Rancho Los Coches RV Park

San Diego's best kept secret

Pressure Cookers Are All The Rage Again

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pressure cooker for the rvDo you remember the warnings given to you by your elders and the stories of pressure cookers exploding on unsuspecting people? Most of us heard them and most of us have been a little of leary of pressure cookers ever since.

They are making a resurgence, though, and are pretty well suited to RVing. They cook your food in an amazingly short period of time while still offering the hands-free use of a crockpot. It is also being said that pressure cooking can better preserve the nutrients in food due to the reduced cooking time. As for those old exploding ones your Aunt used to warn you about…they have been completely redesigned and are safe to use these days.

RVers like their freedom and most are not interested in being tied to the stove for the day. A pressure cooker can serve up a hearty beef stew in about 30 minutes. Most people rave about how tender the food is and how happy they are with their new-old appliance. The new designs are sturdy and energy efficient as well.

Lots of things come and go for campers and we see our share of trends. We have been hearing more and more about the new style of pressure cookers and expect to see more of them around the campground.

Some Of The Best Friends Are RVing Friends

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RVing friendsMany of our guests have been coming here for years. Not only have we had the chance to get to know them and their families but they’ve had lots of time to get to know each other. We often see a camping couple arrive to smiles and visits from their neighbors. Soon several people are sitting around outside catching up on all that has happened with each other since the last time they were here.

These are lasting friendships in which we have all celebrated with each other as babies were born and shared heartache when families have experienced health issues or loss. We care about each other and have fondly watched kids grow up and grandchildren arrive, go off to college, get married, and have kids of their own. Each are sincerely interested in the well-being of the other.

There are many benefits to RVing and this is one that often goes unmentioned by advertisers. Sure, you can get away and enjoy your freedom. You can explore new places and experience new things. But the people you meet just might become very important to you and just as close in friendship as the ones you left behind.

We love being part of this kind of caring community and we look forward to what the future holds for everyone in our little corner of the world. Life is good and so is RVing next door to good people who will help you when you need it and celebrate with you when you have something great to share.

We’d love for you to join us and find out what we are talking about.

Campers and RVers are Fun to be Around

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campers are fun to be aroundWe think campers are amazing people and we’ve enjoyed spending them time with them for as long as we’ve been here. There is something special about the kind of people who go camping.

They like to have fun
Parents enjoy some one-on-one time with their kids. Old friends and family spend time together around the campfire. Favorite old board games make an appearance and so do our childhood favorites like freeze tag. It’s delightful to see that elders are playing with grandkids and cousins are playing with cousins.

They make great neighbors
You’re never really alone when you’re in the campground. We often see a neighbor assist someone new in backing up their rig. Families share recipes and parents keep an eye out for kids, no matter if they are theirs or someone else’s.

They pitch in 
Groups of campers share a campfire and everyone brings something to eat or drink. Potlucks are a favorite and a great way to meet the neighbors. Often one family has extra chairs and another family has an extra cooler. They pool their resources and spend a good day together.

They are problem solvers
There is no problem a camper cannot solve. And when they put their heads together, look out! Items break sometimes, slides stop moving, you forget the coffee filters, or you accidentally arrive a day early. Campers can figure it out. They find a way to fix the problem and then get on with the things that matter. They get back to having fun.

We are always impressed at how wonderful our campers are. Many come here several times per year and some have been coming for many years. We consider them family and look forward to catching up with them each time they arrive.

If you’d like to join us please call to make a reservation soon. Fall and Winter camping is amazing!

 

Get the Kids Involved in the Adventure of Camping

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Kids help packing to go campingThe tasks involved in getting ready for and cleaning up after your camping and RVing trip doesn’t have to fall to only one or two people in the group. If you’re bringing kids along you can extend their enjoyment of the whole trip by allowing them to be part of the pre and post work that is required.

Beginning from the age of three or four, the kids are old enough to help with the simpler tasks of packing and unpacking. They can be helpful with carrying small items from the house to the camper or helping to set the table for meals. They love to be part of the family activities and get a real kick out of helping at this age.

Elementary school aged kids can help pack, particularly if you have a printed list they can check off. They can be tasked with packing their own things, too. Give each child a backpack for their belongings and let them add the necessary items. While you’re at the campsite they can help keep an eye on the younger kids and are a big help in preparing meals.

