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Great Beginnings
It turns out that 1968 was a great year to start Pinezanita RV Park and Campground because thousands of Southern Californians were flocking to the California State and Federal Parks causing an overflow to be turned away. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, five miles south, Paso Picacho State Park and Green Valley Falls Park were turning away campers in increasing numbers because they had begun taking phone reservations. The State Parks were so glad to know that Pinezanita was opening and they immediately began referring that bountiful blessing of overflow campers to her campground as an alternative location. Needless to say, from the very first day of opening, Pinezanita Trailer Ranch was an instant success! |
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Pinezanita Pond Winter Wonderland
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Pinezanita Fishing Pond
In 1955 my parents, Alfred "Red" and Christine Stanley Jr., bought the property that Pinezanita is on today. There was no electricity and no water. My mom was not real excited about having a large pond on the property because she didn't swim. With four boys, she knew that pond would be a real problem. I was the only one that knew how to swim besides my dad.
The pond on the property dates from the days when Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers were building soil conservation dams. Since mom didn't swim, the rule whenever we were on the property was, "Don't go down to the pond! And no throwing into the pond!" Well, that is an impossible rule for children to follow. And there were several spankings and lots of yelling when we disobeyed during those weekends. Mom still has rules for the pond! Obey them or you might hear some yelling!
The pond covers about an acre and a half and is surrounded by trees. The color of the water is red like the clay soil that is rich in iron. The color has been greenish-red at times, but on the whole it is muddy colored and never clear. The pond has never dried up because it is fed by an underground spring. The level has gone down during drought years, but there has always been water in it. Several prime tent camping sites overlook the pond. Fishing is permitted with a small fee and you can catch catfish or blue gill that have been stocked regularly. |
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