California · Camping

Escondido

Oct–May
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 1 h ago

Is Escondido open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Monterey Ranger District. It doesn't name Escondido, so check the source for the area it covers.

Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order with Exceptions
Agency closure covering Monterey Ranger District · Order 05-07-51-26-11 · USFS · Monterey Ranger District
Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions
Agency alert covering Los Padres National Forest · Order 05-07-00-26-05 · USFS · Los Padres National Forest
San Carpoforo Beach Prohibition of Overnight Camping and Campfires
Agency alert covering Monterey Ranger District · Order 05-07-51-26-03 · USFS · Monterey Ranger District
Santa Barbara Front Country Fire Use Restrictions
Agency alert covering Los Padres National Forest · Order 05-07-5406-01 · USFS · Los Padres National Forest

As of Nov 9, 8:05 PM PST · Source: USFS · Monterey Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

At 2,175 ft
Monterey Ranger DistrictLos Padres National Forest

Escondido Campground is a family-friendly Forest Service site in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest, about 30 miles from the town of Monterey. It sits in a grassy meadow surrounded by rock formations and sprawling oaks, and it's described as one of the best-kept secrets in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 72°F in April and 82°F in October, while July and August average highs near 96°F. That station sits about 870 feet lower than the campground, so temperatures here run cooler. The campground charges a fee, so plan on it when you book. Several trails start right around the camp. Lost Valley is just 0.1 mile away, and Arroyo Seco Trail and Rodeo Flat are each about 2 miles off. Memorial Park campground is roughly 2.3 miles away.

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Also worth it near here
- Lost ValleyHiking · Next doorPhoto: yargeritaville, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Junipero Serra PeakSummit · ~7 min drivePhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- CarrizoMountain biking · ~8 min drivePhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Arroyo SecoCanoeing · ~8 min drive
Best time to visit Escondido
Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
1. Jan
  63° / 34°
  12 wet
2. Feb
  64° / 36°
  11 wet
3. Mar
  68° / 38°
  10 wet
4. Apr
  72° / 39°
  6 wet
5. May
  80° / 43°
  3 wet
6. Jun
  89° / 47°
  1 wet
7. Jul
  96° / 50°
  0 wet
8. Aug
  96° / 50°
  0 wet
9. Sep
  92° / 48°
  1 wet
10. Oct
  82° / 43°
  3 wet
11. Nov
  70° / 37°
  7 wet
12. Dec
  62° / 33°
  11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pinnacles Nm, CA, 29.3 mi away at 1,307 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.