This is 1 of 2 dispersed car camping options in the Descanso RD, the other being Pine Creek road (You do need a wilderness permit from the Cleveland NF-Descanso Ranger District, free). But after driving all of Pine Creek rd. from north to Pine Valley in south, I didn’t find the ideal site I was looking for (Trees for the hammock, shade, nice flat clearing for the tent, not right next to road).
So I went to my option B here at Kitchen Creek rd., and wow this should have been my first option! Found the perfect spot here! More trees, less hilly, various secluded sites, peaceful quiet, couldn’t ask for more. The border patrol gate 3 miles in marks the end of the road for cars, but can still explore on foot past that. I’ll give Pine Creek rd. another try, maybe the nicer spots were all occupied… but Kitchen Creek is my go-to now for wilderness camping around Mt. Laguna!