Best Tent Camping near San Diego, CA

General: A mix of partial hook-up and tent sites plus six cabins about an hour from San Diego. 

Site Quality: All the sites have paved pads except 64-68 and 70-75; these have gravel pads. These sites also have a curb which can be a bit challenging when backing in an RV. A fire ring and picnic table complete the site. Some have better separation/privacy than others. This area had a lot of recent rain so the creek that meanders through the park was very high. Sites 74 and 75 were flooded and unoccupied when we were there.

Bathhouse: The one closest to site 73 was very basic (no hooks, shelves, or mirror); there was also one handicap-accessible separate bathroom. Although there were showers in other parts of the campground, there were not any in the bathhouse closest to our site.

Activities/Amenities: Campfire program, horseshoe pit, short nature trail, dump station. There is also a large, enclosed picnic pavilion. This park seemed to attract family groups (at least on a Friday) and it was great to see so many kids around the campground not on their devices! Appreciate the dishwashing sink and the propane canister recycling. 

We had to change our plans at the last minute so we were fortunate to secure a site at this park on a Friday night in late March and it was fine for an overnight.

I was looking for a place to camp that wasn't too far from San Diego and offered some hiking in the desert landscape. The grounds are quite large - there's 2 pools and rec centers.

One rec center is designed more for kids with a pool table, air hockey, shuffleboard, and games. The other, more main center has TV, shuffleboard, ping pong, and a built in cafe. You can also rent out sports equipment from the main center, including golf putters for the mini golf course, baseball bats and balls for the diamond, and a few lawn games. There is WiFi access from this building and it appears they even do movie nights plus a few more community-related events, which is nice considering most people who stay here appeared to be doing so long term and having those options keeps the boredom at bay.

Heck, someone even built a track for RC cars to race on, and there is a laundry center as well. Showers were nice and warm, and not coin operated - a rarity given the water droughts around CA.

Since you're in the desert, having pools to cool off in was something I appreciated the longer I was in the heat. I did a hike in the area (TAKE LOTS OF WATER AND WATCH FOR RATTLESNAKES) and a dip in the pool was a great way to finish it off.

I gave this place 4 out of 5 for the following:

The price tag. $41 for a tent site it too much, even for private campgrounds. I presume this is because even the most primitive sites still offer electric hook ups, and $40ish is usually what you pay for those features - I just wish for a place that offers 500+ spots that some should be available without the hookups and for a lower price.

The other reason is because some of the amenities need upkeep. It's great to be able to offer things like mini golf and to have the land for a baseball diamond, but both were well overdue for maintenance.

This Is a really fun family friendly campsite that is a short drive from San Diego. There are convenient market within a 10 minute drive of the site for extra supplies. The state park visitor center is just up the road, and that is a fun visit for people curious about the area, or for kids to be involved in junior ranger activities.

On our last visit to this side, we did a very fun day hike with our floor-year-old and six-year-old. We also participated in a junior ranger event that was put on at the campsite. The campsite some cells are very well-maintained. The majority of the other people staying at this site word families, and everybody was veryrespectful Of each other’s campsites, and the bathroom facilities are very well-maintained. :-)

All and All, one of our favorite sites for a quick get out of town, and get into nature sites in the San Diego area.

The drive up here from San Diego is quick and picturesque. You'll pass through a couple quaint and historic little mountain towns, but Julian is the best stop. Make sure to grab some pie and hard cider before you leave, apples grow everywhere in Julian. As for the campgrounds, they are located at an elevation of 4,200 ft and feature rolling hills with deer and wild turkeys! We were able to see both, as well as a pack of 20 raccoons when we were about to go to sleep. Most sites have trees, but you can't tie anything to them FYI. Bathrooms and showers were close and very clean...bring quarters for the showers.

This is my favorite out of the two campgrounds in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. While both have their positives, I personally love this one for its close proximity to the waterfalls that are a short trail from the campsites. Depending on what campsite you are in, you can walk to the trail and down to the falls which are perfect for swimming around when it is hot outside. I love this campground for a quick weekend getaway from San Diego that has minimal preparation. Every site is a drive up site, most have shade and there are plenty of bathrooms. Most sites also have a fire ring and picnic table to use as well. A perfect, lower cost campsite that is great for families and people who want an easy camping experience with some water involved!

I loved how accessible this campsite was, especially if you're coming from San Diego. Our site had electricity and water, a fire pit, and a picnic table. There were plenty of sites to go around. The rangers were helpful and the facilities were very well maintained. You can buy firewood from the front entrance or get some from the local general store down the street. There were coin operated showers available and bathrooms at each end of the campground. It did get pretty hot during the day, so I would bring a canopy if you have one. My boyfriend and I hit the trails in the afternoon and at night. We saw wild turkeys and the stars were endless. Overall, I loved staying here. This was a perfect escape from the madness going on right now.

