San Diego County encompasses over 4,200 square miles with camping options ranging from sea level coastal sites to mountain campgrounds at elevations over 4,000 feet. Temperature variations can be significant, with coastal areas rarely exceeding 80°F while inland locations regularly hit 90-100°F during summer months. Campgrounds near San Diego typically fill to capacity during spring wildflower season and holiday weekends.
What to do
Hiking trails with fishing access: Lake Jennings Campground connects to several trail systems where campers can combine hiking with fishing opportunities. "Very pretty! Drove around to check out the scene. Definitely some nice tent and RV spots. Nice views of the lake!" says Paul G. about the Lake Jennings Park.
Wildlife observation: At William Heise County Park, many campers report seeing wild turkeys and deer wandering through the campsites. According to one visitor, "Great trees, privacy between sites and wild turkeys wandering through the sites. Nice hot showers and a great dump station to empty my tanks. The town of Julian is close by."
Beach activities with equipment rental: Campland on the Bay offers equipment rentals including paddleboards and kayaks for water activities. A visitor notes, "We've tent camped and brought our 5th wheel. It's a beautiful location with lots of amenities. Many people don't know about the dog park, which is quite large!"
Mountain biking: The trails around Dos Picos County Park accommodate mountain bikes with varying difficulty levels. "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," mentions Wes L.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Dos Picos County Park receives consistent praise for maintained facilities. As Colleen D. explains, "The well-maintained campground boasts paved pads for most sites, making setup a breeze. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, perfect for cozy campfires and outdoor meals."
Dog-friendly accommodations: Many dog friendly campgrounds near San Diego have designated pet areas. "Took the family out here to check out the blue glowing algae and they loved it. Went swimming a few other times. Can see some dolphins in the water and it has some great shells along the beach!" reports Paul G. about Silver Strand State Beach.
Lakeside activities: Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offers multiple fishing lakes with stocked fish. A visitor shares: "There's lots for kids to do here! Feed the ducks, fish, ride the pedal boats. It's an awesome place for a day outside!"
Urban proximity with natural setting: Several campgrounds balance city access with natural surroundings. "This place is plopped right in the middle of a busy suburban area but you could never tell once you're inside! It feels like you're miles and miles away from anything!" says Shelene L. about San Diego Metro KOA.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Sites near highways experience traffic noise. At Sweetwater Summit Regional Park, a camper notes: "Nice camp ground. Get there early it is busy. Nice showers and water."
Reservation timing: For popular pet-friendly campsites, especially during peak seasons, reservations may need to be made 3-6 months in advance. One camper at Santee Lakes warns: "I have been trying for 2 1/2 years to get back in, almost every day so we can visit our grandchildren... They ALWAYS have Friday to Sunday blocked off forever."
Variable cell service: Some campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Thousand Trails Pio Pico, a visitor shares: "No cell service at all, but I did get a little with my WeBoost. I wasn't expecting much with mountains all around."
Site selection strategy: At Lake Jennings, one camper advises: "We chose Site 91 because it was at the top of a moderate hill at the end of the road, in an attempt to experience reduced traffic from other campers. The site was a Preferred View site and it did not disappoint!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: William Heise County Park offers family programming at their amphitheater. A regular visitor shares: "This is a favorite for us. We have camped here with many other families and it's great. We can hike, play football/soccer in the meadow and join in when they have activities at the amphitheater."
Splashpads and swimming: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near San Diego feature water play areas. About Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, one visitor notes: "Clean fun fair price.... very strict camp fires out by 10 one no music after 9:00 on weekends."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular family events. At Campland on the Bay, a parent shares: "My kids favorite event is the dodgeball games on the basketball courts. The whole day revolves around those. There is so much for adults and kids to do that you can choose to relax or be up and going all day."
Safety considerations: For families with young children, site location matters. One visitor to Lake Jennings cautions: "I'm deducting a full star because our neighbors were blasting profanity-laced music until late in the night. They also brought a TV and were loudly listening to a UFC broadcast which really ruined the whole vibe."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: When staying at San Diego Metro KOA, RVers note that electrical hookups differ by section. A visitor notes: "Clean sites, and super friendly staff make this an easy and fun place to set up your rig. But, if you are looking for being in nature, this isn't the best spot. The calming sounds of the I-5 swoon you to sleep."
Site leveling requirements: Many RV sites require significant leveling. At Circle RV Resort, a visitor notes: "Not a lot of room to move around."
Site width considerations: For RVs with slideouts, check site widths before booking. At Sweetwater Summit, Josh L. explains: "We stayed one night with an trailer and a tent, it was clean, nice and well maintained. Not much to do in terms of nature settings, but if you're looking for something cheap for full hookups close to town, it's a great spot."
Tree interference: Some sites have low-hanging branches. One camper at San Diego Metro KOA warns: "Trees drop sticky droppings all over your camper and awning... not to mention your truck and camp site."
