Bonita (877) 565-3600
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/cam...weetwater.html

(698) KUMEYAAY CAMPGROUND FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS ONLY (gov't)
2 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego (619) 668-2748
http://www.mtrp.org/campground/

(701) SANTEE LAKES REGIONAL PARK AND CAMPGROUND (gov't)
9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee (619) 596-3141
http://www.santeelakes.com/campinghome.htm

(811) CAMPLAND ON THE BAY
2211 Pacific Beach Drive, San Diego (858) 581-4200
http://www.campland.com/

(825) CHULA VISTA RV RESORT
460 Sandpiper Way, Chula Vista (800) 770-2878
http://www.chulavistarv.com/

(876) LA PACIFICA RV RESORT
1010 West San Ysidro Boulevard, San Diego (619) 428-4411
http://www.gocampingamerica.com/lapacificarvpark/

(947) SAN DIEGO METRO KOA
111 N 2nd Ave, Chula Vista (800) 562-9877
http://www.sandiegokoa.com

(948) SAN DIEGO RV RESORT
7407 Alvarado Road, La Mesa (877) 787-6386
http://www.sdrvresort.com

(N/A) SANTA FE PARK
5707 Santa Fe Street, San Diego (800) 959-3787
http://www.santafepark.com

[Frederick L. Simson]

The December, 2005 issue of Trailer Life magazine has an article that reminded me of this previous post. The article's title is "Not in MY Campground"

The magazine interviewed the owner of The San Diego RV Resort who revealed that he has a 10 year age limit on RV's permitted to camp there.

This was previously a campground that I had recommended, but no longer.
I am now wary of any campground that has the word "Resort" in it's name.

[Alistair Camelford]

Thanks Frederick, Your list is a great resource for our Toronto to California winter trip. I have added it to my ever-growing list of travel info. We'll be escaping our beautiful Canadian winter in Feb. travelling thru Texas and on out to San Diego. The plan is to go from there to Las Vegas for the start of the return loop home. Only missing information is the conditions of the mountain passes in mid March. I don't use chains and I'll probably return via the I-8 route if things are snowy.Any more travel tips for the mountain passes would be helpful so that we can do Vegas, Grand Canyon etc. We're towing a vintage '72 Trillium 1300 with a '02 Toyota Sienna Thanks for the help....Alistair

[Frederick L. Simson]

The Interstate 8 route doesn't close for very long, and when it does, it is more often for WIND rather than SNOW. If you haven't been here before, realize that westbound I-8 into San Diego will severely test your tow vehicle's mettle! It is a 6% grade that climbs from sea level to 4200 feet within 8 miles. There have been times that I have opted to use Interstate 10 west to Interstate 15 south instead. That is a much more gradual climb. Having said that, My 2003 Odyssey has no trouble pulling my 16' Fiber Stream up Interstate 8 at 50 miles per hour. No need to try to do it any faster.

Interstate 15 north of Interstate 10 is another story.

[Gina D.]

Interstate 15 north of Interstate 10 is another story.

Well, that would be MY current territory.

The 15 up Cajon Pass (Just North of San Bernardino) is rarely closed due to snow, tho it does happen. It's a once every few years occurance. In March, it's is very safe to say it will be clear. The worst months are November thru January, with improvements after that. So far, we have gotten zero snow this year, but it can happen anytime.

Snow usually happens in this area above 5000 feet, and Cajon pass tops out at 3500, I think.

Like the 8, the wind is a bigger problem and the pass is often closed to trucks and cars towing trailers. It is a gorge going North South thru a small range that starts in the north in the high desert and drops into a valley. It can whip pretty good in there.

You can stop up at my house if that happens! Whats one more trailer in the driveway???

[Patrick M.]

(825) CHULA VISTA RV RESORT
460 Sandpiper Way, Chula Vista (800) 770-2878
http://www.chulavistarv.com/

In October we went over to San Diego and stayed at this RV park, which our dentist had recommended. While it was expensive at $40 a night, it was very nice in a crowded, concrete sort of way, right next to a marina and small park. It was also a short drive from downtown San Diego and the train station was nearby.

While the park had pay WiFi I think this guy was running a free service cause there was an open service available that I glombed on to. This was also a typical rig and tow that was in the park.

[Alistair Camelford]

As always, this site gives great help to fellow eggers. Thanks for the advice (and the invite too Gina)...we'll keep notes on travel hints and campsites prior to our trip .Thanx...Alistair

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Frederick,
Thanks for the info, printed it to go in the campgrounds folder in "Nuestra Casita".
Please say "hi" to Richard for us, & have a wonderful Christmas.
Kurt & Ann K.

[Frederick L. Simson]

While it was expensive at $40 a night, it was very nice in a crowded, concrete sort of way

Many of these properties have changed ownership in the last 3 to 5 years. Most places are "upgrading" and have discontinued renting spaces year-round to full-timers. They are trying desparately to shed the Ma & Pa Kettle image of their trailer camps and are exploiting the recent run-up in real estate values here. $40 per night is the new standard. San Diego RV Resort commands $60 per night during 3-day Holiday Weekends & requires reservations for the entire 3 day block. And they are always full.