Overall I’d rate this park a“meh.” It’s an okay location, across the highway and a short walk from a “beach” (more like a little beachy play area), though it’s also right up against the train tracks. Oceanside as a town is pretty cute, depending on which part you're in. You’re also a very close drive to Lego Land and not too far from San Diego and such. Since campgrounds in Southern California tend to be very, very expensive, this one falls about in the middle.

The spots were okay. Not too tight, but not cute. There's some fences and scrub-trees in-between the spots, so that helps a bit. There’s also a dog area, which is helpful. Bathrooms okay. Nothing special. Like I said, mostly a “meh.”

When we were there, there was also a bit of construction and such going on. In reading other reviews online it looks like there’s a new owner as of some time in 2019, so it may end up nicer in the future. But as it was, I’d try somewhere else first if you can find other options more to your liking.

Located at Lake Cuyamaca in Julian. Gorgeous views of the lake!!!! Picnic area, tent camping sites, and also cabins and condos as well. This place is so serene and peaceful as you are tucked in adjacent to the 110 acre lake. Only lake in San Diego that has stock trout all year. Other fish include Florida bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, and sturgeon. Sits at over 4,000 elevation with Mt Laguna right up the road. Huge bathrooms here with running water. Fee is rarely cheap. Great campground for families or just as a day escape from the city.

This campground is a great little hidden gem of a getaway tucked into the Laguna mountains just 50 or so miles from San Diego. At alt 6000 feet in mountain forests, you feel like you are far away from it all. The camp sites are generously spaced adding to the seclusion. It is a family campground, so just know the weekends are going to be full of kids and pets, but weekday camping will present the peace of wind and birds. Bathrooms are clean and water is available everywhere. Not many spaces for big rigs, but lots if you’re in the 20’ range. One whole section is fir first-come, first-serve.

Access to the PCT for a stretch of very easy hiking right out of the campground. A cafe at the entrance and a general store up the road a couple of miles.

Advise stopping at a local grocery for firewood, tho. Is expensive ($8/bundle) at the campground and it’s not even local. They have it shipped in.

Lastly the price here is not $25/ nite as listed. At yhe time of this writing (4/2022) it is $29/nite

Sweet Oaks winery campgrounds has 16 sites available for both tent camping and RV’s (no hook-ups). It’s pretty close to grocery stores and big box stores just in case you forgot some gear/supplies. They have a beautiful well-kept property with super-clean restrooms (no showers). They do have a water hose for you to fill up your tanks or Jerry cans. They didn’t allow campfires due to high fire danger though. You’ll have to bring your own fire pit setup if they ever allow them in the future. It was a beautiful walk around the vineyards but there are also hiking trails nearby. It’s off a road suitable for road bikes but there are also mountain bike trails nearby. They have equestrian activities also available for guests. We were able to get our tin top Eurovan to fit on one of their tent sites which offered a beautiful view of Temecula valley. The wine tasting room was closed due to the pandemic but you can order wine online and they will deliver to your site. One more thing, we counted about 8 hot air balloons as we had breakfast!

Pros:

easy to get to, nice amenities

right next to Julian (perfect for day trips into town)

there are a few campsites where you can create some privacy (much more so than many other San Diego park campgrounds)

cool, easy trails to hike nearby

Cons:

most campsites are right on top of each other, many don't provide shade. One occasion, a family with a giant RV parked in the middle of the tent campground area, their generator/other RV components were extremely loud, and they brought two power wheel cars that their young children promptly began to drive around (adding to the sounds of other battery-powered crap) at 6am. My solace came when the batteries finally died.

rangers are constantly patrolling and there are A TON of rules for the campground ("quiet hours", no ropes or anything else tied to the trees)

the area is ridden with flies at certain times of the year- i believe it was late summer

I thought I would hate Campland. It is the opposite of what I imagine camping to be. There are two swimming pools and hot tubs. A stage for music, grocery, arcade, pizza cafe, marina, beach with water rentals and lots of people (it fills up all summer). Instead I loved it. The same you might love Coney Island. It's perfect for being what it is.

Campsites for RVs are well shaded and they have mini privacy walls separating every couple of sites. Tent sites are a little more hit or miss with shade and you can see they have a large population of car-campers taking the less shaded sites. They have clean bathrooms and showers.

