If you ask us, San Diego is one of the very best cities in the country. This place has a rich history and culture, amazing attractions, and some incredible natural areas with wildlife around every corner. What more could one ask for? The best way to see San Diego? By RV, of course! Read on to learn why you should go RVing in San Diego and which campgrounds in San Diego you should check out.
The Perks of RV Camping in San Diego
There are a number of wonderful reasons to go RV camping in San Diego. For starters, the place has some of the best weather in the country, no matter what time of year you visit. Despite its southern location, the city is kept cool and breezy during the summer thanks to the nearby ocean. However, because it is so far south, the city also stays pleasantly warm during the winter.
We also love that San Diego is so full of amazing opportunities to immerse yourself in nature. From the beautiful beaches—and the seals and sea lions found there—to the bird watching opportunities at places like Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, you’re sure to find an amazing place to watch the world go by and enjoy the show that nature puts on for you. Visiting in an RV means you can park right in the middle of it all.
Speaking of beaches, we mustn’t fail to mention how amazing the SoCal beaches really are. Surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing are all awesome ways to spend the day at a San Diego beach. The best part? There are plenty of beachside campgrounds in San Diego, meaning you can wake up and hit the sand first thing in the morning!
Clearly, RVing in San Diego is a fantastic way to go. Fortunately, there are tons of rental RVs available in the city, so finding a rig that suits your vacation style should be a cinch!
San Diego Metro KOA
The San Diego Metro KOA is the place to go if you’re visiting San Diego with kids! This campground offers tons of activities for younger travelers, including “train rides” around the park, a pool, a jumping pillow, bike rentals, a climbing wall, and organized activities. Just be aware that the kids may never want to leave once they arrive.
We also love that this park is meticulously maintained. Campsites are cleaned daily and the bathroom and laundry room are spotless. The entire campground is beautifully landscaped, and that landscaping itself is well taken care of.
When staying at the San Diego Metro KOA, you can expect a full-hookup site and can even choose a pull-through site or one with a patio. The campground is pet-friendly and even features a dog-park. It is close to many of the most popular area attractions and it’s easy to hop on the highway to get where you’re going.
Campground Address:
111 North 2nd Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91910
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Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay
Another fantastic pick when RV camping in San Diego, Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay is a beautiful park. This is a favorite of travelers of all ages, and once you stay there, you’ll understand why. It’s close enough to San Diego’s fun without putting you in the middle of it, and they have absolutely everything you need for a fun and comfortable stay.
We appreciate all of the amenities offered in this campground, including the level full-hookup sites, the clean restrooms with showers, and the laundry facilities. There is a resort-quality pool onsite, which is ideal for those who just want to relax. On top of that, the onsite food and drinks are delicious, meaning you never have to leave the resort if you don’t want to (although you should, because San Diego is amazing).
If you’re visiting Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay with kids, you’ll be happy to know that there are activities for the youngsters. These include planned activities, the aforementioned swimming pool, and a playground.
Campground Address:
825 E St.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
If you want to spend your time surrounded by desert wildlife, look no further than the gorgeous Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This park is set just outside of San Diego and is the perfect place to spot critters such as jackrabbits, coyotes, lizards, and birds. You’ll also get some of those incredible desert sunsets in the park, so be sure to watch for them!
There are actually a huge number of camping options in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. We recommend heading to the Borrego Palm Canyon sites. Some of these sites offer full hookups, while others are dry camping only. There is water and a dump station available onsite, as well as restrooms with showers.
While in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, make sure to see the sunrise at Font’s Point, hike the Palm Canyon Trail, and explore the Wind Caves.
Campground Address:
200 Palm Canyon Dr.
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
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Kumeyaay Lake Campground
Looking for budget-friendly campgrounds in San Diego? Kumeyaay Lake Campground is the perfect place. This campground is located in the lovely Mission Trails Regional Park, and while it doesn’t offer resort-style amenities, one can definitely have a nice stay in the campsites there.
One thing we love about Kumeyaay Lake Campground is that it is so peaceful. This is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to escape into nature and enjoy the natural beauty that the San Diego area has to offer. That said, you will still have easy access to the city’s amenities while staying here, so don’t worry about that.
Sites at Kumeyaay Lake Campground feature a picnic table and fire ring. While the campground does not offer RV hookups, it does have clean bathhouses with showers and flush toilets available for guest use. There is also a dump station onsite.
Note: Currently, Kumeyaay Lake campground only offers weekend camping.
