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Best Glamping near Santee, CA

615 Reviews

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve and Lake Jennings Park provide upscale glamping accommodations in San Diego County, with both locations offering unique waterfront experiences. Santee Lakes features floating cabins directly on the water, while Lake Jennings offers premium lakeside yurts with panoramic views. Both locations provide comfortable bedding, private decks, and modern amenities that distinguish them from traditional camping. One visitor noted, "Beautiful preserve yet close to amenities. If you like bird watching and/or fishing you can do both right from your campsite." The glamping sites feature electricity, running water, and comfortable sleeping arrangements, with some accommodations including kitchenettes and private bathrooms for a truly luxurious outdoor experience.

Fishing enthusiasts particularly appreciate the lakeside glamping options, as both locations stock their lakes with fish and permit shore fishing directly from glamping sites. Hiking trails surround both properties, with Lake Jennings offering particularly scenic sunset views from its hillside glamping locations. While swimming isn't permitted in either lake (they serve as drinking water reservoirs), Santee Lakes compensates with swimming pools and paddle boat rentals for water recreation. According to a camper, "The preferred view sites did not disappoint! Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing and made for the perfect vista." For families, Santee Lakes includes multiple playgrounds and recreation areas, while both locations maintain quiet hours after 8pm to ensure a peaceful glamping experience. Reservations are recommended at least 6 months in advance for premium glamping accommodations, especially for weekend stays.

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Best Glamping Sites Near Santee, California (42)

    1. Lake Jennings

    33 Reviews
    Lakeside, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 390-1623

    $35 - $140 / night

    "Lake Jennings Campground is a great campsite tucked away in Lakeside, CA. There are a good amount of campsites, and plenty with great views of the lake (“Preferred View” sites)."

    "Just 30 minutes from San Diego, with friendly staff and partial or full hookups. We were in a preferred lake view site#96 which had water and electric hookups."

    2. Dos Picos County Park

    34 Reviews
    Poway, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 789-2220

    $24 - $100 / night

    "Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well."

    "The missus and I decided to do a midweek overnight escape and chose Dos Picos Park due to its close proximity.

    Great little campground with partial (electricity & water) hookups."

    3. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

    16 Reviews
    Santee, CA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (619) 596-3141

    "Set up our 16’ travel trailer at a lakeshore full hookup site #27 (no fire pit though). Kids loved the convenient fishing right behind our trailer and the swimming pools a short drive away."

    "I wish they would stock a little more fish. Great areas of campgrounds. Great water park for kids and everyone. Full hook ups. Small supply store on site."

    4. San Diego Metro KOA

    32 Reviews
    Bonita, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 427-3601

    "Heated pool, jacuzzi, bike rentals, and more. They loan you fire pits if you don’t have one. And deliver wood to your site. There is even a cafe if you don’t feel like firing up the grill."

    "Neighbors' campfires are 10 ft away from your trailer and makes your camper smell like smoke the whole next day when they start a campfire."

    5. South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    77 Reviews
    Carlsbad, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 438-3143

    $50 - $650 / night

    "South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean."

    "The breeze kept the bugs and beach heat at bay. Bathrooms were fairly clean and non-pottable water spickets also available for rinsing after the beach visit."

    6. San Elijo State Beach Campground

    38 Reviews
    Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 753-5091

    $50 - $520 / night

    "If you wanna go on a surfside southern california adventure and keep it fun and cheap then this place is great."

    "Some sites are: big, medium and small; right next to each and a little distance; and beach side or inland."

    7. William Heise County Park

    46 Reviews
    Julian, CA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 765-0650

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Table and fire pit at each site. 

    Hiking available walking distance from camp, trails leading out of camp. Family friendly environment."

    "The drive up was amazing. They had plenty of water to wash and drink with a lot of bathrooms as well.

    You can walk trails, stargaze, take your bikes around and so much more!"

    8. Dixon Lake Campground

    24 Reviews
    Escondido, CA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 839-4045

    $39 - $50 / night

    "Make sure you bring a shower caddy and some water proof laundry bags because there aren't many wall hooks to hang your towels or clothes.

    • **Flushable toilets with drum roll SEAT COVERS!!"

    "They clean the fire pits out etc. Some of the 40 series sites are very secluded and have excellent lake views."

    9. Thousand Trails Pio Pico

    13 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    "Locations near Jamul Casino. Staff is kind and professional. Full hookups sites. Fill propano available. Spot are very big. The pool and kid playground are great."

