Campland gets green light for 15 more years

Mission Bay Camping Secured for Another 15 Years

San Diego families who have made Campland on the Bay a summer tradition can breathe easy. The City Council voted unanimously this week to extend leases for both Campland and Mission Bay RV Resort, preserving nearly 1,000 waterfront campsites for another decade or more.

The Tuesday vote secured 10-year extensions with an option for five additional years for both campgrounds in the Pacific Beach area. District 2 Councilmember Jennifer Campbell called it a major win for affordable public coastal access.

For locals who grew up roasting marshmallows along De Anza Cove, the decision was a relief. Campland has operated on Mission Bay's shores since 1969, becoming a multigenerational tradition for San Diego families who cannot afford pricey hotel rooms but still want waterfront vacations.

The deal also benefits city coffers. Mission Bay RV Resort waived more than $2 million in rent credits owed by the city, and combined lease payments will generate $2 million annually moving forward.

There is a catch. The city approved plans last year to eventually transform the northeast corner of Mission Bay into climate-friendly marshland as part of the De Anza Natural initiative. If funding materializes and the Coastal Commission signs off, the city can terminate the leases with two years notice.

That transformation is likely years away. The Coastal Commission has not yet approved the conceptual plan, and similar environmental projects typically take 15 to 20 years from planning to implementation.

Council President Joe LaCava praised the leases while warning the operator against any future attempts to block public beach access.

For now, the campfires will keep burning on Mission Bay.

Sources: Times of San Diego | Fox 5 San Diego | San Diego Union-Tribune | NBC San Diego