Spending two nights at Dixon Lake Recreation Area just outside Escondido, California

After leaving Seattle and being on the road for over a week, our first multi-night stay was at Dixon Lake Recreation Area, just outside of San Diego, California. We had two sets of friends to visit in San Diego so we stayed for two nights.

The road into Dixon Lake Recreation Area is no joke if you’re in an RV. It’s a 10% grade up hill and then once you’re in the park, it’s single lane roads that are full of curves and bends. Our 25ft Leisure Travel Van was able to make it but I don’t think anything over 30ft would stand a chance.

We got to choose our site in advance and Tim chose campsite #29 because it looked like there was nobody behind us. When we got there we discovered why: because all that was behind us was a cliff with a beautiful view over the city of Escondido.

After settling in, we headed out for dinner with our old neighbors and dear friends Jesse and Angela. We stopped by their house first to see their kids and then the adults headed out to dinner at a restaurant in nearby Carlsbad called Campfire. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious, it was sort of a family style dinner for the sides but then you had your own main course dish. The desserts especially were a standout event. I had smoked butterscotch soft serve and Tim had s’mores which came deconstructed with a tiny little campfire for him to cook them on. It was very well done.

But the company we kept was the main star of the night. I love that even after going months or even years without seeing each other, Tim and I have friends who will go to dinner with us and just pick up where we left off. I truly treasure these types of friendships.

The next day we got up and did all the chores that come with being on the road for a week straight, namely vacuuming and mopping the floor. When we left Seattle we discovered that both of our bikes didn’t fit on the bike rack on the new RV and so we’d been travelling with one of them in the cab and moving it back to front was getting tiresome. We ordered a hitch extender and had it shipped to Jesse & Angela’s and they brought it to dinner and so we were finally able to get it out of the house which was nice.

After our chores we went for a bike ride down to the lake which was cut short by us not understanding the map and getting on the wrong trail. But we got to have a nice picnic lunch outside and then we headed back to see Jesse & Angela, plus the kids, for a few hours.

Once they left I stayed out and watched the sunset, and then the stars appear. The light pollution from Escondido prevented the stars from really showing up but it was still a beautiful view with the stars twinkling above and the city twinkling below.

If you’re looking for a campground with a beautiful view and lots of walking and outdoor activities you will love Dixon Lake Recreation Area and its campground. We will definitely be back!