    10. GoodVibes Ranch & Farm

    2 Reviews
    Dulzura, CA
    17 miles
    Website

    $50 - $175 / night

    "Plenty of room for beautiful hikes on their many acres of land packed with some great views a few decks scattered around the property.  "

    "Saw lots of flowers, a seasonal creek, sage, views of the valley & nearby mountain. Played some pool. The disk golf course is on the awesome hike I took. They have live music on the weekends."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Santee, CA

30 Photos of 42 Santee Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Santee, CA

615 Reviews of 42 Santee Campgrounds

  • Brian N.
    Apr. 25, 2015

    South Carlsbad State Beach Campground

    Carlsbad culvert

    South Carlsbad is another Cali jem set up on a bluff overlooking the pacific. It is long and thin so it has a nice thinly populated feel. All bathrooms are clean. I was here during week of 4/20/15 and it was as nice as always. Like San Elijo it has a private feel at your site with the mature growh btw each site. You are along the rr tracks but that's a small price to access the sick beach and the incredible view. There is a nice hilton with a pool across the street. In. Are your kiddies need some creature comforts(I didn't say pool 'hopping' just using facilities as a client of the restaurant...), or daddy wants a bottle of red and a crisp flatbread without driving anywhere. There are nice a frames north and south, plenty of waves for all.

  • J
    Feb. 24, 2022

    San Onofre Recreation Beach and Camping

    Beautiful views - would stay again

    I stayed here three weeks in February. I stayed up top and site 91 was great! I would stay here again and request that site.

    Cons:

    • Noise from I-5 and helicopter sorties. Occasional bombing exercises also.
    • Top bathrooms under construction since January but I wasn’t notified until I got there (provided ports-potties and hand washing station were stocked and cleaned regularly).
    • No dogs allowed on beach. 30 min drive to Dog Beach in Solana.
    • Lower bathrooms. These were the only showers available. The bathrooms are well stocked but the showers were not cleaned regularly. The same clump of hair was in the same shower for three weeks. Four out of six showers have no hooks to hang clothes. Shower caddies are all rusted. Surfers bring their boards in a rinse them off in the showers. The showers/bathrooms are gross. This was by far my biggest complaint. Regular cleaning, a few extra hooks, and new shower caddies would go along way.

    Pros:

    • Beautiful views and lots of beach at low tide.
    • Very quiet during the week (weekends are very busy).
    • Close to a small exchange, commissary, and gas station.
    • Nice fire pits
    • Cheap laundry facilities
    • Close to San Clemente and San Diego is only an hour away.
  • Alicia F.
    May. 2, 2020

    Oceanside RV Resort

    Ocean 🌊 side

    We camped here on a trip up the coast and found this spot at the end of the day. There are 5 spots where you can walk your stuff and camp right on the beach. Each spot was secluded and had a picnic table and a good size area for your tent. It’s a newer retro campground with spots for RV’s, tents, cabins and yurts. There are a lot of option and facilities with showers, bathrooms and laundry.

  • Moriah M.
    Nov. 24, 2020

    Lake Jennings

    Great Campsite

    Lake Jennings Campground is a great campsite tucked away in Lakeside, CA. There are a good amount of campsites, and plenty with great views of the lake (“Preferred View” sites). We stayed in site 91 for 4 nights from Monday to Thursday night while the campground was pretty empty. I imagine it would be a little louder when it’s at full capacity, but we had no noise issues from fellow campers. However, there was plenty of random noise from the military helicopters that randomly flew overhead. It wasn’t disruptive, just unexpected. This campground is not secluded by any means, so the air traffic shouldn’t be a surprise. Honestly, it’s hard to go anywhere in San Diego County without air traffic interruptions.

    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! Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing and made for the perfect vista from our RV bed. An added benefit of the Preferred View sites is the privacy since no one is camped behind you. Our particular site even had useful shrubbery on each side to create a quasi sense of privacy between sites. Each site has a nice little fire pit and picnic table, and there was plenty of room for a second vehicle in addition to our van.

    There are plenty of restroom facilities sprinkled throughout so nothing is inconvenient. The restrooms are individual bathrooms with showers that are hot and NOT coin operated, so enjoy a full hair washing session if there’s not a line. The only caution: pincher bugs. Just brush them off and go about your business. But like everything, check the toilet seat and your clothes before proceeding.

    Finally, internet service was great for Verizon. We got 23 Mbps with 3 bars of 4G LTE unboosted, and 69 (!!!) Mbps with 5 bars using a simple MIMO antenna. We live and work in our RV (20’ Class B) full time, so this was crucial. The staff was also great. They were regularly driving by, cleaning or maintaining the grounds. In the end, we will definitely camp here again.

  • cal K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Agua Caliente County Park Campground

    Large campground with lots of amenities

    Lots going on here but felt peaceful midweek in Jan. 3 spring-fed pools, hot showers quarter operated, clean flush toilet bathrooms, water, hiking trails and ample roads to walk the dog on. Mountain lion country - be alert. Friendly rangers. Clean facilities and well-kept grounds. Horseshoe pits and large group picnic areas. Cute cabins for rent - no pets allowed in those. Will definitely visit again. Many of the tent sites are close together - if the campground was full you’d have little privacy but it’s a large place and there were hardly any tent campers when I was there, though more RVs and vans in the hookup section. Tent site 106 is very private. I liked 109 it was in a kind of bird thicket with privacy from the road etc.

