BajaNomad - us side rv parks

us side rv parks

absinvestor - 1-19-2010 at 09:49 PM

We're entering Baja through Tecate. We would like to stay on the US side the day before. This will give us some time to cross the border in a tow car the day before to get tourist cards, exchange money etc so we can get an early start the following morning. Are there any rv parks (on the US side) reasonably close to the Tecate border crossing? Thanks Ron

Diver - 1-19-2010 at 10:07 PM

Potrero County Park is 8 miles from the border.
Very nice place.

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/Camping/potrero.html

absinvestor - 1-20-2010 at 12:13 AM

Thanks. Never thought to look for a State/County park. Thanks again. Ron

henshaw - 1-20-2010 at 07:29 AM

Potrero County Park is a nice clean park, can get windy at times. You may want to camp close to the club house to block the wind.
When will you be there and where are you heading? We'll be there on 2/15 traveling south with a group of Vagabundos. If you see us stop bt and say hello.
Have a good trip.

Bob & Susie

Portrero County Park

Pompano - 1-20-2010 at 08:39 AM

We have been staying at Portrero Co. Park for many years..prior to making the Tecate-Ensendada trip on the way to Baja Sur.

A great place to unwind from the long haul across country to get to southern California from Up North. A little bit of a commute to shopping areas in La Mesa or El Cajon,but worth it for the peace and quiet.

Another alternative I use is Santee Lakes RV Park. Probably my favorite of all the San Diego area parks.

Also Guacome Co. Park east of Oceanside is a very nice place.

Of all the San Diego RV parks I have stayed in 35 years, these three stand out over all the rest. Unless you need to be close to the mobs and malls...

p.s. We were once asked to leave Chula Vista Marina and RV Park....for dragging our sewer hose down the camp streets....OPPS! :spingrin:

oladulce - 1-20-2010 at 09:13 AM

We just spent a week in our camper at a CA state campground while loading stuff that was in storage. Wow, when did the prices skyrocket?

$35 per night for a "tent spot" without hook ups (plus $15 per day for an extra vehicle)

$60 / night for hookups

Don't exchange all your dollars for pesos, you'll need them for the state campground fees if you extend your stay at all.

And bring quarters- it cost 25 cents for a 2 minute shower.

Pompano - 1-20-2010 at 09:27 AM

Oladuce..I agree that California prices are outrageous. As a comparison, we have found great deals Up North...Oregon, Wash, Montana, Sask, MB.

The Portrero parks was very reasonable..I think about 28 bucks for full hookups.

Santee has full hookups, cable, etc. for about 35.

Guajome was okay at 30 something for water/elec..with sewer dump free and lots of amenities for picnics, meetings, etc.

I tried the California state beach campgrounds..twice..then gave up on the mobs and noise. I didn't buy a RV to look into the next camper's window. :rolleyes:

Note: ND, my home state, has many free full-service RV parks and campgrounds set up by town Chamber of Commerce. It is SO lonely up there...they just want some company!

DENNIS - 1-20-2010 at 09:34 AM

Here's another nice one not too far from Tecate:

http://www.thecampingsource.com/campground/California/Jamul/...

henshaw - 1-20-2010 at 11:04 AM

So be careful what your wish for. Enjoy

absinvestor - 1-20-2010 at 02:59 PM

Thanks to all for the great advice and info. To Bob and Suzie we'll be there before you. We are leaving Seattle either this Friday or Saturday. We will be taking our time but taking interstate 5 so will be 4 pretty easy days to the border. We'll be in Baja a couple of months spending some time at Bahia of Los Angeles,Bahia de Concepcion, La Paz and Todo Santos. Our license plate is retird7- if you see us stop and say hello. Ron and Patty

Diver - 1-20-2010 at 05:04 PM

$24 per night with hook-ups at Potrero (water and power).
That's a big jump up from $22 last year !?
Dump station on the way out, hot showers with good pressure, clean, quiet, secure, spacious .....
We've stayed there for many years and enjoyed every stay.

