Major city · United States
CampoCampo, California
Skip as a base; visit for the railway museum and PCT start, then leave. Half a day is enough.
Campo is a small border town in inland San Diego County, best known as the southern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail and home to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. The town has a handful of sights but no lodging or dining options beyond basics. Most visitors stop for a few hours on the way to or from Julian or Borrego Springs.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold and wet)
- Airport
- SAN
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Campo911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Campo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSAN San Diego International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive; no direct public transport).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SAN San Diego International Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive; no direct public transport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Mar (7 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Campo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. No public transport within town. Parking is free at all sights.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
Drive east on CA-94, then north on CA-79; about 30 min
Apple pie and gold-rush history.
Door to door: 1 h
Drive north on CA-94, then west on I-8 and north on CA-79; about 1 h
Desert wildflowers and metal sculptures.
Door to door: 30 min
Drive west on CA-94; about 30 min
Largest city in inland San Diego County.
Door to door: 35 min
Drive west on CA-94; about 35 min
Walkable village with shops and restaurants.
Ramona
goDoor to door: 50 min
Drive north on CA-94, then west on I-8 and north on CA-67; about 50 min
Wine tasting and farm stands.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
No lodging in Campo
Nearest motels in Pine Valley (15 min) or El Cajon (30 min).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $0 (day trip)
- Mid
- $0 (day trip)
- High
- $0 (day trip)
Trip budget
| No lodging in Campo1 × 1 night × US$0 | US$0 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$5 | US$5 |
| Trip total≈ US$5 per person per day, bed included | US$5 |
Day trip only.
2026 estimate in USD. Day trip only; no accommodation.
Prices of common things
| Pacific Southwest Railway Museum entryWeekends only. | $10–15 (check) |
| Gaskill Brother Stone Store Museum entry | Free (check) |
| Motor Transport Museum entry | Free (check) |
| Lake Morena County Park day use | $5 (check) |
| Gas (fill up before Campo) | About $4.50/gal (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas stations in Campo; fill up in El Cajon or Pine Valley.
- Museum hours are limited to weekends only.
- Cell service can be spotty; download maps offline.
- Border patrol checkpoints are common on the highways.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CampoCampo, California
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest consulates in San Diego (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- San Diego Airport → Campo (car): About 1 h 15 min, $0 tolls
- El Cajon → Campo (car): About 30 min, no tolls
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Campo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold and wet) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Gaskill Brother Stone Store Museum, Lake Morena County Park, Motor Transport Museum.
- Eat pages for the few restaurants in Campo (check).
- Walking cluster with rescue anchor: Campo town centre.
Sources
Ask about Campo
Loading…
Was this useful?