  • E
    May. 20, 2019

    Borrego Palm Canyon Campground — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Stars galore!

    This campground is one of my favorites. My practical side enjoys the clean bathrooms with hot showers and proximity to markets for refills on ice and beer. My adventurous side enjoys the hikes, coyotes singing and clear skies to observe the night sky. This campground has been enjoyable every time I’ve gone. I’ve been to many campgrounds where neighbors keep you up late, but something about this location demands quiet enjoyment. Don’t get me wrong, my friends and I stay up laughing around the campfire well after sunset but everyone seems to respect the quiet hours. The sites are spacious, each with a shade ramada, grill and fire-ring. The visitors center is a must see and there are numerous hiking trails near the campground. As beautiful as the wildflowers are during a super bloom, the crowds are super distracting. March is the best time of year to go, if there is a super bloom you’ll enjoy that, if not, you’ll enjoy the solitude.

  • Matthew D.
    Jun. 26, 2017

    William Heise County Park

    Fire pits too close to eachother

    Stayed in site #73 this past weekend. I wouldn't recommend that spot. It is too close to #74. They are both large spots but the actually fire pits are too close to eachother. Luckily there was a nice family staying next to us so we hardly noticed them. Had they been too loud it could have ruined the trip. Also this spot had very little shade in the afternoon when the sun was the hottest.

    The bathrooms were shut down for maintenance in that loop so they offered portable toilets which got full quick. The hand washing station ran out of water the second day and was never refilled so you had to go back to your site to wash your hands. The running water coming from the spigot was orange and frothy and had a sign saying not to use it for drinking.

    The hiking trail that was near by was the best part. Tons of wildflowers everywhere and beautiful views.

    I probably won't come back to this campground next time I got camping. There are campgrounds closer to San Diego that are have bigger sites.

  • Shainna M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 3, 2023

    Dos Picos County Park

    Gorgeous!

    Great county park. Quiet and well maintained. Pay showers. $29/ night. Pets welcome. Fire pits and picnic tables at each site. Tent camping available as well.

  • K
    Jun. 23, 2021

    El Prado Campground

    Great short stay

    This was a great place to disconnect and was close to SD. It was an easy and scenic drive up. Each camp site was large and had privacy but since it was hilly, some sites may have few flat spaces to pitch a tent.

Guide to Santee

Camping options near Santee, California extend beyond the waterfront glamping experiences, with opportunities for traditional and yurt camping across San Diego County. Located in the eastern portion of the county at approximately 400 feet elevation, the area experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop into the 40s, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year.

What to do

Hiking trails: At William Heise County Park, campers can explore miles of maintained trails suitable for various skill levels. "Nice well maintained trails, easy to moderate level," notes Michael S., who appreciates the park's proximity to Julian.

Fishing opportunities: Lake Jennings Park offers year-round fishing with seasonal restrictions. "We camp frequently since we live 5mins away. Always enjoy Easter and Halloween with friends and family," shares Monica M. about their regular visits.

Disc golf course: Some properties in the area feature unexpected recreational options. At GoodVibes Ranch & Farm, a visitor noted, "I found out they have a full size professional disc golf course here! I don't bring my discs, but Carolyn and Bernie happily lent me some discs so I could try it out."

Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At William Heise County Park, one camper mentioned, "Deer and flocks of wild turkey," making the wildlife viewing particularly memorable.

What campers like

Private campsites: Dixon Lake Campground receives praise for its secluded sites. "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," notes one reviewer who appreciated the privacy.

Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Dos Picos County Park, a visitor commented, "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."

Lake views: Many sites offer scenic water views. At Dixon Lake, one camper shared, "Each site has a nice little fire pit and picnic table, and there was plenty of room for a second vehicle in addition to our van." The reviewer also noted that "Views of the lake at sunrise and sunset were amazing."

Proximity to Julian: Campers value the ability to visit nearby towns. A William Heise visitor mentioned it's "About a 10 minute drive from Julian pie co," making it easy to enjoy local attractions during your yurt camping trip near Santee.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly, especially during peak seasons. At South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, a camper advises, "If you're towing a vehicle it has to be literally towed onto the property. Don't disconnect and go get groceries prior to entering or you'll have to pay $15 a night for the vehicle."

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or other sources. At San Elijo State Beach Campground, a visitor noted, "Campground is situated next to the highway and train tracks. No shade. Friendly beach crowd."

Wildlife interactions: Be prepared for local wildlife. At Dixon Lake, one camper warned, "The yellow jackets come out during the day and we got stung multiple times," while another mentioned, "Beware the Poison Oak.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Santee, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Santee, CA is Lake Jennings with a 4.6-star rating from 33 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Santee, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 42 glamping camping locations near Santee, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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