Shooting/Camping in San Diego

[Purdue]

Hey guys, I wasn't scheduled this weekend and neither was the girl. I'm looking to introduce her to the 1911 this weekend... and she wants to go camping.

Discussed this here: http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142940&highlight=shooting+diego

and Orosco Ridge was suggested... but I am having trouble finding out what campsites are near the shooting area... and if they'll be open or not.

So, my question to you all is:

Does anyone know a good place to drive out to within a few hours of San Diego, where I can just drive off the road maybe and pitch a tent? And fire off a few rounds? I just got a used (stock) jeep last week... so taking it for a little light off-roading to get to the campsite would be an added bonus.

I know people have mentioned just pulling off the road out east, but nobody has given me a definitive spot that they know works well... and I don't know if I could just pull off the road and camp out there or not... and how pissy they'd be if I built a fire.

It's a last minute gig, trying to leave tomorrow (26JUL2008) morning and camp Saturday night, Sunday night. I'd appreciate any help as I am scrambling to throw together a weekend outing.

 

[Rubiks06]

im not sure of any places that qualify for what you are looking for but i would caution you against just droppping the tailgaite pitching a tent and starting a bon-fire. Dont be that guy that starts a campfire and burns half of california down.

 

[Purdue]

im not sure of any places that qualify for what you are looking for but i would caution you against just droppping the tailgaite pitching a tent and starting a bon-fire. Dont be that guy that starts a campfire and burns half of california down.

Agreed. I'm more specifically looking for a legal campground, or a place where camping isn't ILLEGAL.

I'm fairly certain my Eagle Scout skillz would prevent me from starting a wildfire, but I'm more interested in not having an unhappy encounter with Johnny Law...

So I'm wondering if anyone has been on a similar excursion and has a recommendation.

 

[Schnugg]

Go east on I-8. Stop out by the dunes and drive north. Shoot and camp. You'll need 4WD.

Any BLM land is good to go. See: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/mapelcentro2.html

 

[FormerRecruitingGuru]

Go east on I-10. Stop out by the dunes and drive north. Shoo and camp. You'll need 4WD.

Any BLM land is good to go. See: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/mapelcentro2.html

You mean the I-8?

I was gonna say he doesn't need to go out all the way to the Mohave desert to shoot around.

 

[Purdue]

Go east on I-10. Stop out by the dunes and drive north. Shoo and camp. You'll need 4WD.

Any BLM land is good to go. See: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/mapelcentro2.html

I've never used BLM lands... but I wont need a permit? Campfires are legal? And where-about are the Dunes that i'll turn North at? I appreciate the help... and the link you gave is kind of legal-eze... so sorry for the further questioning.

 

[Brett327]

Check out the Anza-Borrego area. Lots of camping, fires are OK, dunno about the shooting - may have to drive out of camp a bit. It's gonna be fucking hot though.

Brett

 

[invertedflyer]

I would recommend going up to Palomar Mountain for camping... its east on the 76 from the 15 North. The camp itself is at 5-6,000 ft. so you can beat the heat. There are some great day hikes as well as the Palomar Mtn. observatory. If I remember correctly there are a couple firing ranges down in Warner Springs, about half hour's drive. If not there, then head out to the desert.. it'll be 110 + though.

http://www.totalescape.com/active/campstuff/SP/palomr.html

 

[Purdue]

I would recommend going up to Palomar Mountain for camping... its east on the 76 from the 15 North. The camp itself is at 5-6,000 ft. so you can beat the heat. There are some great day hikes as well as the Palomar Mtn. observatory. If I remember correctly there are a couple firing ranges down in Warner Springs, about half hour's drive. If not there, then head out to the desert.. it'll be 110 + though.

http://www.totalescape.com/active/campstuff/SP/palomr.html

This is the current plan... hopefully there wont be too many people going camping this weekend, and we can get a spot!

Thanks guys!

 

[invertedflyer]

Enjoy man, its great up there this time of year.

 

[Herc_Dude]

I would recommend going up to Palomar Mountain for camping... its east on the 76 from the 15 North. The camp itself is at 5-6,000 ft. so you can beat the heat. There are some great day hikes as well as the Palomar Mtn. observatory. If I remember correctly there are a couple firing ranges down in Warner Springs, about half hour's drive. If not there, then head out to the desert.. it'll be 110 + though.

http://www.totalescape.com/active/campstuff/SP/palomr.html

And if you see some poor souls out there, toss em a dead rabbit or something...

 

[BACONATOR]

And if you see some poor souls out there, toss em a dead rabbit or something...

LOL. You beat me to it! haha...

 

[invertedflyer]

heh, indeed. http://www.warnersprings.com/history.cfm

 

[Catmando]

And if you see some poor souls out there, toss em a dead rabbit or something...

Dead rabbit would be far better than what one of our guys did for those "poor souls" way back in the day.

He loaded up snacks and candy in his speed brakes, and dropped 'em over Warner Springs for the guys. His intentions were good.
But he didn't realize altitude-frozen candy bars dropped at his speed and angels were serious "incoming" projectiles…and could have killed someone!

Fortunately, no harm-no foul, but massive rug dancing later.

Nevertheless a couple of those "poor souls" on the ground scored some greatly appreciated, but forbidden and recently deadly frozen snacks that had narrowly missed them.

 

[Flugelman]

heh, indeed. http://www.warnersprings.com/history.cfm

Strange, we weren't offered any of the vacation "Packages" that link advertises. Guess we were too early back in '67... The rabbit and pigeon soup was to die for, tho...