RV parks near Lakeside, California sit at elevations between 400-900 feet in the foothills east of San Diego. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September, while winter nights can drop to the 40s. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering strong connections and others having limited to no reception in canyon areas.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Ramona Oaks RV Resort, the small catch-and-release pond provides easy fishing access. "I did catch a few sun fish" in the on-site pond, notes one camper who stayed in spot 21 near the water.
Beach access: Mission Bay RV Resort offers convenient bay access within walking distance. "There's a path that goes along the bay that is about a mile long," explains a reviewer who appreciated the proximity to water activities.
Local transportation: Several Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay campers mention the excellent bike paths connecting various areas. "Walking, biking, paddle boarding, boating, fishing all within the bay. Pacific, Mission, Ocean Beach areas and Bay Park are easy to get to by bicycle or Uber," writes one visitor.
Water recreation: Fiddlers Cove RV Park provides various water equipment rentals. "Kayak, boat, SUP available for rental. Easy access to all of San Diego," notes a reviewer, making it convenient for exploring San Diego Bay.
What campers like
Security features: Many RV parks maintain controlled access for safety. At Mission Bay RV Resort, "There is security at the front of the campground to wave every car into it. They are super nice and usually have a fire going at night."
Pool amenities: Escondido RV Resort maintains a clean, heated pool area. Despite facing "challenging weather conditions with heavy rain and hail from an atmospheric river, everything continued to function seamlessly- from the electric hookups to the water supply," reports one satisfied guest.
Recreational facilities: Ramona Oaks RV Resort offers multiple on-site activities. "They do have a nice playground for the kids," mentions one visitor, while another notes the availability of "a pool, spa, playground, barn, RV storage, laundry, restrooms with showers, catch & release pond."
Location convenience: Mission Bay provides excellent access to San Diego attractions. "Very close access to all of San Diego. Right off of the 5 for easy access," shares a reviewer who appreciated the central location during their monthly stay.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects sleep quality at some locations. At Ramona Oaks RV Resort, tent sites are "very close to the main road that all night long you hear semi trucks and rice burners with their loud exhaust driving down the windy road."
Utility costs: Laundry expenses vary between parks. At Mission Bay RV Resort, facilities are available but one reviewer noted, "There's a nice basketball court and clean bathrooms. There is a gated pool and hot tub."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between parks. At Mission Bay RV Resort, a long-term visitor found that "The phone service was non-existent, and the wifi didn't reach our spot. Apparently after speaking with other residents, it doesn't really reach most of the park. T mobile, ATT, And Verizon's phone service all are very poor throughout the park."
Spacing between sites: Circle RV Resort has compact sites with limited privacy. "Not a lot of room to move around," notes one reviewer, while another explains, "All in all an Ok place if you aren't actually spending your time there."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Ramona Oaks RV Resort offers dedicated children's facilities. "They do have a nice playground for the kids," reports a visitor, though they also noted that "There wasn't a lot of kids out like i thought there would be like when i used to go camping as a kid."
Swimming options: Mission Bay RV Resort provides pool access with security. "There is a gated pool and hot tub, we never used it since we just went to the beach/bay. Every time we walked by, it was empty!"
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secured from local wildlife. At Mission Bay, "Raccoons do come and will go through [trash], so make sure it's closed right!" warns a camper who stayed monthly at the resort.
Activity planning: San Diego RV Resort offers varied recreation options. "Definite parking lot vibe... Good for riding bikes. Also lots of kid friendly activities, like arts and crafts etc.," explains a reviewer who appreciated the programming despite the urban setting.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Vacationer RV Park, site quality varies significantly. "Some sites are nice and others are...not so nice. Pull-thru sites are well kept. Sites closest to entrance on the left are the nicest it seems," advises a full-time resident who stayed for two months.
Extended stays: Several parks offer monthly rates for longer visits. "We did a monthly stay… about $500 less than the campground right next to it," reports a Mission Bay visitor who found value in the extended-stay option.
Security codes: Most RV parks in the area maintain gated access systems. Ramona Oaks RV Resort "has a coded security gate which changes monthly," according to a reviewer familiar with their procedures.
Setup space: Campsite dimensions vary between parks. At Ramona Oaks, one camper in a tent trailer found they "had plenty of room to set up an outdoor sitting and cooking areas" at their assigned spot near the pond.
