Family camping/ trail runs in San Diego area

Happy Sunday everyone! I am looking to find other interested families to go camp or run trails with the kiddos. I camp often in Palomar, Anza and would like to hit up Death Valley and JT if anyone has been before. I tent camp and trailer camp(dependant on location and timeframe), and would love to learn about all the fun spots local to us in San Diego. Hope to hear from a few of you all, and make some friends as well. Happy camping everyone!

 

Nice camper! I have a 10.0 Quicksilver with LP/Off-road package I'm selling if you know anyone interested. Anza Borrego is awesome this time of the year!

 

Post some pictures and price info, I’m sure there will be some interested parties as these trailers can be pulled by almost any vehicle due to their weight.

 

Finally have it listed.

 

Update:
I will be in camping at Tamarisk Campground(Anza) on Dec 1-3 with the kiddo and pup, and will be hitting The Slot, Grapevine hills, Oriflamme canyon and Fonts point(for sunrise/sunset). If anyone is wanting to link up and run some easy trails, let me know. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

 

Gents,
Anza Borrego had excellent trail conditions this past weekend, i camped at Tamarisk Grove Fri-Sun. Ran Oriflamme canyon to Rodriguez Truck trail, normal trail conditions with only a few snotty spots. We went out to Fonts Point after for the kiddo to get some seat time, and ran to Vista del Malpias as well for her to get more “technical” trail experience behind the wheel. We dipped into Borrego springs, went by the Anza welcome center(def a spot to take the kids, they have a whole room specific for learning about desert animals) and were able to catch the Saturday “craft fair” at the Borrego springs roundabout park.
*note* the ranger i spoke with(at Fonts) was very nice, but did state that other rangers would likely ticket the parents if they catch underage drivers operating vehicles in the state park….i decided its worth the “risk” of big brother issuing a butthurt report as long as the kiddo can gain some valuable experience. We stayed away from other vehicles(only saw 3 others the entire trail) and my daughter had a great time.
We found a few campsites that are less known, Fonts has a few and so does Malpias(dispersed, so no toilet/water/anything)

 

Man I just moved from SoCal and of course I see this post as I'm across the country. Fellow Marine here, if I end up back at CPEN i'll hit you up for some desert adventures. Wife and I loved Anza and Palomar!

 

Sounds good bro, Im on Pendleton for a while so hit me up if/when you PCS back out!

 

I love Anza Borrego, but I've only camped at Borrego Palm Canyon. How is Tamarisk Grove? I look at it, then I think road noise. But it's way closer to Slot, Fish Creek and Little Blair Valley...maybe I'll have to try it

 

We had some expected road noise, but it was easily manageable. Tamarisk Grove is 1/4 mile from the 78 on Yaqui pass, so it is not directly against the 78, there is a powerline sand wash between the campground and the 78. Im headed back out there for Jan 5-7, will stay in one of the "mini cabins" to try them out and hopefully hit some trails if the weather permits. Reservecalifornia.com is the website i use for reservations at Tamarisk(search "Anza Borrego DSP"), the on-site staff is very pleasant and helpful as well. It was 10 Min drive from Tamarisk to Oriflamme Canyon, about 25 mins from Fonts and 20 from the Slot. Definitely a good base camp for the northern Anza trails, sites are very close together though, i prefer to reserve site 15(between 2 cabins) but it is the furthest from bathrooms/showers. Non potable water only available on site, unless you want to purchase 1Gal for $3ea from the check-in office. A small shopette in Banner has some items(10 mins away), but i would plan to bring ALL that you need/require for camping as it is not restocked frequently or available.

 

Well, we are heading out to Tamarisk grove again for 5-7 January 2024, staying in the “mini cabins” on site. We will be running some trails if the weather allows(Borrego Springs shows rain this week), and wanted to extend the invite to trail run or camp with others here too. Just the kiddo and i for this trip, may bring 1 of the dogs too. Likely will be limited to easier trails or whatever is open(unsure on closures following rain). If the trails are closed, we will hike and explore other areas that we usually miss.

 

Spent the weekend out in Ocotillo Wells with a group of guys, ran some trails and enjoyed the weather(windy and 40deg). Had the trailer setup for the weekend, went to run some trails Saturday, returned to camp to find out a kid crashed into the “bed support legs”, ripping one from the mounts, which will be a fun fix once this local rain subsides. Decided to pack the trailer up to avoid further damage to the hinges and bent supports, and slept in the truck bed Saturday night. Overall it was an excellent trip with some good people, if anyone wants to run out to Ocotillo let me know!

 

I took the family out there a few weeks after you posted this to see the sculptures and to do Font's point. Timed it perfectly to be at Font's point around sunset. Made a rookie mistake and didn't double check my map before turning into Inspiration Wash instead of Fonts. Got 4 miles in before realizing in and by then it was too late to make it up Font's before it got dark.

 

Damn that sucks about the leg supports. Were those the originals or an aftermarket version you installed? I see people in the FB Quicksilver group doing different stuff.

 

Those are the OG legs, basically just conduit with 45deg bends. Ill likely run the supports direct to the main box, just have to get measurements and find solid mounts.

 

That sneaky Left into Inspiration got me the first time as well, i prefer Inspiration over Fonts solely bc it requires 4x4 and keeps excess people away.

 

Not in San Diego (Huntington Beach) but looking for friends with family to hit trails and camp with my Fiance and 7 yr old daughter. Or if there is another group meet up would someone point me in the right direction haha.

 

I usually post in this thread when i will be heading out places, sometimes it is a simple day trip to Palomar or Anza Borrego instead of overnights. I do not have any trips planned for the next month unfortunately(can change if something comes up). We’re headed to Sequoia/Kings Canyon for spring break(Mar 31- Apr 5/6), there’s no 4x4 trails in the park but the hiking/scenery is worth the drive(Walk among the giant sequoias, play in the snow, whitewater rafting, hiking galore, rivers to swim in). I’m a full time single dad, daughter is going on 13 this year, and we love all things outdoors. If anyone would like to setup a camping trip, just shoot me a DM and id be glad to meet some new friends to explore with.

 

Dad of a 9 year old boy here. The 3 of us are always looking for other families to hit the trails/camp with. Most of our friends aren't really into it. Here's a photo from a weekend trip to Anza last October.

 

The kiddo and i just returned from Sequoia, we went from Sunday-Friday(3/31-4/5). Weather was snow/rain and 35 on Monday, then 75 and sunny Tuesday-wed, followed by more rain/snow. We camped at Sequoia Hideaway(great family owned location with sites directly on the Kaweah river)in Three Rivers, CA and used that as base camp to explore the park. Camp is at 850ft, and the summit where we played in the snow/explored was at 7000ft. We snowshoed, whitewater rafted, sled, hiked, panned for fools gold,“bouldered” in the foothills on the granite, swam in the river at camp daily too. Deer and small animals ran through camp all day, and the locals were warm and welcoming. The trailer stayed dry in the downpours and snow, propane heater kept it toasty warm too. The daughter and i are planning more Anza Borrego/Ocotillo trips as this SoCal weather seems intent on keeping the cold around for a few more weeks. We will be in Tamarisk Grove(CA state campground) 4/26-4/28(Fri-Sun) if anyone wants to meet up.