Lake Jennings Is Hidden By The Hills

Camp Without Leaving San Diego County

By Connie Goldin, MA, MFT

Lake Jennings is a lovely lake in San Diego’s East County community of Lakeside that is easy to get to and charming to visit. Whether you want to go for a picnic, to fish or to camp out, you’ll be surprised by how scenic and relaxing this park is.

When we drove up to the camping area, we saw a photo of a wild turkey posted on the camping pay station. I told the ranger that I had just seen two turkeys on the drive down from El Capitan Reservoir, which is a few miles north. She was delighted to hear the news and said she had only seen the one in the photo. Bird watching is a great activity at Lake Jennings. San Diego County has so many species of birds, “In fact, San Diego County has recorded over 475 bird species, more than any other county in the U.S.” Grab a bird guide and head out. It’s amazing what you can see when you begin to actively seek birds.

A little drive around the lake gave a glimpse of the camp grounds. There were little tents set on the hill overlooking the lake. The vegetation was a pretty mix of cactus and shade trees. It seemed quiet and calm. At the lake, a father was peddling a rented boat (bicycle-style) with two kids, and a mom was supervising her toddler as she walked on the small dock. It was surprising to see this scene so close to a neighborhood. It is a special spot.

If you have limited time and budget, you might check out Lake Jennings for a short vacation. Kids will love it and it doesn’t require a long drive with everyone asking, “Are we there yet?” After just twenty or thirty minutes, Mom and Dad can say, “Yes! We are here!”

Create Lasting Memories With A Fun Adventure