Rancho Los Coches RV Park offers long-term and short-term stays in Lakeside, California, which is found east of San Diego. The property has a total of 135 RV sites that are open to the public year-round. One unique amenity on the property is the Svenska Flicka chapel, which is a chapel that offers a place for people of different religions to worship. Rancho Los Coches RV Park has a history that can be traced back to the mid-1800s, including the timeline of when the windmill was built. The property is pet-friendly, allowing guests to bring their pets however there are specific guidelines with Rottweiler and Pit Bull breeds. Rancho Los Coches RV Park has a variety of events that take place throughout the year.
There are a total of 135 RV sites at Rancho Los Coches RV Park. Each unit comes with full hookups, including water, sewage, and electricity, which go to 30 amps and 50 amps. Guests can choose to stay for a few weeks, several months, or even multiple years, depending on what kind of living arrangements they would like. The rent covers one rig, one vehicle, two people, and approved pets, and more of any of these are an extra charge. Some people come seasonally during the winter for the holidays, while others come during the summer for things like biking, hiking, or family vacations.
The property has a number of amenities that are available to those staying at Rancho Los Coches RV Park. A unique building on the property that guests can visit is the Svenska Flicka Chapel. The chapel has a place for various religions, allowing people of different faiths, such as Christians or Buddhists, to have a place of worship. Nearby the chapel, there are public showers and bathrooms, as well as a laundry room. The laundry room has eight washers and eight dryers, which are coin-operated. Guests can exchange money for a roll of quarters at the main office. In the main office, there is an ice cream freezer and a shelf where guests can buy things for their rigs, including lightbulbs, toilet paper, and chemicals.
People can spend time in the rec room, which has a television, pool table, ping-pong table, darts, and other games and puzzles. In the fitness room, visitors can use the weight equipment, treadmills, bikes, leg presses, and other exercise equipment. There is an outdoor recreational area that guests can rent out for activities and events. The kitchen typically remains locked unless there is a reservation or party being held. For those that rent the rec hall area, there is a 50 dollar deposit for cleaning, which can be returned to the customer if they clean up after themselves.
Outside, there is a pool, spa, disc golf course, and an area for dogs where they can be off their leash. The pool is free to those who are staying at Rancho Los Coches RV Park, and guests can bring visitors who are not staying at the property for an additional charge.
Beyond the Rancho Los Coches RV Park, there are a variety of places where guests can grab food. The manager explains that there are quite a few Italian restaurants in the vicinity, but her favorite one is called Gaetano's, which can be walked to from the property, as it is along the same street. Mango Twist is another nearby location that serves various smoothies and sandwich options. Finally, the manager likes to recommend Eastbound Bar and Grill to visitors looking for a place to eat, saying, "Even though it has a bar, it tends to be a more outgoing experience, even for families." Eastbound Bar and Grill serves burgers and other similar items, as well as many different kinds of locally crafted beer.
Though Rancho Los Coches RV Park is pet-friendly, they do have dog breed restrictions, specifically concerning Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. Cats or other animals that are brought outside must be on a leash as well. Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am. As per California law, smoking is prohibited indoors, as well as in the pool area, spa, or laundry area, but visitors can smoke outside or in their own living arrangements. Ashtrays can be found in various outside locations. Marijuana is allowed to be used on the property, but only in visitors' personal spaces. Glass containers are not allowed in the pool area and are to be kept on the guest's own site.
Rancho Los Coches RV Park holds various celebrations and parties over the year. There is one monthly celebration called Donut Saturday where, on the first Saturday of the month, guests can get a donut and some coffee, milk, or juice from the office. In the summer, Ice Cream Socials are held frequently, free of charge as well. For Halloween, a big party is held where visitors can go trick-or-treating, a parade occurs, and there are a variety of games with prizes. During the holidays, there is a Christmas party, and in order to get on the guest list, guests need to bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card, which will then be donated to a charity. Dinner is paid for, and there are several activities held throughout the celebration. There is a celebration held for Memorial Day, and in the past, they have had the opportunity to retire an American flag.
The manager of Rancho Los Coches RV Park has several goals for the future. One of those goals is that they want guests to feel relaxed and to enjoy their time at the edifice. Many people come to San Diego for vacations or to see loved ones that are currently in the area. The manager would like the RV park to be regarded as a place where people can unwind and relax. To help them feel that way, the employees try to welcome the guests when they arrive, free postcards and snacks are offered, and they have a phone number that is given to those staying at the business so they can call or text if they have any issues or need any help. The manager reports that they try to interact with their guests pretty often and that they strive to say hi and check in on them.
A number of people who have stayed at Rancho Los Coches RV Park have also left reviews of how their experience went. One thing that is often mentioned is the level of cleanliness and the condition of the property when the visitors arrive. One person who recently stayed at the edifice writes, "It is well kept, quiet, and there are beautiful common areas. The staff is friendly and always ready to help. Sites are nicely appointed and clean. There is a great pool, gym, spa, and good WiFi."
The current owner has had the property since the early 2000s, but the land has been used as an RV park for much longer. The edifice began being used as an RV Park in 1925, though it was under a different name. It had its name changed to Rancho Los Coches RV Park in 1973, under the ownership of the Ramsteads, and there were only 29 trailer spaces at the time. The owner had done a lot of work on the property while he owned it. He sold it to the current owner in the early 2000s, who continued to spend time trying to improve the property.
The land began first as a land grant, the smallest land grant that was given when the area was within Mexico's borders in 1843. The land grant went to a woman named Apolinaria Lorenzana, who had been an orphan. Ownership swapped hands to a number of various people when she died until it finally ended up with the Ramsteads, who turned it into an RV park.
The windmill on the property was one of the first things that was constructed. Though it is nearly a century old, it has been refurbished and redone to the point where it still works.
13468 Interstate 8 Business
Lakeside, California 92040
United States
Campground
Rancho Los Coches LLC
Ramsteads
