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Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve: Day Trip from San Diego

One of the things I enjoy about living in California is the opportunity to continue discovering new places.  With an area of 163,696 square miles (about the size of Germany), you bet there are tons of places I have not been yet.

This is even better for those who enjoy the outdoors (like me!).  The other day I was looking for places to camp (relatively close to Los Angeles) and bumped into the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve.

Hmmm, plenty of campsites, a series of lakes and close proximity to San Diego.  That was hard to resist! We ended throwing gear in the back of our SUV and stopped by over the weekend.

In here, I am sharing my experience and giving you all the right (or tempting) reasons to visit Santee Lakes.

Context

Santee, a city in San Diego County, is located 18 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  In the late 50s, the general manager of the water district was able to develop a sewage treatment process to produce usable water.  Not only he saved the city a large amount of money but also offered a low-cost water supply for irrigation, crops and recreational use.

In 1961, 4 lakes were created and one of them started to be used for recreational purposes.  Nowadays, Santee Lakes is a 190 acres park with 7 lakes recycled water lakes.

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

Things to Do in Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

The lakes receive more than 650,000 per year.  Let’s explore what can be done and seen there.

Multi-use Trails

The park offers about 5 miles of walking, running and biking trails.  

If you are not traveling with your bike, there are cruiser, tandem and surrey rentals on-site.

Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

Fishing

This is one of the most popular amenities on the park.  The lakes are stocked with fish year-round and a fishing license issued by the state of California is not needed (a permit available at the General Store is needed though).

Many families take their young children to fish in the park.  This is a simple and affordable option for those who want their children involved in outdoor activities.

Day and night fishing is permitted for people spending the night in the camping area.

Santee Lakes Fishing

Santee Lakes Fishing

Boating

Pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks are available for rent on Lake 5.  This is a fun way to spend an hour or two exploring small islands, canals, and wildlife.

Santee Lakes Campground, Pedal Boats

Picnics

The park has plenty of tables and benches ideal for picnicking. Families arrive early to claim the shaded, big spots.  

Waterfront gazebos are available for parties, wedding and birthdays.  

Santee Lakes RV Park

For the Kids

Well, it is fair to say almost everything in this park screams kid-friendliness.

However, there are several amenities that are designed with the little ones in mind.  Each major area has a big playground including slides, swings and obstacle courses a little bit reminiscent of America Ninja Warrior.

Then, the Sprayground is the place to go for some water fun.

Santee Lakes Playgrounds

Santee Lakes Water Park

Santee Lakes Camping

Many visitors love the idea of escaping away for the weekend without having to travel far from home.  That is why the 300 full-hookup campgrounds seem to be fully booked every weekend (at least during warm months).

Guest have exclusive use of lakes 6 and 7 plus showers, swimming pools, a clubhouse, laundry facilities and wi-fi.

Santee Lakes Cabins

For those who prefer a bit more comfort, cabins (including floating ones) are available for rent.  

Cabins are fully stocked with a queen bed, sleeping mattresses, bunk beds, kitchen, sofa, TV, propane barbecue, fire ring and pedal boats.  

Santee Lakes Camping

What to Eat in the Park

The Waterfront Grill offers simples fare such as hamburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, turkey burgers, hot dogs, and sausages.  This is an establishment designed to grab a quick bite and keep going. Most visitors bring their own food.

Fees and Hours of Operation

Park is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Day use hours vary depending on the season but they are usually between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Day use fee is between $4 – $6 depending on the day of the week.

Day use amenities are available for those staying on the campground or cabins.

Santee Lakes Camping

Other Camping Options in the Area

The Santee Lakes campground is very popular and it can be difficult to book a spot during summer.  If you want to visit the park but cannot find a space to stay, I recommend checking the Kumeyaay Lake Campground.

This spot is located only two miles from the Santee Lakes entrance.  Since this campground is not on the San Diego County Parks website (it has its own website) it is relatively easy to find an available spot there (even days before the arrival date).

Nearby Attractions

If you are staying at the park several days, you may want to check out the Mission Trails Regional Park, a place offering 42 miles of trails, a 14,000 square foot visitor center, a historical dam, big lake and much more.  

And, of course, you have all the attractions of San Diego basically at your front door.

For ideas, check out the 200+ San Diego bucket list ideas on this post I wrote a while ago.

Santee Lakes RV Park

Where to Eat in Santee

If you are a big foodie, have no fear!

There are plenty of delicious food options in the city of Santee.  The best part is that some of the best restaurants are one or two miles from the park.  Here are some of my recommendations.

Breakfast

I enjoyed eating at Janet’s Cafe & Deli way too much!  After seeing the huge portions being served to other guests, I decided for the cinnamon roll French toast.  My husband had eggs, bacon and pumpkin pancakes. Everything seems to be good at this place so the possibilities of a bad pick are low.  They also serve lunch.

