I will get to San Diego area RV Campsites soon but first….. Today is the day we get to go look at this remodeled 1991 Jayco pop up!! I AM SO EXCITED!! Our goal was to buy an older PUP and do the reno ourselves. However this one “popped up” (he he) on Craigslist Sunday and we have to go look at it.
Check out our post on how to create the Most Comfortable Popup Camper Bed!
I was looking forward to taking on a renovation myself but we are anxious to start our new adventure. I’m sure we will have a few projects and upgrades of our own to add. I know it needs a new battery which is a small cost at Walmart. The Pop Up Princess has a great post about installing a new battery and maintenance. We will install the battery monitor and add a portable toilet as well (more on that later).
UPDATE: We did go look at this cute pop up camper. However the canvas was not in good shape at all. For the right price I think we’d be willing to take on the almost $1000 project to put on new canvas. But they were asking too much for the pop up and we felt we wouldn’t be able to agree on a price due to the renovated interior. Oh well! Back to the search!
In addition to purchasing a pop up camper, we need to decide where to head on our first camping trip! We live in San Diego so we are going to stay close to home for the first one. Then venture further out from San Diego area RV campsites when we feel like we actually know what we are doing.
The Travel Channel has a nice list of spectacular camp spots in California to reference but none of their recommendations are really close to San Diego. I’ve come up with this San Diego area RV Campsites list that we are going to choose from. NOTE: For most of these you need to reserve MONTHS in advance (even for winter months). It will be interesting to see what I find for a last-minute reservation. Use this link to reserve most California State Park campsites: https://www.reservecalifornia.com/CaliforniaWebHome/
San Diego area RV Campsites
- Silver Strand State Beach (Coronado) – Silver Strand State Beach features extensive beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. The beaches and mild climate make Silver Strand one of the area’s finest recreation destinations. Camping, swimming, surfing, boating, water-skiing, volleyball, and picnicking are popular activities. Anglers can fish for perch, corbina, grunion and yellow-fin croaker. Max trailer length is 40 feet. Facility has restrooms and showers on both the ocean side and bay side.
- Lake Skinner – Nestled in the rolling hills of Winchester, CA, beautiful Lake Skinner Recreational Area offers visitors expansive natural vistas and invigorating recreational opportunities, including camping, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and fishing. This popular regional park is located just a few short miles east of the Temecula Wineries, close to the bustling communities of Murrieta and Menifee, and within easy access of Interstates 15 and 215.
- Vail Lake Resort – Also near Temecula, Vail Lake Resort offers family fun activities and attractions for the whole family, including camping, mountain biking, hiking, boating, miniature golf and much more. It’s been commonly called one of the great outdoor playgrounds in Southern California.
- South Carlsbad State Beach – This San Diego beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. The large bluff-top campground is very popular, especially in summer. Stairs lead to the beach. Showers are token operated. A camp store located near the campground entrance operates March through October and provides all the amenities a camper may need (RV supplies, boogie boards, firewood, and fishing gear).
- Palomar Mountain State Park – The beautiful forest and mountain meadows of Palomar Mountain State Park are in northern San Diego County. Large pine, fir and cedar trees make the park one of the few areas in southern California with a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere. The park features camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing (trout) in Doane Pond. Coniferous forests cover much of the 1,862 acres, in contrast to the dry lowlands surrounding the mountain.
- Campland On The Bay – Located on the shores of Mission Bay, Campland has been a vacation spot for families since 1969. The balmy climate, proximity to Sea World, Legoland, San Diego Zoo, the Gaslamp Quarter and other area attractions, combined with Campland’s amenities, make this beachfront playground a legendary family retreat. The property includes: swimming pool and accompanying Jacuzzis, immaculate bathrooms and showers. It has a marina with 124 slips, watercraft and bicycle rentals. A game room, restaurant, market, laundry facilities, WIFI, and camp sites ranging from primitive to full hook-up RV, and a Super Site–complete with a private patio and jacuzzi, grill, and a spectacular view of the marshland and bird sanctuary.
- Mission Trails Regional Park – Mission Trails Regional Park encompasses 7,220 acres of both natural and developed recreational areas with rugged hills, valleys and open areas. Centrally located and only eight miles from downtown San Diego, the park provides a quick, natural escape from the urban hustle and bustle.The Kumeyaay Lake Campground is open for Friday and Saturday night camping. The 46 campsites are available for reservation on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve – Santee Lakes is located in the heart of the east county just outside of San Diego, in the city of Santee. This beautiful, privately owned 194 acre park and 300 full hook-up Campground, surround seven scenic lakes. The lakes are stocked year-round and there is no State license required, just a permit from our General Store. Rent a pedal boat, rowboat or canoe and spend the day cruising around the islands. There are over 5 miles of trails for walking, running and biking and over 200 species of birds that call Santee Lakes home.
- San Elijo State Beach – Located right on the water this state beach has great swimming, surfing, biking and hiking. You can book up to 6 months in advance. Max trailer length is 35 feet. **Beginning January 2018-June 2019, California State Parks will be constructing the new Lifeguard Headquarters building at San Elijo State Beach. Construction will occur Monday-Friday, but major electrical and plumbing work will keep some of the campsites closed. There may be construction noise during the week.
San Diego area RV Campsites – MILITARY (Active Duty and Retired)
- Fiddler’s Cove Marina and RV Park – Fiddler’s Cove offers kayak, canoe, and sailboat rentals, as well as 15′ Boston Whaler motorboats that hold up to four adults. Also available are slip rentals, showers, restrooms, a laundry facility and chandlery store. Other features include lock-and-leave storage locker rentals, bike rentals and bike paths, dump station, dog run, and wireless Internet.
- Camp Pendleton – Del Mar Beach, at the southern end of the base, and San Onofre beach on the northern end offer miles of magnificent surf in the heart of Southern California.
- Lake O’Neill Campsites – Lake O’Neill Recreational Park (also at Camp Pendleton) offers fishing, hiking, watercrafts, rowboats, RV and tent camping, cabanas, playgrounds (includes ADA playground), basketball, softball, ADA miniature golf and a peninsula for group activities.
