KOA Campground, San Diego, is an affordable alternative to hotels and resorts when visiting this vibrant city. 

We love visiting San Diego and often return several times a year. Some of our favorite attractions include SeaWorld, the Zoo, Balboa Park, Old Town, Downtown, La Jolla, and Seaport Village.

We usually drive to San Diego and back on the same day, though occasionally, we stay overnight at a hotel. Among our preferred hotels are the Manchester Grand Hyatt and Comfort Inn and Suites, especially the kid-friendly rooms. Read the full San Diego guide here.

This year, we decided to try something new: camping at the KOA San Diego Metro in Chula Vista. The location is conveniently close to many local attractions and shopping areas, making it an ideal base camp.

The campground is beautifully landscaped, featuring plenty of trees and well-maintained bathrooms and showers. Sites are available for tent or RV camping, and one and two-room cabins are available.

We opted for a one-room cabin, which was cozy but well-equipped with a twin bed, a set of bunks for the kids, a small table, a chair, hooks, windows, and both indoor and outdoor lights.

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Outside, we enjoyed a small porch with a swing chair, a picnic table, a barbecue grill, and a spacious lawn. The abundance of shade trees provided a welcome respite from the afternoon sun. The office also offers fire ring and firewood delivery upon request. We made sure to order some for our traditional s'mores.

Tip: There's a large grocery store, Food for Less, conveniently located right next to the KOA camp. This can save you the hassle of packing a lot of groceries for your trip. We found this out the hard way after filling our SUV with supplies!

To beat the heat, we took full advantage of the large, refreshing swimming pool located next to the office. The water temperature was perfect for summer, and there were plenty of lounge chairs and some shaded areas. Adjacent to the pool is a small park with a playground, where many camp activities occur.

Some of the activities available at KOA included creating your own tie-dye shirts, an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, making your own ice cream sundae, bingo nights, movie nights with free popcorn, and family games. My kids enjoyed making tie-dye shirts that they could actually wear, and the pancakes at the Sunday breakfast were delicious. We skipped some of the other activities in favor of exploring the city.

The campground also offers bike rentals, a coffee shop, and a barbecue stand. The kids enjoyed riding the three-wheeled bikes and exploring the campgrounds independently.

Tip: Be prepared for bugs, as with most camping sites. Make sure to bring your favorite bug repellent and sprays. If you're visiting in the summer, consider bringing a portable fan to stay cool.

From this base camp, we visited the following attractions:

Cabrillo National Monument: This monument honors explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who was the first European to set foot on the west coast of North America. The park offers museums, tide-pool exploration, and a stunning view of San Diego from a high vantage point. If you're interested in the tide pools, make sure to check the low tide schedule. For more information, visit the official website.

SeaWorld Summer Nights: SeaWorld offers too many rides, shows, and exhibits to see in just one day. We usually purchase an annual pass and spread our visits over several days. The park transforms into a lively party of sights and sounds during summer nights. The whales and dolphins perform great music, with pyrotechnics and acrobats adding to the excitement. We also enjoyed breathtaking views from the Sky Tower and an exhilarating trip to the Wild Arctic via a helicopter simulator. For more details, visit the SeaWorld page here or go to SeaWorld's official website.

Mission Bay: We explored the Mission Bay Park area, where the kids had a great time at the playground. We had also planned to rent bikes and ride along the extensive trails, but the weather was too warm. For more information, visit the Mission Bay Park website.

Balboa Park: Covering 1,000 acres, Balboa Park offers a variety of attractions, including museums, a science center, the San Diego Zoo, a carousel, and the Spanish Village Art Center. The park also features hiking and biking trails. For more details, visit the official Balboa Park website or explore more about Balboa Park here.

Old Town San Diego: This state park captures the area's rich history and is considered the "birthplace" of California. It was the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California and features several historic buildings, shops, trolley tours, and museums. For more details, visit the Old Town San Diego Guide.