CAMPGROUNDS NEAREST BORDER - SAN DIEGO

There have been so many requests on where to camp near the Baja border crossings in San Diego area that I thought it might be helpful to start a list of places to camp while preparing for a Baja trip.

Here are a few in San Diego County that I have used over the years. I have included only those places that are reasonably close to the US/BAJA border. Hope this helps with your trips to the greatest place on earth. ...BAJA.

California State Parks:

South Carlsbad State Beach
Carlsbad Blvd. (Coast Hwy 101)
Carlsbad (760) 438-3143
This is a nice state beach campground, but almost impossible to find a place on the weekends…besides being a little distance to the border.

San Diego County Parks:

Guajome RV Park, Oceanside/Vista
(760)724-4489
Directions: From I-5 take Highway 76 east 7.5 miles to Guajome Lake Rd. Turn right on Guajome Lake Rd. and proceed to the park main entrance. From I-15 take Highway 76 west for 10 miles to Guajome Lake Rd. Turn left at Guajome Lake Rd and proceed to the park main entrance.
A nice woodland park setting with a lake. One of my favorite places to camp near Oceanside and Vista.









San Diego Regional Park:

Santee Lakes Regional Park
9310 Fanita Parkway
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 596-3141
Coming from the north via I-5 or I-15 take Hwy 52 east to Mast exit in Santee. Follow signs to camp.
Very nice full-service campgrounds around 5 man-made lakes …full of waterfowl. One of my favorite RV parks in southern California. 20 minutes to border at San Ysidro…or easy 30 mile drive to Tecate .





Mission Trails Regional Park
Kumeyaay Lake Campground
Santee
(619) 668-2748
…..I have no experience with this campground yet.


Private Parks in San Diego area:

Casitas Poquitas
1510 S. Coast Hwy 101
Oceanside (760) 722-4404
NO EXPERIENCE


Paradise by the Sea RV Park
1537 S. Coast Hwy 101
Oceanside (760) 439-1376
I have stayed there only once. Adequate, plain concrete sites and cramped spaces. $40 something


Shamrock Trailer Park
152 N. Hwy 101
Encinitas (760) 753-4101
NO EXPERIENCE.. but looks cramped.


Campland On The Bay
2211 Pacific Beach Dr.
Pacific Beach 1-800-422-9386
I used to stay here a lot in the 80’s. Nice, full service, good location on the Bay. A little spendy today.
Last year one night cost me $72 ..my fault, I chose a premier site. Very noisy night with some drug users having party. Your choice…I will not stay again.


De Anza Harbor Resort
2727 de Anza Road
San Diego (unknown number)
NO EXPERIENCE…but heard it is spendy also.


La Pacifica RV Park
1010 W. Ysidro Blvd.
San Diego (619) 428-4411
Closest RV park to the TJ border makes it quite handy.
NO EXPERIENCE …but Skipjack Joe has used it in the past with good results.



San Diego Metropolitan KOA RV Park
3601 Edgemere Ave.
Chula Vista (619) 427-3601
Nice as far as KOA’s go. Lots of facilities, handy to everything, next to freeway. I have stayed here a few times over the years. Last rate in 2010 was $68 night - full service.

Chula Vista RV Resort
460 Sandpiper Way
Chula Vista (619) 422-0111
Nice park near marina..good views. Marina café. Full service. $50-$65 night. No older RV’s allowed. Have stayed there about 6 times. Okay.


Vacationer Travel RV Park
1581 East Main ST.
El Cajon (619) 422-0904
Stayed here for 4 nights recently. Okay, nice clubhouse, friendly folks, etc. $44 night. Next to freeway I-8. 25 minutes to San Ysidro border..and next to Hwy 94 to Tecate.




How about a HOSTEL?

Metropolitan Youth Hostel
521 Market St.
San Diego (619) 525-1531
NO EXPERIENCE..AND NONE LIKELY AT THIS STAGE OF LIFE.



Campo/Tecate area:

Portrero County Park
24800 Potrero Park Drive
Potrero (825) 565-3600

Potrero County Park features grassy meadows and hundreds of ancient oak trees. A secluded 115-acre park. A ball field, playground, and hiking trails are a few of the recreational options for picnickers. I stay there whenever I am entering Baja through Tecate. A very nice campground..quiet, peaceful, romantic. Rate is about $28 night. Very close to border.






Please add your own experiences and choices to this list.

And HAVE FUN IN BAJA!



[Edited on 11-8-2010 by Pompano]