Older kids can handle heavier work such as gathering the firewood, setting the GPS, and helping to plan the route. They can help keeping the campsite clean and they are very capable of doing the laundry for you now. Flipping burgers and doing dishes can be part of their job while you’re all together in the great outdoors.

These activities help kids to feel they are more a part of the experience and it teaches them skills they’ll need when they become adults and start camping with their own families. Getting the group to work together expands the enjoyment of the whole group. You’ll have many more stories to share once you’ve returned and in later years when you remember back to some of your favorite trips.

Camping Beds for Baby and Toddler

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They are going to run their little legs of while they are here and will need a good night’s sleep to regenerate for another day of doing it again.

Sometimes Grandparents find they don’t have enough beds for their visiting grandchildren or maybe a family decides the Pack N Play is just too big for the rig. There are a few options for a variety of situations when it comes to putting the kids to sleep in your tent or RV.

Lots of kids are fine on the floor with a sleeping bag and a mat beneath them. You can choose the sleeping bag weight and fabric based on the climate where you will be camping.

Camping Cot for ToddlerIf you prefer they be up on a cot there are some very nice toddler size options. This Regalo My Cot Portable Bed  is very highly rated by users and it conveniently folds up like your camping chairs do. A matching sheet comes with it as does its own travel case.

It’s sturdy, low cost, and portable. Three very good things to have when you are planning your equipment list for the next camping trip.
Infant bed for campingFor infants, the Kilofly Instant Pop Up Portable Travel Bed  is a good option. The small profile makes it nice for camping due to limited space no matter what you are camping in. There as a screen attached that can be pulled up to keep mosquitoes away from the baby or kept open as well. The bottom has two bed pegs which act as stabilizers so the bed won’t be easily tipped.

This would be convenient for camping and for trips to the beach or to outdoor events. It folds up for easy carry and is made from non-toxic materials.

There are so many reasons to bring the kids camping from a very early age. The sooner they start the more time they get to enjoy it with the family and develop a lifelong love of camping. We are so glad to see these compact, affordable sleeping options for making campers happy and we look forward to seeing you this season.

Handy Tools RVers Will Want to Have on Hand

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RV toolboxRV years have to be strategic when they plan their packing checklist for trip. They struggle to carry the items they may need while reducing weight and space in the RV. You can predict everything that will happen but you can be prepared with the basics. We list a few things we’ve seen come in handy over the years.

Fixatives – you’ll need a source to repair things that have broken. Have some duct tape, electrical tape, fast acting glue, and silicone on hand.

Ties – pack some zip ties, bungee cords, fine gauge wire, bread ties, rope, and strapping. You’ll be surprised at how often these will come in handy.

Slicing and dicing – for sharp tools it’s helpful if you have a pocket knife, and a hatchet.

Lighting – it’s most useful if you have a flexible necked lighting source or lantern. These will help you see into small spaces or cross the campground at night.

Hand tools – bring the usual screwdrivers pliers, needle nose pliers, wire strippers, bottle openers, file, and sandpaper.

Toolbox – choose a toolbox that is light and has a small profile. As small as possible given the volume of tools it must contain. Toolboxes can be quite heavy on their own even before you fill them in that just adds weight to your RV.

We like for your camping to be worry free with no repairs needed but that doesn’t always happen so being prepared with the simple things can save you some frustration. We’re looking forward to seeing you around park and hope you come back many times in the years to come.

 

Pet Friendly RVing

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pet friendly rv parkEach year we see more and more RVers bringing their beloved pets along with them when camping. We can understand their desire to do so and we love having pet campers here as much as people campers. Aside from the usual courtesies of cleaning up after them and keeping them on a leash, there isn’t much to ask of pet owners in the park. We all enjoy spending time together and our pets are like children to us.

Most people take care to carry their pets’ vaccination records with them in case of an emergency on the road and medications are important, too. Sometimes you may find your pet has an alergy to something in our park that doesn’t grow in your yard at home so we have some great Veterinarians to recommend who will take good care of your dog or cat when needed.

The best part of staying with us, along with your pet, is the amount of time you get to spend outdoors with them. You can walk them just about any time of day and you’ll meet plenty of friendly people doing the same. There is something about pet owners that makes them friends before they have even had a chance to say hello.