UnoMas - 1-20-2010 at 06:32 PM

absinvestor,
I agree with Diver, Potrero is a great place to launch a trip into Baja. Also a good lay over for a day to rest. Hiking trails that take you where you can see where the Natives ground the acorns from the big oak trees on the rocks if intrested in that sort of thing. Very quiet at night too. Have a great trip. :yes:

mojo_norte - 1-21-2010 at 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver
$24 per night with hook-ups at Potrero (water and power).
That's a big jump up from $22 last year !?
Dump station on the way out, hot showers with good pressure, clean, quiet, secure, spacious .....
We've stayed there for many years and enjoyed every stay.

That seems pretty reasonable for the area. The state beach parks are asking $35 for no hookups ($28 last year) $60? for hookups.

absinvestor - 1-28-2010 at 12:25 AM

We arrived at Potrero park this afternoon. Only us and one other camper in the entire campground. $24/night plus $1 for each dog. (We travel with two dogs.) Showers are hot and free. Surprised that we get good cell service (ATT) and good internet reception with our ATT wireless card. This park is off the beaten path and over 2000 ft in elevation. It takes a while to get to but we really like it. Thanks to all who recommended it. Ron and Patty

unbob - 1-31-2010 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by absinvestor
We arrived at Potrero park this afternoon. Only us and one other camper in the entire campground. $24/night plus $1 for each dog.

Now dogs are charged a "camping fee"? How much is the camping fee for my pet lizard?

Welcome to America - land of the rip-off!

David K - 1-31-2010 at 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oladulce
We just spent a week in our camper at a CA state campground while loading stuff that was in storage. Wow, when did the prices skyrocket?

$35 per night for a "tent spot" without hook ups (plus $15 per day for an extra vehicle)

$60 / night for hookups

Don't exchange all your dollars for pesos, you'll need them for the state campground fees if you extend your stay at all.

And bring quarters- it cost 25 cents for a 2 minute shower.

Government Run (wrong/ left thinkers): Prices go UP when business is bad, punishes the few who still can spend money... leaves a bad taste, hurts future business.

Private Run (right thinkers): Prices go DOWN when business is bad, attracts more business when people have less spending money... leaves a good taste. helps future business.

mulegemichael - 1-31-2010 at 02:20 PM

ya ALWAYS have to politicize it don't ya david...geeez

rts551 - 1-31-2010 at 02:58 PM

He just can't help it

and I guess he just didn't read about the good deal at Potrero.More seledctive nonthinking on his part

Diver - 1-31-2010 at 03:02 PM

Gotta say something to get 20 'THOUSAND' posts ! lol:

Bajaboy - 1-31-2010 at 06:52 PM

No DK! Fees go up when tax revenues go down often from tax cuts. Why is that so hard for you to figure out?

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

David K - 1-31-2010 at 06:54 PM

Kool aid tastes good, eh boys? :lol:

Bajaboy - 1-31-2010 at 06:58 PM

Another option is Sweetwater Regional Park, another County campground here in San Diego. They are currently adding 46 new campsites. It's an easy drivre to either Tecate, Otay Mesa, or San Ysidro. Also, there are plenty of stores such as WalMart, Trader Joes, Target, grocery stores, Borders, etc. a few miles south of the campground.
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/Camping/sweetwater.html
Here's a description:
Visitors to this 540-acre regional park have quite a palette of activities to choose from. The Summit Site, atop a hill overlooking the Sweetwater Valley, offers modern campsites – including some with corrals for equestrians who want to bring their horses and explore the miles of trails in the area. Below the summit are hundreds of acres of streamside vegetation, grassland, and open areas that provide a variety of habitats for hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. Campers, trailers, motor homes, and tent camping are all options at the sites, all of which have water and electricity. Trailers as long as 45 feet will find plenty of room here. Hot showers are available for all campers. One of the major attractions at the park is the pavilion. This covered structure and its kitchen facilities are especially suited for group campers. An adjacent local park features a lawn area and picnic tables with panoramic views of the countryside.