Family Camping: Your Adventure Awaits!

Now that it’s becoming safer to travel, families are hittin’ the road with restored gratitude and a newfound enthusiasm to discover their surroundings. Desperate to make up for “lost time” and missed opportunities, many people have the same idea as campground reservations fill and RV sales skyrocket. If you’re one of the families chomping at the bit to explore the great outdoors, you’ll want to tap into what we’re doing this month and next—sharing camping tips, helpful resources and some of our favorite SoCal spots to camp. According to Visit California, our state is home to nine national parks and 280 state parks, so there’s no need to go far—adventure awaits in our own backyard!

San Diego Metro KOA Resort: Chula Vista

In addition to RV and tent sites, our local KOA offers camping cabins, deluxe cabins (with bathrooms), glamping tents, and plenty of amenities for families, including an onsite pool, jumping pillows, grass field, playground and more. www .koa.com/campgrounds/san-diego

Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay: Chula Vista

Have you heard? There’s a new RV resort in town that also features fully equipped luxury cottages, pool, splash pad, arcade, sports courts (pickleball, bocce ball and basketball), and themed activities (bike parades, arts & crafts, movie nights, competitions and more). Onsite café opens this summer. Bonus: The property is right next to Living Coast Discovery Center! www.sunrvresorts.com/sunoutdoors-san-diego-bay

Flying Flags RV Resort & Campground Buellton, CA

Flying Flags, located about five hours north of San Diego, offers fun camping accommodations such as cabins, vintage trailers, airstreams and luxury safari tents, in addition to RV sites. They have two pools, onsite dining, bocce ball courts (and more) on property—and are located adjacent to wine country, Solvang and an ostrich farm! Read about it in our article “Take the Family Glamping in Buellton, California” at www.sandiegofamily.com/thingsto-do/travel/a-glamping-adventurein-buellton-ca.

Campland on the Bay Mission Bay (San Diego)

San Diego’s favorite waterfront RV resort sits on the shores of Mission Bay. Campland has provided family-friendly fun for over 50 years, attracting repeat campers for decades. The property features a new giant inflatable water slide, skateboard park, cantina, scheduled activities (bubble soccer, dodgeball, outdoor movie nights, etc.), bike and watersport rentals (kayaks, pontoon boats, SUPs, etc.) and more. www.Campland.com

Mission Bay RV Resort Mission Bay (San Diego)

Overlooking the shores of De Anza Cove and adjacent to sister property Campland on the Bay is Mission Bay RV Resort. It’s typically more low-key than Campland, but includes complimentary access to their amenities and activities, so it’s the best of both worlds! www.MissionBayRVResort.com

Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Campground (near the border)

The newest addition to San Diego County’s camping options, Tijuana River Valley Campground features dozens of tent and RV sites, and yurts that sleep 6–10 people! Search for Tijuana River Valley under “Which Park” at https://reservations.sdparks.org/ reservation/camping.

Santee Lakes Campground

Santee Lakefront cabins and RV sites at beautiful Santee Lakes, which features pedal boat rentals, fishing, two swimming pools, a playground and more. www.santeelakes.com/ campground

When Lisa Gipson isn’t editing San Diego Family Magazine, she loves to explore with her husband and young adult daughters.

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