We welcome you and your fur-kids here at Rancho Los Coches

Staying Active and Eating Healthy While RVing

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Eating healthy in the RvWe see more and more people moving daily, eating better, and living longer than ever. The RVing lifestyle is great for your spirit and for creating memorable life experiences but it can be a challenge to get enough exercise and eat right while traveling. Fortunately, we know how important it is and keep thinking of ways to help you in your efforts.

You can workout every day in our fitness room. You’ll find your choice of equipment and maybe even a friend to chat with while you get your heart rate up. If you don’t want to use our fitness room there are plenty of trails in the area. You can choose a short morning hike or a long one in early evening; whatever suits you.

There is no shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables in the area while you are here. There is nothing like a crisp salad made from ingredients that have been picked the same day. We are health minded in this part of the world and you’ll find markets and restaurants serving whatever kind of food you prefer. You can find raw foods, vegetarian fare, or light sandwiches, fish, and seafood. It’s very possible you could leave here feeling healthier than when you arrived. Now that’s a good thing to know.

If you are hungry for something in particular or if there is a dance class or sport you would like to try feel free to ask us about it. We will do our best to point you in the right direction. We want you to come back year after year so we plan to help you stay healthy and happy for a long, long time.

Tips and Pointers on Properly Caring for Your Air Matress

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camping air mattressDo you have an air mattress for your camping trips? Camping with friends and family members is one of the best ways to discover nature together and strengthen your bond. There are various kinds of mattresses that you can buy in the market today, and an air mattress is one of them. Air mattresses are light and are very convenient especially if you don’t want to carry heavy stuff while camping. However, just like all other mattresses, this type should also be well taken care of, so you can use it for a long time.

Bringing along an air mattress on your camping trip should be easy. To properly prepare your air mattress for a journey, you have to open the valves of the mattress first and roll it up to squeeze out the air inside. To make sure that there is no more excess air inside your mattress, close the valve and roll it up again. Once ¾ of the mattress is already rolled up, you can now unblock the opening. You can repeat these two easy steps until you think that there is no more air inside. Remember to pack the pad carefully to avoid your mattress from getting punctured by a sharp thing.

After arriving at your destination, your first task is to set up your camp. If you have an air mattress, it is a must to inspect the area first before setting up your pad. There might be sharp rocks or other materials that damage your mattress. And last but not the least, it is recommended to store your mattress in a cold, dry and dark place away from any sharp objects.

An air mattress is a good option for hikers and campers who cannot afford to carry heavy bags while on their adventure. Being aware of these simple care tips will let you keep away from any trouble while camping. With proper usage and storage, your air mattress can be used for many years to come.

A Checklist When Camping With Your Pet

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Pets at the campgroundOne of the best vacations is a camping trip with your friends and family; however, to make this trip even more enjoyable, bring along your family pet for your next camping adventure. Most pet owners consider their pets as family members, so it just makes sense to bring you pet with you on your next family vacation. If you leave your pet at home, you won’t feel completed, especially if your little buddy is always by your side.

You cannot take your pet on most vacations; however, a camping trip offers you the perfect opportunity to bring along your dog. If you decide to bring your pet on a camping trip, there are several things you must plan for to help ensure a worry-free camping experience. We have created a checklist of the items that you should remember when you decide to take a pet-friendly family vacation.

Your pet should have an identification tag that includes your phone number. This can help you locate your pet should you become separated.

Collar, harness and lead line should also be brought to keep your pet safe and secure at your campsite and on the trail. Opt for a reflective collar to help other campers see your pet in low light conditions.

A cable leash will allow your pet to have the freedom to explore while still being safe and secure at the campsite. Most campgrounds have rules that require all pets to remain on a leash. A 20 foot cable leash will give your pet freedom while following the campground rules.

The best pet owners pick up after their pets. This means you need to ensure that you carry a poop scoop and bags with you at all time.

You will also need to pack your pet’s food and water dish, toys, a pet first aid kit and food for your pet.

As you can see, there are many things that you need to remember when packing for your pet. This checklist will ensure you bring everything necessary to keep your pet comfortable and safe on your next camping trip.