There are other places available that are a little farther out. These are just within a 20-30 minute radius of Downtown San Diego.

[Donna D.]

The magazine interviewed the owner of The San Diego RV Resort who revealed that he has a [b]10 year age limit on RV's permitted to camp there.

I guess one of the positive points of owning a trailer that is still in production (and hasn't changed in looks one iota in 25 years), is my trailer can "become" a 1998 model [b]IF absolutely necessary.

[Frederick L. Simson]

I thought I would re-visit this topic for all of the snow bound people out there. I have updated my list to include 2 government run campgrounds that I had overlooked in the past.

If you want to be closest to downtown San Diego, your choices are:
(811)Campland On The Bay
(825)Chula Vista RV Resort
(N/A)Santa Fe Park

The last time I surveyed prices, the lowest cost private campground is:
(947)San Diego Metro KOA

Next to a San Diego Trolley Stop:
(948)San Diego RV Resort

Convenience in the eye of the beholder; within sight of the freeway:
(N/A)Santa Fe Park (Interstate 5)
(948)San Diego RV Resort (Interstate 8)
(876)La Pacifica RV Resort (Interstate 5)

Parks with restrictive entrance rules:
(947)San Diego RV Resort
(701)Santee Lakes Regoinal Park & Campground

[Frederick L. Simson]

...the owner of The San Diego RV Resort who revealed that he has a [b]10 year age limit on RV's permitted to camp there.

This was previously a campground that I had recommended, but no longer.

In fairness, as an owner of a 29 year old coach, My bias is showing.
From my general observation, [b]The San Diego RV Resort would be the most convenient location in the area. However, freeway noise in front and Trolley noise in back might be distractions... and they are relatively expensive, even for San Diego.

[David & Leslie]

Hi, Frederick, and thanx for this list I'm sure we will find it useful for future San Diego visits.

Re: SD RV Resort in La Mesa - is this 'age thing' something new? We stayed there in Sept (on Passport America rate, too) for several days in our 1993, but no one questioned the 'vintage'. Since those we visit in SD have small driveways and busy lives, we thought this would be a recurring spot to be conveniently "out of their way". Guess we'll play it by ear and keep your neat list handy just in case.

Thanx again, & happiest of holidays to you guys. L 'n D (the NO SNOW) folks

[Frederick L. Simson]

Re: SD RV Resort in La Mesa - is this 'age thing' something new? [b]We stayed there in Sept (on Passport America rate, too) for several days in our 1993, but no one questioned the 'vintage'.

The [b]December, 2005 issue of Trailer Life magazine has an article that reminded me of this previous post. The article's title is "Not in MY Campground"

The article I quoted did state that the park would not be so strict if the coach were in good condition. They cited an example of "an older Airstream" if I remember correctly.
And, as Donna said, a Scamp is a classic design, virtually unchanged in appearance from the beginning. I guess they would even allow [b]me in if I waxed the Fiber Stream.

[George Cathcart]

May I add?:
We would add our personal favorite San Elijo State Beach to Frederick's great list. It's at the outer limits of Frederick's distances, but within 25 miles from downtown S.D. via I-5. Weekend reservations are often sold out, but try weekdays (starting Sunday through Thursday). Ocean front sites are great. Interior sites are not bad. But, try to avoid any site backing onto Coast Hwy---much auto/truck traffic noise all day and all night long. (From any site, you'll get the railroad noise and whistles, but either enjoy or tune it out.)
South Carlsbad State Beach is similar, another six miles north.

And, may I comment?:
Silver Strand State Beach---gorgeous location on Frederick's list! One reminder---I believe they still only permit fully self-contained trailers, RV's.

[Frederick L. Simson]

[b]May I add?:
We would add our personal favorite San Elijo State Beach to Frederick's great list.
...South Carlsbad State Beach is similar, another six miles north.

[b]And, may I comment?:
Silver Strand State Beach---gorgeous location on Frederick's list! One reminder---I believe they still only permit fully self-contained trailers, RV's.

Thank you George! I'm always happy to hear a visitor's opinion.
This local can sometimes become a little jaded; a fresh perspective would encourage me to try to play tourist in my own hometown.

(123) [b]San Elijo State Beach
Coast Highway 101, 2 miles south of Encinitas Boulevard
Telephone:760-753-5091 Reservations 800-444-7275
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=662

(134) [b]South Carlsbad State Beach
7201 Carlsbad Boulevard, (1.6 miles south of Palomar Airport Road)
760-438-3143
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=660

There are other places available that are a little farther out. (The first 10) are just within a 20-30 [b]minute radius of Downtown San Diego.

[Kim T]

Hi Frederick,

Thank you for the list of SD camping spots. I am hoping that "Fiona" (yes, I named my Fiberglass RV) will have working lights soon and we will be on the road. My holiday is going to be spent figuring out where the 'bad" ground is...

Kim T of San Diego