San Diego, Camping, and the Kiddos

Campland on the Bay ~ San Diego, California ~ June 1993, 1994, 1995….

We love San Diego. It has perfect weather with temperatures hovering near the mid-70’s almost year-round, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. For a camping vacation right in the heart of San Diego on Mission Bay, we have visited ‘Campland on the Bay’. For us it was an easy two-hour drive south from Lakewood to San Diego or six hours from Chandler. Upon exiting the freeway at Mission Bay Drive to Grand Avenue, there is a side-street that looks reminiscent of a residential area built to house Navy families. On our first visit to Campland we were sure that we’d missed a turn or gotten lost. We continued through the neighborhood and turned onto a long driveway where the registration area became immediately visible. Campland is in a superb location with a lovely shoreline (waveless) cove, great expanses of grass, pools, playgrounds, and plenty of families. Our first tent site at Campland was level and shady but so dirty. My heart sank as we unloaded our van and set up our tent because I noticed that there were ants everywhere! I had never thought to bring something along that would get rid of the little pests. Ultimately, we headed over to the Campland Market and picked up some ant spray. I couldn’t imagine that I’d sleep well knowing that ants were crawling through all my food and belongings. Speaking of food and belongings, I will insert here that we usually bring our own camping dishes and cookware. It really is a matter of personal choice whether or not you want to use disposable goods or wash your mess items. Make a decision that works for you and your family and be happy with it.

 Tent sites are located a bit further back from the beach area, yet very close to the playground and pools. In other years we camped in our tent-trailer and loved being out of the tent area. No offsense to tent camping of course, but being off the ground and on the grass was a whole lot nicer for us. The bathrooms can get quite sandy so be forewarned and wear your flip-flops in there! Our kids loved all the activities that Campland has to offer. There is a wave-less beach that is safe for swimming and ideal for making sand castles.  There are pedal boats, kayaks, catamarans, pontoon boats, and wave runners for rent. There is a marina if you’re bringing your own boat or jet skis as well. Campland overlooks the Kendall Frost Wildlife Preserve where you may spy local egrets and herons. There are places for kids to run and play Frisbee, a game room, and pedi-cabs are also available to rent and ride throughout the campground. A generous-sized pool and jacuzzi are open throughout the summer months. The activities’ staff hosts everything from Yoga and Aerobics classes in the morning to basketball, volleyball, darts, ping-pong, dodgeball, pickleball, karaoke, and Capture the Flag. The Hungry Wolf BBQ and Ice Cream Parlor have tasty treats as well. This is the kind of place where you can do plenty of something, or plenty of nothing. Best of all, the fireworks set from Sea World each evening are visible from many areas in the campground, however you’ll find that most people wander on down to the beach area for ideal viewing. For more information on Campland on the Bay, please visit their website at www.campland.com. 

Keep in Mind …

You will be camping with nature and all its wonder. Make arrangements for your co-existence with insects, bugs, and critters.

Many people reserve their beach-front sites up to a year in advance, so if you want one of the grassier sites near the bay, plan accordingly.

     In addition to the planned activities at Campland, there is just SO much to do in San Diego. Located in beautiful Balboa Park, The San Diego Zoo is world-renowned, stroller friendly, and has a great transportation system. If you love zoos, you will regret it forever if you miss visiting this one. The grounds are beautiful, the animals are well-taken care of and it is time well spent with your family. The zoo is surrounded by over 15 wonderful museums that cover everything from art and history to science, anthropology, railroads, sports, and photography. I encourage you to make a visit for they will surely amaze and delight your family. Our kids loved the outdoor sculptures on the grounds of the museum complex, and pleae don’t miss the carousel and miniature railroad just outside the San Diego Zoo. You could easily devote several days to this area of San Diego alone.

     The zoo has a sister facility called the San Diego Wild Animal Park, located in Escondido, and is a unique experience where animals live in huge exhibits resembling their native habitats. You may also want to take your kids out to La Jolla and visit the Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute/UC San Diego Campus. It’s a smaller aquarium and is family-friendly. If that gets them interested in coastal marine life, head on out to the tide pools along the coastal areas. Try Cabrillo Monument and check out their beautiful lighthouse as well.

     For an even bigger aquatic adventure, visit Sea World in Mission Bay. Home to Shamu and plenty of other marine friends, Sea World has aquariums, shows, rides, and eating venues that will fill an entire day, or maybe even two days!

     If you are up for it and can’t resist a good roller coaster, be sure to hunt down the Giant Dipper. This historic wooden roller coaster is located in Belmont Park and is a real screamer!!

     Unfortunately I don’t know anything about Legoland because it wasn’t there when my own children were younger, so you’ll have to research that one on your own. Sorry.... but - their website is www.legoland.com. I hear it's a blast!

     If you are interested in doing a little shopping, there are many lovely places that will gladly part you from your money. Try Horton Plaza, Seaport Village, the downtown La Jolla area, Fashion Valley, and the Bazaar del Mundo in historic Old Town.  

     Another lovely area of San Diego is across the Bay on Coronado Island. This little gem of a place has hip restaurants, trendy shopping, and the Hotel del Coronado. This iconic and historic hotel is a wonderful place to relax and refresh. The bar out back is pretty tasty, and the view of the ocean is quite delightful. There are bike shops for renting bikes and seeing the island at a leisurely pace. Go to www.hoteldel.com to find out more about the hotel itself and www.coronado.ca.us for more info on the city of Coronado.

Keep in Mind…

Determine exactly what you and your family wants to do on a vacation. If lazy days spent on the beach is your thing, then read and relax, build sand castles, and enjoy the ocean breezes. If you are interested in seeing wildlife, and/or visiting museums, then go and absorb as much culture as you possibly can. If you are shoppers, and can’t pass up a great mall, then shop till ya drop. And if you want to do it all and see it all, that’s downright stupendous. Just be sure that you are in sync with your family’s needs and limitations. If you miss something this time, you can always go back. 

We have been members of AAA for over 25 years and count on them for sound travel advice, maps, and a plethora of discounts. If you’re not a member, search out other agencies and online options (and there are many) for information and discounts that will help you get the most from your vacation.

 To learn more about San Diego and all the fun you can have there, visit www.sandiego.org or www.sandiego.about.com. For more information on the Balboa Park Complex, the museums, and the San Diego Zoo visit www.balboapark.org.  If you’re heading out to Sea World, be sure to check out www.seaworld.com.  If you are interested in finding out more about the marine natural history of San Diego,and the tide pools go to www.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/places/tidepooling.html. The San Diego Trolley offers alternate transportation and operates throughout San Diego from Santee through downtown and south to San Ysidro. Their website can be found by visiting http://www.sdmts.com/Trolley/Trolley.asp.

Find some sunshine,
Deb :)