Another great place to get breakfast is the Omelette Factory.  They serve about 15 types of omelets, steak and eggs, pancakes, waffles and much more.  They have hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and soups too.

Coffee lovers should story by Kaffe Meister!

Lunch and Dinner

Phil’s BBQ has been serving rib, pulled pork and chicken since 1999.  The restaurant chain has won many prizes in the San Diego area.  This choice will please the entire family.

The competition to be the “best” burger in California is fierce.  I have my own favorites but I am open to trying new flavors. That is why the options at Anny’s Fine Burgers are so tempting.  They serve things such as the garlic mushroom, sand dune, and Korean BBQ burgers.  My mouth water just thinking about this place.

If you feel like having some Asian flavors you can visit places such as Pho Ca Dao, Leela Thai and Okawa Steak House & Sushi.

And, do not forget to try some good Mexican food.  Since this is San Diego County, the options are plenty (like there is a Mexican joint every two blocks).  Pick a place and ask what they do best.

Santee RV Park

Discovering the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve was a treat for me and my husband.  I hope I have given you enough reasons to visit this place or the area.

More of Southern California

Have you been to Santee Lakes or to any place in San Diego East County? What are your recommendations?

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Things to do in San Diego - Travel tips and ideas - The Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offers camping, fishing and boating opportunities in San Diego East County. This popular staycation options allows visitors to enjoy the outdoors without having to travel far from the city. Bring the entire family for a day of fun! #SanDiego #Santee #EastCounty #California

Things to do in San Diego - Travel tips and ideas - The Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve offers camping, fishing and boating opportunities in San Diego East County. This popular staycation options allows visitors to enjoy the outdoors without having to travel far from the city. Bring the entire family for a day of fun! #SanDiego #Santee #EastCounty #California