Campground Address:
2 Father Junipero Serra Trail
San Diego, CA 92119
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San Elijo State Beach
There’s nothing quite like beachside camping. That’s why we highly recommend staying at San Elijo State Beach when looking for campgrounds in San Diego. This state park offers amazing views of the ocean in a lovely location that makes it easy to reach San Diego’s fun sightseeing options.
From the campground, you can easily walk down to the beach to enjoy surfing, snorkeling, or just hanging out on the sand. This is great because it means you have lots of fun right outside your door!
Amenities at this park are sparse, but enough to keep most campers comfortable. There are a small handful of sites with full hookups, but the vast majority offer dry camping only. There is potable water onsite and the restrooms are in good condition. The dump station is also helpful when it comes time to pack up and leave.
Campground Address:
S. Coast Highway 101
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
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South Carlsbad State Beach
Another fantastic beachside camping option, South Carlsbad State Beach is definitely one of the best campgrounds in San Diego. The campsites are set up on a bluff with an incredible view of the beach and the Pacific Ocean below. There are sets of stairs down to the beach, so surfing, sand play, sunbathing, and other beach activities can happen without any driving at all.
Like San Elijo State Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach doesn’t really offer many amenities. The sites are dry camping only, but there is water available and a dump station is onsite. The restrooms are spotless and there are token-activated showers available for guest use. Additionally, the park has free Wi-Fi.
This campground is not a place to go if you prefer luxury camping, but it is a wonderful choice if you want to fall asleep to the sound of waves.
Campground Address:
7201 Carlsbad Blvd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
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Rancho Los Coches
Tucked away behind hills and trees and set beside a stream, you’ll find the beautiful Rancho Los Coches campground. This is an absolutely beautiful and positively quiet RV park that puts you very near the city, while still giving you a relaxing environment to call home during your visit.
The sites here are awesome, each one offering a level concrete pad, picnic table, and full hookups. The maintenance staff is always out and about fixing things and ensuring the grounds are lovely, and the staff is beyond friendly and welcoming.
Amenities at Rancho Los Coches include a gym, a heated swimming pool, a hot tub, a rec hall, horseshoes, and a dog run.
Campground Address:
13468 Highway 8 Business
Lakeside, Ca 92040
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Escondido RV Resort
Another RV resort, Escondido RV Resort is located outside of San Diego in the town of Escondido. It is the closest RV park to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and is also near all that the town of Escondido has to offer. San Diego’s other attractions are just a short drive away.
The pool and hot tub at this resort are the stars of the show. Both are beautiful and well maintained, and you will likely want to take advantage of them every single day. Other highlights include the organized events that the park occasionally puts on, as well as the clean bathhouses with roomy showers.
Campsites are level and include full hookups, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. There are sites big enough to accommodate larger RVs, and kids and pets are welcome to stay.
Campground Address:
1740 Seven Oakes Rv.
Escondido, CA 92026
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Potrero County Park
Located about an hour outside of San Diego, Potrero County Park is another good budget option when it comes to campgrounds in San Diego area, especially if you only plan to spend a day or two exploring the city itself. This is a lovely, quiet park with over 30 RV sites, plenty of shade trees, and a peaceful vibe.
Playgrounds, sports courts, and hiking trails are all available onsite, so you won’t need to leave the park to have a good time. That said, if you do decide to leave, you can be at the Mexico border within 15 minutes, meaning international adventure is totally feasible.
The campsites in Potrero County Park include water and 30-amp hookups. There is a fire ring and a picnic table at each site, and restrooms with showers are available. There is also a dump station onsite.
Campground Address:
24800 Potrero Park Dr.
Potrero, CA 91963
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Lake Jennings Campground
Lastly, we must mention Lake Jennings Campground. This lovely escape into nature is set just 30 minutes outside of the city and yet offers all the quiet and solitude one could want. As you might have guessed, the park is home to a beautiful lake, meaning you can fish or boat right there in the campground.
Sites at Lake Jennings Campgrounds range from dry camping sites to full-hookup sites with a lake view. Be sure you reserve the exact type of site you want!
Other amenities at this campground include restrooms with showers, a dump station, boat rentals, a rec hall, and free Wi-Fi.
Campground Address:
9535 Harritt Rd.
Lakeside, CA 92040
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There’s no denying the fact that RV camping in San Diego is a wonderful vacation option. With so many things to do and see, so many campgrounds to choose from, and so many options when it comes to RV rentals, there really is a San Diego RV vacation for everyone!
Want even more information and options? Check out this page all about San Diego RV parks!
