Adventure 16 Blog » Weekend Getaway: Car Camping at Pinezanita, near Julian, CA

By Eric Backous, Adventure 16 Outerwear Buyer

My girlfriend, Natalie, and I drove about 5 miles outside of Julian, CA to Pinezanita Campground. We were there for relaxation and a little hiking around the campground. The campground was very nice, and although it was really hot, we were surrounded by Green pine trees. It was a stark contrast to the landscape in Pacific Beach and San Diego. It reminded us of Washington. We ventured to Julian on our last day and tried some of the famous apple pie we’ve heard so much about. The camping was great, the weather was beautiful, and it was a great escape that was only about an hour away.

RECOMMENDED GEAR
Sleeping Bag: The North Face Beeline 900 down sleeping bag is a great bag for warm weather. It is a 35-degree bag, which is great in hot and dry climates. It also compresses small enough to fit in my sleeping pad’s stuff sack.

Sleeping Pad: Big Agnes Insulated Aircore pad is great because it is lightweight and slightly insulated. The insulation is nice because it keeps the air temp in the pad warmer at night when the air cools down. You can also adjust the amount of air inside for additional comfort.

Tent: Brand new Sierra Designs Anu 3 rental tent from A16 San Diego had enough room to sleep two comfortably with some gear. It got a little warm because the fly had very little venting, so we just took it off.

TIPS
Make sure to have plenty of ice. The beer got warm on the second day and the cheese started to melt. Bring lots of sunscreen and a hat, preferably with UPF protection. Drink lots of water, and have fun!

HIGHLIGHT OF TRIP
I really enjoyed the drive out after work on Friday the 13th. The landscape became very eerie as we drove through where the fires had burned in years past. It was a contrast of burned trees and new vegetation that was almost like looking at a living, breathing Dali painting.