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There are also exhibits and performances exploring different cultures all over town. The Craft and Folk Art Museum on Wilshire almost always has something culturally unique going on, as does the Fowler Museum on the UCLA Campus. You can also check out the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Again, to name just a few. Then there are the performances, like Amadou and Mariam we mentioned above, or Prince Diabate whom we saw in some tiny club in Santa Monica. One of the best places to look for these more eclectic events is the LA Weekly. LA's multiculturalism is one of its most awesome features and it's something not to be missed if you're visiting the city. It's easy to stack events that are near you or that suit the dates of your visit. It's LA. There's always something going on! Hike in Joshua Tree National Park By Julie from Family Travel Lifestyle While California is famous for National Parks like Yosemite and the Redwoods, one of our lesser-known parks, Joshua Tree, offers fantastic hiking in a unique desert environment. Located in southern California – just east of Palm Springs, and less than a 3-hour drive from San Diego – Joshua Tree offers numerous trails at every level of hiking. What I love about Joshua Tree is that it isn’t as crowded as many other parks and it’s smaller which means you can do a one-day visit and still get in some great hikes and really feel as though you saw the park. Also, this park offers a lot of loop trails, which I tend to prefer to the ‘out and back’ trails. One of the most popular and can’t-miss trails in Joshua Tree is the Skull Rock loop. It’s pretty easy, good for all levels including children, and you get to see the famous and giant Skull-shaped boulder. There’s a great kids’ nature walk called the Discovery Trail that’s less than a mile if you have really little ones. The bigger hikes offer a great variety of sights. There are several hikes up to different peaks, with outstanding views of the mountains and desert. You can hike out to a palm tree oasis or walk through the boulders and include a little scrambling on your hike. The one thing to watch out for is the heat – it’s no joke at Joshua Tree, so come prepared and enjoy! VIsit the Sunny Jim Sea Caves By April from SoCalFunFamily La Jolla is known for the locals who hang around the beach. And no, I am not talking about the hodads, you know, non-surfers, but the friendly seals lounging right there on the sand. It’s also known as an incredibly fun family area, for its good food, and having the coolest sea caves. However, there is only one cave you can explore without a kayak. And that cave is only accessible through Sunny Jim’s Cave Store. From the exterior it looks just like any other beach themed gift shop, but upon further review you might see the long dark tunnel leading what looks like directly into the ground. This is the access to Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave, which was dug out in 1902. To reach the bottom you will pay $5 for adults, and $3 for children, walk down 145 dark, narrow stairs and come out on a damp wooden platform to take in the waves and views from below. This hidden gem is a unique experience if you are in the area. But, make sure to mingle with the locals on the shore below and check out the free, smaller caves right there as well. Read More: One Day in San Diego Pedal Boat At Lake Murray By Martina from Stack Your Dollars One of the best and most relaxing things to do in sunny San Diego is to take a ride on the water at Lake Murray. On a hot day, getting on a pedal boat is a great way to get a nice breeze and cool off. You’ll also be putting those leg muscles to work and getting in some fun exercise! Lake Murray is a 171 acre reservoir with a 3.2 mile shoreline; it can be found on the border of San Diego, La Mesa, and Santee. To rent the pedal boat, you have to go into the concession stand by the parking lot. It costs about $15 to rent per hour, with an additional $15 for a deposit. The boat fits about 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. This low-cost activity is a great way to get out and have fun. It allowed my family to stick to our very frugal budget. If you would prefer, there are also kayaks, canoes, row boats, and motor boats. However, the pedal boat is my favorite because it also has a canopy to block the sun! Whale Watch in Newport Beach By Rebecca from KwaFare One of the most thrilling outdoor experiences you can have in California is to get up close and personal with some of the largest animals on earth. Whale watching in Southern California can put you right in the migratory path of humpback, minke, fin and gray whales. Even orcas are spotted from time to time, as well as sperm whales and blue whales, the largest animal to have ever lived. An excellent spot for whale watching is Newport Beach, which is only about an hour from LAX airport or downtown Los Angeles. Newport Beach is a cozy community where you’ll find Balboa Pier and Island and some great beaches. My go to whale watching company here is Davey’s Locker. And for good reason. First, they regularly have sales for their whale watching tours on Groupon. So, for about the price of a movie ticket you can take a front row seat to these magnificent creatures for over a couple of hours. But what I really enjoy is hearing the excitement of the crew every time we get to see a whale out at sea. This testifies to just how electrifying it is to witness these deep sea giants in their natural habitat. Despite how many times they get to see them, every time it’s a thrill. And the thrill is definitely contagious. You just never know what you are going to see when you get out on the boat. However, if you want to up your chances of sighting whales go out during their migration times. In general, winter and spring are great times to see gray whales, humpback and minke whales. And summer and fall are ideal for blue whales, finbacks, orcas and sperm whales. So whether you find yourself in the middle of a pod of hundreds of dolphins or next to an enormous blue whale, this is one of those things to do in California that is not to be missed! Visit the Center of the World By Theresa from The Local Tourist Just inside the border in the southeast corner of the state, you can put your toes on the officially designated Center of the World. Felicity, California, is home to the Museum of History in Granite and the Center of the World and is a destination worth a visit that's a whole lot less kitschy than it sounds. In 1985, Jacques-André wrote a children’s book titled “Coe: The Good Dragon at the Center of the World.” Somehow, this Frenchman and Father of American Parachuting convinced the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Institut Géographique National, the French Mapping Agency, that property he owned in Imperial County should be declared the Center of the World. You can visit this town, population two, and not only make a wish inside a pyramid but also browse granite tablets etched with history. They're designed to last 4,000 years and the goal is that they'll preserve the entirety of humanity for millennia to come. It's a quirky destination with a noble promise, and should definitely be on any southern California itinerary. ATV in the Imperial Sand Dunes By Kay from The Awkard Traveler It isn't general knowledge, but California has sand dunes. Some of the best California sand dunes are found in Southern California. Specifically, the Imperial Sand Dunes State Park right near the border of Mexico. Winter is arguable a better season to visit, especially when summer temperatures can easily reach over 110F. But that also means winter is the most busy time to visit. So, pick your poison. From San Diego, the drive is about 2.5hours, 2 hours from Palm Springs, and 3 hours from Los Angeles, making the Imperial Sand Dunes an easy day trip if you do not want to stay nearby. However, there are camping and RV options at the state park! To enter the park, permits are required from October 1 through April 15 each year. Permits are $35 per week in advance and $50 per week if purchased onsite. Season permits are $150. America the Beautiful National Park pass also counts for this park. Once you are all settled into the park, you're ready to ride! But before you get into your off-highway vehicle (whether it is ATV or a bike, or other), make sure to remember the basics. Wear a protective helmet, pay attention to "closed to vehicle signs," and tall visible red flags are REQUIRED on your vehicle for visibility and safety! There you have it! Tons and tons of ideas on things to do in California. Hope you find this article useful when planning your next getaway! More of California Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles Ultimate San Diego Bucket List 150+ Places to Go in Orange County Places to Visit in Santa Barbara What are your favorite things to do in California? Let me know in the comments section below. Pin “Things to Do in California” for later!, Pigeon Point LighthouseThings to Do in California: Golden State Best Fall Leave, How to spend fall in San DiegoHow to Spend Fall in San Diego: Things to do and Eat

Comments

  1. Jill says

    Once again, I’m learning so much about California through your posts. I’ll have to mention Santee Lakes to my niece for her son’s birthday parties. And South Carolina has a town named Santee that is located on a lake – but it’s Lake Marion, not Santee.

    Reply

  2. Eileen Wise says

    Hello, looks like a lovely spot to visit. Pretty views of the water. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day! PS, thanks for visiting my blog.

    Reply

  3. MD abdullah says

    Hello Ruth,
    Are fishing ticket available in August? I try to outdoor activities with my kids.
    thanks for your information

    Reply

  4. Teresa says

    I lived in San Diego for 4 years and embarrassingly had no idea about this place. It looks lovely! And mmm, miss Phil’s BBQ…

    Reply

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