By Paul Lebowitz

Prefer a dash of salt with your San Diego County camping? If you own an RV, the campground at Silver Strand State Beach should fit the bill. Situated on the spit of brilliant white sand that connects beautiful Coronado Island to Imperial Beach, this is one campground that is nearly surrounded by saltwater.

Nothing more than an asphalt parking lot to some, just look at the location! Your rig is parked steps from the Pacific Ocean. San Diego Bay waits just a mere couple of hundred yards to the east, leaving anglers with a conundrum. Which to fish?

The Silver Strand surf yields perch, corbina and other croakers, halibut, sharks, and rays. Kayak anglers comfortable challenging the waves can hit the nearby flats for sand bass, or paddle south to the Imperial Beach kelp. For a sure bet target the spotted bay bass of southern San Diego Bay with small swimbaits and grubs.    

The 136 RV-only campsites at Silver Strand State Beach are currently available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beginning in February, campers will be able to reserve their spots up to six months in advance. Amenities include a restroom with outdoor showers, drinking water, a nearby bike path and bird watching, and miles of beautiful beach. For more information, including fees and special regulations, visit the California State Parks website at www.parks.ca.gov.

BAY BLUE – Southern San Diego Bay is just a few hundred feet east of the RV campground at Silver Strand State Beach. That’s close enough to carry or wheel over a fishing kayak. Once on the water, casting small swimbaits or plastic grubs for the resident spotted bay bass is the closest thing to a sure bet.

SLEEP STEPS FROM THE OCEAN ON THE SILVER STRAND – RV campers can park their rigs right next to the brilliant white sands of Silver Strand State Beach. Nearly surrounded by saltwater, the campground is located on the long spit of sand that connects Coronado Island to Imperial Beach.

SURF PERCH – Room to surf cast is rarely a problem at miles-long Silver Strand State Beach. Possible targets include corbina and other croakers, halibut, sharks and rays, and barred surf perch like this one taken on a piece of Berkley Gulp Sandworm.