There are fewer better ways to take in the stunning sites of Southern California than by recreational vehicle (RV)! Take your show on the road and visit a few San Diego RV parks. Seeing the world this way allows travelers the comforts of home and the ability to save a dollar or two. These San Diego RV parks are excellent choices for your SoCal home away from home. They are big on amenities, low on cost, priceless on memories.
San Diego RV Parks Worth Checking Out
With so many campgrounds that accommodate RVs in the San Diego area, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time and money. These six RV parks are bound to make your stay comfortable, enjoyable, and affordable. Before deciding on a park for your getaway, be sure to call ahead for reservations and availability. Double-check the park's rules about animals, firewood, and other details that you may want to know about so that once you arrive, all you have left to do is have fun!
Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay
Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay is a five-star rated resort located on San Diego Bay. This upscale RV mecca leaves very little to the imagination, giving campers an amazing experience that they will remember for their entire lives. A stay here is a truly luxurious way to RV.
Other details of this park are:
- Pool and splash pad
- Laundry facilities
- Restrooms with showers
- General store
- Bike and walking paths
- Shuttle to Living Coast Discovery Center
- Arcade
- Dog park
- Free Wi-Fi and cable
Prices here vary, and compared to other RV parks, they are a bit on the pricey side. In looking at the upscale surroundings and amenities, it is easy to see what that is! A deluxe full hook-up site here runs about $99. An elite full hook-up site (which can accommodate slightly larger vehicles) costs $129 per night. Campers can also choose a pull-through site, a premium hookup site, or a standard site. Each option offers campers something slightly different.
San Diego Metropolitan KOA
San Diego Metropolitan KOA is one of the resort-style San Diego RV parks. It has a central location and is only 20 minutes from the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and the beach. KOA parks are a nationwide system that is very family-oriented. If you are vacationing with the kids, then KOAs offer campers excellent bang for the buck. There is so much to do at a campground like this one, it will be hard to drag the kids out to see the San Diego sites! Top amenities here include:
- 200 RV sites
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free cable TV
- 65 feet maximum length pull through
- Bicycle rental
- Pool
- Meeting rooms
- Cabins
- Propane
- Hayrides in summer
Prices will vary depending on what time of year you book a site, the number of travelers you are bringing along for the fun, and the type of motorhome you will be parking at the KOA. The website allows travelers to easily plug personal information in and possible sites and prices are generated automatically.
Campland on the Bay
Campland on the Bay is located on the sparkling shores of Mission Bay. If you are looking for a camping experience that is heavy on water sports and activities, then this is for you. It is close to the San Diego Zoo as well as Legoland and Sea World. Other amenities of this RV campground are:
- 578 RV campsites
- Pools and hot tubs
- Restroom facilities with showers
- 124 slip marina
- Water sports, golf cart, and bike rentals
- Dog park for fur babies
- Overlooks Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve
- Market & Coffee
- Laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and cable
- Full-service restaurants, bar and ice cream parlor
- Supervised activities for the kids
Like so many RV campgrounds, the price per night will vary depending on factors like the time of year you are staying and the type of RV you are parking on-site. During winter, a limited site (with water and electric but no sewer hookup) costs anywhere from $73 to $115 per night.
During the same season, a Supersite (which includes an enclosed enclave with a full outdoor kitchen and BBQ, laundry, bathroom and shower facilities, a hot tub, lounge chairs, a fire pit, dining spaces, and full hookups run $272 to $428 per night). A stay during the summer months is going to shift prices slightly higher (for all stays) and those wanting an extended stay here have that option as well! The park retains a limited number of sites specific to extended stays over one month long.
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
Santee Lakes is 20 minutes from downtown San Diego. One hundred and ninty acres and seven lakes mean that there is a lot to explore on-site. Whether it is fishing and tranquility you desire or splashing around in the splash pad or nearby watering holes, this campground has a little something for everyone. It is a large campground that has plenty of amenities helping to make everyone's stay enjoyable, comfortable, and fun. Included park amenities:
- 300 sites with full hook-ups
- Playgrounds
- Fishing
- Boat rental
- Running trails
- Hiking
- Biking
- Laundry facilities
- General store
- Internet access
- Swimming pools
A standard back-in RV rate ranges from $60 to $66 and deluxe pull-through sites run from $70 to $78. Peak season prices are slightly higher, but still very affordable. For those traveling around San Diego in their recreational vehicle but choosing to stay elsewhere, this campground offers day passes so that everyone can come and enjoy what the campground has to offer.
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is run by the city of San Diego and offers campers waterfront stays at a fraction of the price they would expect to pay at a ritzy Southern California hotel.
- Free Wi-Fi and cable
- Pets welcome
- Monthly rates
- Laundry
- Diner
- Handicap accessible
- Launch ramp
- Big rig hookups
- Boat rentals
- Paddle boats
- Rec room
- Fishing
- 24-hour security patrol
- Meeting rooms
The campground is close to everything, making day trips to San Diego hot spots a piece of cake. The park offers campers four different sites to choose from: The Supersite, The Bayview, The Premium, and The Preferred. Prices are dependent on the type of site chosen as well as rig length and type.
Oak Knoll
Oak Knoll Campground is located about 6 miles from the Palomar Mountain Observatory. It is renowned among star-gazers and those campers looking to score a heck of a deal will appreciate the reasonable prices. Not too many things in Southern California are considered "cheap," but a night here is one of them! Some things Oak Knoll offers are:
- Pull throughs
- Laundry
- Clubroom
- General store
- Playground
- Rec room
- Monthly rates
- Pool
- Dump station
- Propane
A premium full hookup site ranges anywhere from $40 per night to $45 per night, depending on the time of year campers are staying. Those campers only needing a standard water and electric hook up save even more money with nightly rates ranging from $30 to $35.
San Diego: Something for Everyone
San Diego is known for beautiful weather, rich history, and ample outdoor activities. Whether you like to relax on the beach, fish in a quiet freshwater stream, shop, and stroll along the oceanside or take in the deep and complex history of spaces visited, San Diego is a place where everyone can find a hobby that they enjoy. While vacationing in San Diego, be sure to check out:
- Hiking
- Hot mineral springs
- Desert views
- Horseback riding
- Mountain biking
- Boating
- Surfing
- Shopping and dining
Planning Your Camping Trip
When you are planning a camping trip to the San Diego area, it is important that you make your reservations early. If you wait until the last minute, especially in peak season, you may find that you are unable to get a site at the campground of your choice. In fact, during some seasons, you may not be able to get a site at all. When you make your reservations, ask any questions you may have. If you have a pet, for example, you will want to know if they allow pets and whether or not there is a special charge for them. Planning ahead will enable you to relax and enjoy your time at the San Diego RV parks of your choice.
