Located in San Diego County's eastern region with elevations ranging from 500-600 feet above sea level, La Mesa offers mild year-round temperatures perfect for outdoor recreation. The area's Mediterranean climate creates ideal camping conditions with warm summers and mild winters, while the proximity to both mountains and coast allows for diverse camping experiences within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Jennings Park features a well-stocked fishing pond where visitors can catch their dinner. As one camper noted, "If you like bird watching and/or fishing you can do both right from your campsite." Some sites even allow fishing directly from your campsite.
Hike nearby trails: Dos Picos County Park offers several hiking trails through oak woodlands. A visitor mentioned, "There's a tranquil pond, nice hiking trails, places for kids to play…. Just a fantastic option close to home for locals and well worth consideration for visitors to the area."
Wildlife viewing: Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the natural setting of many campgrounds. According to one camper at William Heise County Park, "Wooded beautiful county campgrounds a couple miles from sweet town of Julian. Hiking and biking trails. Spacious campsites. Great facilities."
Visit Julian for pie: Several campgrounds are a short drive from the historic town of Julian, famous for its apple pies. One visitor to William Heise noted, "About a 10 minute drive from Julian pie co. Nice well maintained trails, easy to moderate level."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve receives consistent praise for maintenance. A camper mentioned, "The facilities are clean and well maintained. The main drawback is there is no privacy whatsoever at the sites."
Lake activities: Many campgrounds feature lake activities beyond fishing. A visitor to Santee Lakes shared, "There are walking trails and bird watching. The camp sites look dispersed and absolutely beautiful! The views are worth taking in."
Family-friendly amenities: San Diego Metro KOA offers extensive family amenities. One camper noted, "This place is glamping for sure. They have full service hookups for RVs and trailers, bungalows and cabins. Lots of amenities for the kiddos when COVID isn't around. The new pool is great."
Beach proximity: For those wanting ocean views with their glamping experience, coastal options exist. A visitor to San Elijo State Beach Campground shared, "The San Elijo Campsite, SoCal is an awesome destination for everyone. Especially camping beginners, family camping with kids, and surfers of all levels."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance planning. At South Carlsbad State Beach, a camper advised, "Pick a spot - $75 gets you on the bluff with hookups $50 gets you on the bluff but no hookups $35 gets you on the other side."
Seasonal considerations: Summer months bring more crowds and different conditions. One visitor noted, "We stayed in October with our AHG group. It was great and super dog friendly but WOW so much dirt created so much dust in the air."
Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. At San Diego Metro KOA, a camper observed, "This place is incredibly busy with lots of people, loud music, narrow spots, old hookups. Good for kids, not for couples."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife interactions. A camper at Dixon Lake shared, "We got one of the tent sights and ended up about 25 feet away from a raccoons nest they are very bold and will try to get your food right in front of you."
Tips for camping with families
Look for family-focused activities: Dixon Lake Campground offers various activities for children. A visitor mentioned, "You can do anything from hiking, fishing, pedal boating, row or motor boating, picnicking, to bird watching. The pedal boats are only $12/hour to rent (plus $12 deposit)."
Consider noise restrictions: Some campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours. At Dos Picos, a camper noted, "The only down fall if there has to be one is that the rangers are strict on when fires have to be out by. They are also strict on quiet hours at night which has always been nice."
Pack for temperature changes: Despite La Mesa's mild climate, temperatures can fluctuate. A visitor to William Heise mentioned, "We went camping over Memorial Day weekend. It was packed with lots of families but was still relaxing. Restrooms and showers were clean."
Choose sites with shade: For summer glamping in La Mesa, California, shade is important. One camper advised, "Google Earth your site. The difference between sites next to each other is big when you're talking about any versus zero shade."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability varies: Tijuana River Valley Regional Park offers basic amenities for RVers. A camper noted, "The only drawback we can think of is that all sites are primitive (no hookups). But if you don't need that this is a great place to stay."
Know your RV dump options: Some campgrounds have limited dump facilities. A visitor to Dos Picos shared, "This park is County operated. You have to drive to the RV dump to dump. It's close but you don't have the convenience to dump at your site."
Site leveling requirements: Be prepared to level your rig at some locations. One camper mentioned, "Some sites need much leveling. I know which site to reserve next time!"
Site privacy differs dramatically: Research specific site layouts before booking. A visitor to Pio Pico RV Resort said, "Camping spots are big enough for 2 8 person tents or 1 small RV and a 4 person tent. If you want glamping this is a good place but if you want to tent camp I would look somewhere else."
