About Us
Campland on the Bay® is a legendary destination RV resort open 365 days a year. Campland® has repeatedly been voted San Diego’s favorite campground. Located on Mission Bay, the nation’s largest aquatic park, just east of Crown Point, the resort occupies 40 prime acres with over 560 campsites.
Campers return year after year to enjoy the outstanding location, amenities, and friendly staff. At Campland, exceeding our guest’s expectations is our business! Only dedicated team members help our campers and visitors enjoy an atmosphere full of wonderful experiences that bring them back again and again. Famous for our commitment to family-friendly fun, Campland is an unforgettable resort experience for campers and fun-seekers of all ages.
Glamping Anyone?
Our campground is famously rich with amenities. Restrooms, showers, swimming pools and spas, laundry facility, game room, market and coffee, just to name a few. Our RV sites offer full hook-ups and other options. Learn more about our amenities.
Friendly the Wolf
For the past 30+ years, Friendly the Wolf™ has been the beloved mascot of Campland. Friendly spreads the message of family-friendly fun to everyone he meets.
Guest Directory - Services
Check out our digital guest directory and welcome guide.
Click here to download a print version of our Guest Services directory.
History of Campland
Campland opened in 1969 as one of the first commercial leaseholds in Mission Bay Park, providing San Diego local and visitors the beloved experience of waterfront camping. Campland has been continuously operated by the same management team since 1977. Early-on, management committed to providing a family-oriented recreation and entertainment experience with everything campers could possibly need, and so much more. Among the first projects undertaken in 1977 was to plant over 1,100 trees. Those small trees have grown to provide shade and natural beauty throughout the resort. The trees have also become habitats for local wildlife. Learn more about the trees.
As part of Campland’s ongoing commitment to the environment, management has updated to energy-efficient lighting, installed recycling containers throughout the resort, and taken other steps to tread lightly in the resort’s tidelands setting.
Years ago, Terra Vista Management, Inc.’s President and CEO, Michael Gelfand began his career as Campland’s recreation department manager. He implemented year-round daily activities and events now managed by a staff of amazing recreation leaders. Campland’s Recreation Department delights in organizing arts & crafts, kick ball, flag-football, and so many new activities every year to provide campers with unlimited family-friendly fun.
No history of Campland is complete without mentioning its devoted team members, several of whom have worked at Campland for over 30 years. Families return generation after generation to enjoy friendly service, playing and camping on the water at San Diego’s world-renowned Mission Bay, the world’s largest aquatic park. Staff members take pride in providing new and returning guests with ahhoooutstanding experiences year after year. Campland’s history is so much more than its location. It is the culmination of the wonderful family experiences that its campers have enjoyed since 1969. At Campland, “Campland Raised” is not just a slogan – it’s the truth.
Campland's Sustainability Efforts
Since its opening in 1969, Campland encourages their campers, guests, and employees to be good stewards of the environment. Below are ten sustainability programs by Campland on the Bay. Click on the tab below to learn more about each of our sustainability efforts.
1. Hosting over 1,160 Mature Trees planted in the early 1970’s.
To educate guests and the public, Campland installed a large banner showing the location of the various trees and their benefits at the resort. These 36 varieties of mature trees benefit the resort by:
- Supporting wildlife by supplying habitat and food for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
- Providing oxygen.
- Absorbing massive amounts of carbon. 100 trees remove 53 tons of carbon dioxide and 430 pounds of other air pollutants per year.
- Helping to control climate by moderating the effects of the sun, rain, and wind.
- Enhancing the aesthetics and providing shade.
- Preserving and enhancing soil.
- Producing fruits and nuts.
2. Use Eco-Friendly Materials
Since 1969 when Campland first opened, it has avoided the use of harmful chemicals in their landscaping and resort operations. The boat wash area is water rinse only and no soaps or chemicals can be used. Authorized detailers use bio-friendly products only. Campland is also addressing the drought. Employees use control nozzles on all water hoses to minimize water use. Campland is planting more native drought-tolerant plants. The Cantina serves their food and drinks with recyclable materials.
3. Long-standing Recycling Program
3. Campland continues its recycling program and provides recycle bins in in high-traffic common areas and within a few yards of the campsites. Campland recently installed new signs at the beach to promote and encourage sustainability and the use of reusable items.
4. Energy-efficient
Campland has updated its facilities to use energy-efficient lighting throughout the resort.
5. Marine Debris Reduction Program
Campland participates in a marine debris reduction program to reduce waste and single-use plastics. All items are served in compostable and/or eco-friendly supplies and materials. Campland Cantina’s efforts include the following:
- Only plant-based, compostable food ware is used for onsite dining.
- Plant-based straws are provided only upon request.
- No expanded polystyrene use (aka Styrofoam).
- No plastic bags are used for takeout or to-go orders.
- Single-use utensils, straws, condiments, and other accessory items are provided upon request only.
- Beverages are not sold in plastic bottles
- Proper recycling practices are followed.
- Vegetarian and vegan food options are offered on a regular basis.
- The Cantina is equipped and lit with 100% energy efficient LED lighting.
- Concessions and prepackaged food items are not sold in plastic packaging.
6. Protect the Environment & Wildlife
Each year to protect and restore the environment, Campland employees and campers volunteer to help clean the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve and assist the Friends of Rose Creek with their cleanup efforts.
Campland is pro-wildlife. We educate our campers on how to interact with the local wildlife. Raccoons, opossums, ground squirrels, and more plus a huge variety of birds and ducks visit Campland regularly.
7. Environmental Education
Campland is adding new interpretive signs to inform the public and campers about:
a. How the nearby wetlands contribute to the ecosystem.
b. The history of the area as used by native peoples.
c. How sea level rise will impact the future of Mission Bay.
d. Birds of the area – Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve and De Anza Cove.
These are being produced in cooperation with the California Coastal Commission.
8. De Anza Clean-up and Improvement Project
Mission Bay RV Resort, which shares its management team with Campland on the Bay, completed the De Anza Clean-up and Improvement Project. This effort included:
- Asbestos abatement and safe removal of 169 abandoned mobile homes
- Activated 147 new campsites at Mission Bay RV Resort in response to growing public demand for affordable waterfront accommodations.
- Repaired and improved the bike and pedestrian path around De Anza Cove.
9. Donations to Environmental & Wildlife Nonprofits
9. Each year, the Campland Cares initiative makes donations to community nonprofits, including organizations specializing in environmental education such as I Love a Clean San Diego, The Humane Society of San Diego, and Ocean Discovery Institute.
10. EV Charger Installations
In cooperation with the California Coastal Commission, Campland installed 4 EV chargers and Mission Bay RV Resort installed 12 EV chargers, which will be available for the general public enjoying coastal access.
