New to San Diego

Just moved here from the Sacramento area and would like to get some recommendations on trusted shops, good camping areas, and maybe even some light trails. I am aware that a lot of land has been closed during fire season but would still be nice to know. I’m in the Bay park/Clairemont area if that helps as far as shops go.
Also ISO of some wheel spacers SpyderTrax or Bora. Thanks dudes!

 

Welcome to SD!

For beach camping spots, silver strand and carlsbad are decent.

If you want to venture out to east county here's some good close camping spots pinned on the map:



When it comes to a solid auto shop, "Sams Quality Auto Care" aka "Supreme Auto Care" in el cajon. Those guys do great work for a fair price. I take my truck to them if I need something major done.

As far as light trials, just off the top of my head,

Doghouse Junction at Otay mountain
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NUEYd2FWBzHzWDDL6
Can be a bit sketchy going up the west side one lane road.

https://youtu.be/Gl50nBbJ6_M


Once you get to the top, there's crap load of fun trails everywhere.


Proctor valley road is another fun one. Very very easy-going, but very scenic.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qTmr9tdfkNQosACT8


There's a crap load of spots the further you head out east. There are accessible access roads all over the county. I'm sure someone from the area will chime in with some better trails.

Enjoy SD

Edit: try this thread for local parts
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/san-diego-yard-sale.206592/

 

This is awesome thanks a lot!

 

We frequent the Otay trails , its just happens to be the closest to us. There are lots of trails like @theolee mentioned. You'll find border patrol out there almost every time you go but they usually dont bother off roaders unless youre doing something stupid. Most of the trails are easy fire roads but theres quite a few off shoots where it gets a bit more tricky (fun). Clairemont isnt too far from otay but i wouldnt say its close. Our shop is in chula vista, we only do tacomas and tacoma parts. we manufacture some stuff but we have access to many other manufacturers and can get you basically anything.
Welcome to SD!

 

First time I went up there I went down the back side to Donovan thinking it would open up to a main street, it was gated off lol. I realized you have to go around to a steep drop off that leads to the street or through that rock bed. I learned a lot about how much my 2wd could handle that day and made it out clean.

I'll have to come check out your shop sometime

 

What is the name of your shop?

 

great posts above. i'd like to throw in another shop rec, The Truck Shop in Miramar. Have had them do quite a bit of work on the truck and all of it is top notch.

 

Wow 5 stars with 186 good reviews. Going here Forsure. Thankyou!

 

For off road specific shops for tacomas you can't go wrong with

tubworks (https://www.customtubeworks.com/)

JD fab (https://jdfabrication.com/)

Truck shop: (http://sdtruckshop.com/)

As far as trails+camping, you can do the ones people have mention but honestly I wouldn't waste time and gas when you can just drive a bit more to:

ocotillo wells OHV park (http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1217),

superstition (https://www.google.com/maps/place/S...8ae2588dd53a0!8m2!3d32.9374049!4d-115.8095268, )

Anza borrego (either at split mountain road, or west in the hills with spots like pinyon canyon https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/pinyon-canyon-trail )

It's probably hundreds of square miles out there of all things (sand, woops, trails, rock crawling...) and it's desert season.

If you don't want to use the truck much at all then sure mt laguna , cuyamaca are some camping spots.

 

We just hit this spot in temecula last week. (Called: The Preserve) Super awesome spot. The guy bought some sweet land off of a dying old lady and turned it into 7 spot camping area. It's right off the side of Palomar mountain and filled with 4x4 trails (easy/expert), hiking, fire pits and beautiful scenery. Reasonable price and definitely worth wasting your time and gas. I highly recommend it dude.

Check it out here:

The Preserve
39415 High Point Rd, Aguanga, CA 92536
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bQs9RYTym98daghp8


https://youtu.be/fdcMyARx_vM

 

Interesting

 

Welcome!

 

Very