9310 Fanita Parkway
92071,
Santee
California,
the United States
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is 18 mi East of San Diego. Quiet, over 190 acres of stocked lakes & parkland. Gen store with food, beverages, fishing tackle, supplies. Reservations Accepted Operated by Padre Dam Municipal Water District.
We stay at Santee Lakes a few times a year because it’s close to home and a good place to open up the RV, connect to hookups and get organized for our next adventure. The lakefront spots are our favorite and the fishing is also nice. The campground has a lot of amenities and several spots for long-term campers, which is great! But over the years, it seems like more and more spots are being used as living quarters. There are dilapidated canopies, dusty furniture and so much clutter, you’d think it was a homeless encampment. Given the site cost seems to average $90 a night, I would expect better. One of the sites is a few spots down from us and they appear to have at least three cats that are allowed to wander outside. My dog has to stay in the RV with curtains closed so she won’t annoy other campers, so much for the lakeview I can barely enjoy! I have talked to campground staff about this before and they don’t seem to think the issue is problematic so I guess we will save our money next time and stay at a county campground or Lake Jennings.
2 years ago
Robrv
This park is hard to rate. The good: lakes, fishing, great for walking, close to shops and restaurants, 25 minutes to coast, friendly employees who aren't rv park nazis. The bad: Phone and internet are abysmal. Even paid the $10 a week for their “upgraded” internet. Even that is bad. They supposedly are in line for a new cell tower. Hard to believe it’s this bad with so many long term people here, and at a time when many parks are upgrading to 5g. They also are not good at keeping campers in the same sites. We moved several times to stay for 3 weeks. Per other campers they call this the “Santee shuffle.”
2 years ago
Kak
Previous experience ok despite long list restrictive rules. This time booked 4 nights several weeks ahead for holiday weekend. Site too small for our 31 ft fifth wheel, hung out into street. Crowded, ugly, only dirt, no lake view. Very different than before. No other sites available. Although rangers tried to help and agreed site too small, office staff not kind or helpful. Despite terrible Verizon service, was able to find (very pricey!) site at another park and get a refund. Wasted an entire day. Manager called back later, too little too late but she was professional. Will not return.
2 years ago
Jim & his T@B
This private-ish campground has great customer service, beautiful scenery and the facility is in good condition. My site, like many here, is on decomposed granite. It's worse than sand in how it gets into your camper to make a mess. That is the only thing I believe needs to be improved. Otherwise, the check in process was easy, by very friendly people. The site is very roomy, the utility pedestal is in exactly the right place. The nearby stocked lakes are very pretty, lots of wildlife. The park is quiet at night, no major roads to make noise. It's a great place to stay. My AT&T coverage was poor but the campground's wifi worked well so I could make wifi calls.
3 years ago
AdamSus
We decided to stay here to extend our stay in San Diego. Out of 5 different locations we stayed at in San Diego, this was by far the best! Very well cared for facilities and friendly staff, and there are over 300 spots available, the majority of which are well spaced. There are a number of long term staffers and RVers there, but their pride and regulations show in how clean their camp spots are. It also felt safe enough to let the kids go off on the bikes for hours at a time, like we used to be able to do as kids in our own neighborhoods. Our kids made new friends, got some scrapes and bruises, and learned to ride their bikes better than ever. Almost unheard of today… Oh, our dog also got bit by a rattlesnake, while there, but he’s ok thanks to the Mast Blvd Pet Hospital about 7 minutes away. One of the few pet hospitals in the area with antivenin. We highly recommend Santee Lakes and will be back!