Helen and I are very fortunate to have access to the campgrounds on military installations. They are very reasonably priced, well-staffed, and secure. We have used them all over the country, so choosing a favorite is difficult, but I have narrowed my choices down to two. Cliffside RV Park at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Oak Island, WA, is in second place. The setting is lovely, and the sunsets are staggeringly beautiful. In addition, a horticulturist serves as a camp host and plants gorgeous flowers in every spot available. I have a link to our visit to Whidbey Island here.
Fiddler’s Cove RV Park and Marina, operated by the Navy in Coronado Beach, CA, tops my list of favorites. We have camped at Fiddler’s Cove for the previous three years and hope to return often in the years to come. The campsites are spacious concrete pads, and every site has a view of Coronado Bay. A reservation is not easy to obtain, so we call six months in advance to secure a spot for as many days as possible, then build a trip around that reservation. We had eleven days this year.
Driving to San Diego from El Centro, CA, takes a little over two hours, which is manageable and offers some fascinating scenery. The desert sands of Southern California are intriguing and always filled with dune buggies and dirt bikers. Helen captured the picture below while driving through.
As we neared San Diego, the now-green landscape began to fill with California Poppies lighting up the hillsides with brilliant colors of yellow and orange. Entire mountainsides were covered along the highway. We didn’t have this display on our previous visits and were delighted with the show.
After checking into Fiddler’s Cove, we were assigned a middle row with an unobstructed view of Coronado Bay. The image below is the view from our front bedroom window…it was now time to relax and let the fun begin.
Helen and I can set up our trailer and connect the utilities in less than thirty minutes. The nice weather facilitated things considerably, and we completed the task quickly. I needed to stretch my legs after the drive and was eager to work with my new camera, so I grabbed it and searched for photo opportunities. It didn’t take long. The mountains and flowers overlooking the bay were easy to target, as was the view of the Marina (image at top).
A few nights later, I wanted to try again to capture a night shot after my frustrating attempt in Las Cruces, NM. I mounted the camera on a tripod, attached a remote, and aimed the camera at the lights of Coronado and San Diego across the water. The result is shown below. The daytime image of that view is posted below the night shot.
Downtown Coronado Beach and the Coronado Hotel are charming, and we took advantage of the accommodating weather to stroll the town. Helen found bargains along the sidewalks and walked away with a new jacket and a colorful top.
The beach is across the highway from the campground and usually has no beach walkers late in the afternoon when the temperatures drop quickly. Once again, I grabbed the camera and walked over to capture a sunset. Unfortunately, we arrived a little too late for sunset, but the beach was scenic enough by itself.
The charming town of Imperial Beach is about four miles south of Fiddler’s Cove and sits right on the border with Mexico. We decided to visit the city after a couple of our neighbors told us about the lovely time they had walking on the Imperial Beach Pier. A walk along the pier takes visitors to the most southwesterly point in the continental United States…and we were there.
Readers have probably heard about California’s incredible snow over the past few weeks. The many feet of snow have overwhelmed many mountain towns, and snow was recorded as far south as San Diego County. We experienced several days of heavy rain while at Fiddler’s Cove, and when the skies cleared, we could see snow on the mountains to our southeast. Although the snow caused much disruption to everyone except the ski resorts, it was a welcome site to the farmers and city managers because extreme drought conditions had prevailed for most of a decade, and water shortages were severe. Californians may now get relief from rationing.
Thanks to the many following us on this journey and kindly commenting. If anyone wishes to reach out, feel free—the comment section is below. Please stay with us—Temecula wine country and Seal Beach are up next, and we want you Easin’ Along with us.
Your opening photo set the tone for a very peaceful, enjoyable read. How lucky you are to have access to this beautiful campground.
I love the sand dunes shot that Helen took and my favorite overall is the Imperial Beach shot. The muted colors make it look painterly.
So strange to think of ‘days of rain’ and ‘overwhelming snow’ in California.
Thanks for the update. Looks like you guys are off to a very good beginning.