The place is built like a mini city right on Mission Bay with views of downtown San Diego. It's definitely a different type of camping. According to the employees at the desk a lot of the RV sites are reserved years in advance by the same families who come the same week every year. You definitely will see plenty of kids running around and 50 foot rvs towing jeeps and golf carts. There is a big "meadow" near the beach for napping and there is a full stage for music events which they hold weekly in the summer. It is the best spot to watch the nightly fireworks from the nearby Sea World.

They have enforced quiet hours which makes a huge impact with all the families. It is dog friendly. It is a great spot for staying if you want to visit San Diego and be right on the water. The marina has boats, kayaks, surf, etc for rent.

But...It's not really camping! You can walk from there to the main drag of Pacific Beach/Mission Beach or even to the ocean (just over a mile.)

68-year old, still tenderfoot tent camper. This was my first experience in California after three prior stays in Texas and Arizona. The San Diego County system centrally handles reservations of its campgrounds, which was fortunate for me. I mistakenly reserved one campground thinking it was another (my preferred, Potrero), but it was 30 miles away. Even though I paid for two nights in advance, their phone reservations help was superb and got me transferred without any hiccups. Big shout-out to the ranger at Potrero for suggesting. I interacted with several and they were all professional, friendly and helpful.

There's one central plumbed restroom and shower facility. Further out along the tent sites there was a hand portapotty. When you first drive in you'll go past a very large day-use area with its own facilities before you get to the overnight camping sites. Alcohol is permitted if alcohol content < 20%.

My site #7 was the last in the row of tent-only sites and appeared to be the largest with plenty of shade and flat pad site. Without seeing other tents it's a little hard to gauge size, but I'd guess walking by the other sites that there's probably at least 80-100 feet between tent pads, or even more. Lots of open spaces. The seven tent sites shared a couple (maybe more) of water spigots.

The primary annoyance was with the park's neighbors who seemingly had a whole pound of dogs who barked loudly through the nights. Given how otherwise silent it was, it was the barking was noticeable and to be distinguished from the coyotes, birds and owls. I think I also heard roosters crowing each morning as early as 3am.

The major event of my stay was the arrival of, as Steely Dan sang, "Here come those Santa Ana winds again …" At 5 a.m. the first morning, it was still and quiet as can be (sans the neighborhood dogs). A few minutes later, the winds hit. For the next 11 hours, surviving the wind 30-40 mph sustained winds, gusts over 50 was the only concern – both for my little tent and my car and myself due to the wind effects on the large trees surrounding us. In the end, there was no noticeable damage but seldom have I spent a full day out in the weather like that.

All in all, I'm not sure you could ask for more at about $25/night. Although I would've paid double if there were a no-wind option. I also had two great tent parties my second night, a couple about my age who were returning to California after summering in Baja, and a young woman from Germany traveling by herself around the world. Interesting neighbors to say the least.

At site #7 I had zero T-Mobile signal. Outside the Ranger Station I could get at most, 2 bars LTE.

It's a fine campground. There is a check-in kiosk that was well run and you can pay for an extra car or an open site with a credit card.* The sites are set up in two main loops. One for big campers and one for the rest of us. There is no real separation between sites.

This is convenience based campground. You're at the jump-off for some challenging yet accessible hikes into the desert. Close enough to town to ride a bike for ice cream. The camp has flush toilets and token based showers.** Each site has a deep fire pit, a picnic table under a shade pergola, and access to a nearby water source. Oh yeah, and it's less than two hours from San Diego.

The outer ring sites look out towards the desert. You'll always know you're in civilization, but they offer the illusion of solitude...if you can tune out the generators. There will be generators, and probably unattended kids riding e-bikes or kicking balls at you as your try to use the bathroom. Site 75 is a great site because in addition to looking out away from inner loop, the fire place is set further away from driveway and picnic table. Site 56 is fine. It's just fine.

Temper your expectations for desert solitude, appreciate the conveniences for what they are, and this becomes a four star site. The site is mostly, always, definitely full, but cancellations offer last chance drive up opportunities. The park rangers said that most sites were booked through the entire season which ends at the end of April, and we couldn't find a site when searching online for a second night (Saturday), but there were at least three open sites whose reservations had been canceled we could have stayed in.

Notes:

Anza is particularly great for star gazing and spring flowers. There are often big horn sheep along the Palm Canyon trail leaving camp. We met one we named Barnabas. 

Extra vehicles are an additional $10.

*Pro-tip: Fire wood is cash only. It's not bad 3 bundles for $20. If you don't have cash, you can find wood in town for cheaper without the convenience of it being at camp.

**Pro-tip: Showers require tokens which are purchased from a machine. 2 tokens for $1. 1 token = 2m in the shower.

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