Good afternoon, Suzanne,
The entire area around Coronado could easily be described as painterly…it really is special. We spent some time strolling through the town and found it charming (drinks at the hotel are a bit pricy). More snow is due over the weekend, but only in the mountains. Oh well, it IS March! You should be cruising soon. Travel safely and enjoy! Joe
So much fun! All is well on the home front! Love you guys!
Foster,
Thanks for all your help and the updates. Give Guinness a love pat from us. See you in April. Joe
What an incredible campsite you had at Fiddler’s Cove! I can see why you want to return every year. It’s worth building your trip around whatever days you can get!
Your photos of Coronado Island are gorgeous. We’ve been there a couple of times while visiting Eric’s family in San Diego and have always found the island enchanting. And wow, you really hit the jackpot with the California poppies this year. Looks like you two are having a wonderful trip!
Hi, Laurel,
The California Poppies were terrific. We saw many of them in New Mexico several years ago but none since. Timing is everything. Thanks for your help identifying my “squirrel squeezer.” There is another bird here that I would love to have identified. Hopefully, I’ll get my camera on it soon. Enjoy your time in Cedar Key–we camped there after we met you and Eric. Fun place!
Coronado Beach and San Diego brought back wonderful memories!!! Your day and night pics were awesome!!! Looking forward to the days ahead!!!
Enjoy,
Luanne
Luanne,
Thanks for the nice comments. We also have wonderful memories of Coronado, and that’s why we come back. Glad to have you with us. Enjoy your weekend, and please stay in touch. Joe
Good ole San Diego, my former home town. There really are no bad views (how I also feel about Spokane). You got a treat by traveling during a crazy LA Nina winter, Joe. Your last shot of the snow covered mountains from the SD harbor is iconic and what hospitality companies use to draw tourists. We won’t be down that way until March 28, likely you will be easin along by then.
Hey, Terri,
I would LOVE to stay until March 28 (and beyond) but can’t do it this year. Would love to meet up with you and Hans at some point so we’ll keep trying. The snow on the mountains was picture-perfect, and we have more of it here in Seal Beach with another round due in on Friday. The weather puts a damper on things, but I don’t mind–California desperately needs the water. Thanks so much for checking in–always great to hear from you. Joe
Joe, every year I dread seeing your photos from Fiddler’s Cove because they immediately push my Envy Button. Just. So. Beautiful. I trust you are enjoying every minute, even the rainy ones.
A childhood friend and her husband have lived on Whidbey for decades. Knowing that area, I’m not surprised that Cliffside is on your short list – although I have to admit that the noisy flights out of the Naval Air Station occasionally dampen my enthusiasm. I agree with Suzanne – that photo of Imperial Beach is magnificent!!!
Good morning, Mary,
Thanks so much for the lovely comments. You’re right–we enjoyed every minute at Fiddler’s Cove. Our current home, Seal Beach, is nice but not as scenic. I got lucky with the Imperial Beach photo but glad you liked it. Hope your trip to Florida went well. I’m looking forward to hearing about it so, please stay in touch. All our best to you and Alan. Joe
I love traveling along with you and Helen. Your photos are beautiful. See you in Temecula Wine Country and Seal Beach!
Good morning, Donna,
We sincerely love having you along. Coronado was great and we enjoyed our time in Temecula with our kids. Enjoy your week and be sure to come back. Always great to hear from you. Joe
I really enjoy both your travelogues and at home stories. I sometimes wish I was still in east TN but as I sometimes say my ex got custody of Oak Ridge in the divorce! I have done some traveling recently and am considering becoming a snowbird now that I have recently sort of settled down in SW MI where my adult children live. Have you ever been anywhere near Green Valley, AZ?
Good morning, Sue,
East Tennessee is probably too cold for snowbirds, but I’m glad I can call it home when I’m not on the road. SW MI is too cold for me, although MI is lovely in the summer. I’ve never been to Green Valley, but I’ve been close. We usually camp in Tucson on our way west, and Green Valley is about 30 miles away. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend, and please come back. Joe