AMPHICAR
San Diego Tips & References, 1 October 2003
A database of services, references, vendors, engine
machine shops, painters, body men; well, you get the idea, all related to
owning and repairing Amphicars in the San Diego region. Nothing fancy, just a
list of tips covering real experiences. Is there a Triumph mechanic who is
really good, is there a welding shop to avoid, who did your wheel alignment,
where did you buy your tires, have you used a Tijuana upholstery shop? The
good, the bad, and the ugly!
|
Category |
Location |
Reference |
* |
|
Amphicars |
Gordon
Imports Inc. 562-802-1608
(voice) |
The only
authoritative source for everything Amphi. Original parts, replacement parts,
service, advice and restoration. Get a copy of their inventory / price list. |
EP |
|
Bilge Pump |
West
Marine 630
Bay Blvd |
Near exact replacement for
original Amphi pump. (Not sure if in-stock at Gordon Imports at this time?)
Mounts upside down like original “old style” Amphi unit. Brass body. Hookup
and mounting almost identical. You need two additional fittings to thread
into inlet/outlets (1 elbow/1 straight). JABSCO Self-Priming Pump (Water
Puppy) Model # 18660-0121 (12V, 8Amp, 15A fuse, 6+ GPM) IMPORTANT! Buy the
NITRILE Impeller #6303-0003 (not included). It is oil resistant. The one
supplied is not, and it will seize in time. |
PR |
|
Body Shop |
Body
Shop Supplies, Inc. 7473
Broadway Len
McFadden |
DuPont paint, fiberglass,
epoxies, filler, abrasives, paint stripper. A bit grungy, but this is where
the body guys buy their supplies. |
EP |
|
Brakes & |
Brake
Pros |
I found a great brake guy
who works at 'Brake Pros' (previously called Brake Depot) in Pacific Beach.
His name is 'Angel' (talk directly to him only) and has done all the brakes
and suspension work on all our cars---and had a great time with the Amphicar.
He has developed shoes that are vastly superior to the original ones---they
work great first time out the water! He also did the whole suspension
(shocks/springs) and refers to a tire shop nearby for alignments. |
RR |
|
Chrome |
Anobrite |
Pulling
those fin trim strips is a pain. There's nothing holding them other than
glue. The big problem is when a piece of the glue breaks loose; you bend the
strip since the rest of the glue is still holding. I would recommend a custom
made grabbing device that can pinch an extended area along the lower edge of
the strip and lift the strip with a chain type hoist. That way you
practically eliminate the "bounce" when the glue breaks loose and
minimize the bending. It would probably help to heat the section of strip to
soften the glue first. When all else fails, I found a place in Los Angeles that
did an amazing job of perfectly straightening the bent strips and they
re-plated all seven pieces plus an extra one that I had around. They charged
about $400 for the whole deal and they came out looking perfect and original.
The original finish is called "bright dip anodizing" It's a
"not often done" and highly toxic type of anodizing. Most anodizers
won't do it today. I think the hubcaps cost me about $60 each to have done
but I'm not sure since it was part of a larger order. These guys had a $250
minimum charge so you don't want them to do one piece. Having them all done
though, I thought, was a pretty good deal. They're kind of a one-stop place
for all trim repairing. |
JF |
|
Coatings & |
Kel-Coatings
|
This
is a fine little shop for any powder coating needs. The guy loves Amphis and
has an eye for Amphi rim restoration via powder coating - any color and
texture. |
JE |
|
DMV |
El Cajon |
Have
heard of problems using other DMV offices; EC office had no problem
processing my paperwork. ·
Make an appointment at the CA DMV office; use their web site to set
it up. ·
When you get to the DMV office, go to their START desk right away
(don't stand in any START Desk line), tell them about the appointment, and be
SURE they give you a ticket that starts with the letter "A" (for
having an appointment, duh, but mistakes happen). Your wait time should be 15
minutes or so. Without an appointment, or if they accidentally give you a B
through who knows ticket, the wait will be two hours or so. ·
Be ready to pay in cash or personal check; they don't take bank
plastic. ·
CA has a provision for an amphibious vehicle class; they may need to
look it up, but it's there in the code. OTOH, the body style is a
"convertible" (little did they know). The DMV will issue you both
the land and water documents (at least you don't need to deal with two
different bureaucracies). ·
CA has more darn little costs than closing a mortgage; grin &
pay. IIRC, my fees were around $400 total. |
EP |
|
Engine |
Speed
Specialties |
I
had a Spitfire engine rebuilt (starting in 7/8/02) by Speed Specialties on El
Cajon Blvd., about four blocks East of Fairmont. They're very, very slow, but another local Spitfire friend
recommended them when I purchased his engine that they had recently rebuilt
and balanced (complete job ~$2000). It looked like they did a very nice job
with the motor, but I wanted additional performance modifications made, so I
took it back. I now have some time on the engine, and it runs strong &
smooth; I'm very happy with their work. |
JM |
|
Engine |
Tolley’s Foreign Car Service |
Currently semi-retired.
Had entire overhaul in 1991. (13K miles) Engine runs perfectly to this day.
Have never even turned a screw on the carb! Maintains freeway speeds easily.
No modifications made. All original parts from Gordon Imports. He still works
on a special appt. basis. Mention my name (Paul Riesland), and “Amphicar” to
establish rapport. He worked on Amphis at the dealer when new!!! |
PR |
|
Junkyards of California |
http://www.junkyards.com/directory2/index.html |
A
list of junkyards and recyclers. Start national and drill down to your local
California town. |
EP |
|
Tools |
Harbor Freight Salvage |
Okay,
not the place to buy tools you need to make a living, but fantastic bargains
on low & mid quality Chinese tools. Get all those vital, but low use
gadgets that you know you need. |
EP |
|
Tools |
Pat's Tools |
A
dumpy hole-in-the-wall, attractive to bikers. That said, they have new &
used tools for every craft imaginable. Stuff for machinists, truck mechanics,
carpenters, masons, welders, etc. Grab a pry bar, a couple of sockets, some chisels;
all at low cost. |
EP |
|
Transmission |
Sahli’s Exotic Autos |
15 years experience in
Amphi transmissions; supplier to Gordon Imports. |
TS |
|
Triumph |
El Cajon ( |
Randy Zoller is a Triumph
specialist. I [JM] don't know him personally or the quality of his work or
anything else, but he's active in the local Triumph car club (but I am not,
which is why I don't know more!) |
EP |
|
Upholstery |
Jim's Auto Upholstery |
This
is job shop that seems to do everything for anyone. Lots of classy cars in
the lot. Some of the workers are craftsmen, some just basic laborers. Talk to
the owner or foreman beforehand to get the craftsmen. I supplied my own
upholstery kit and they did a great install for me. I'm sure they could start
from scratch as well and still do a fine job. |
JE |
|
Upholstery |
Concours
Interiors rpirics@socal.rr.com |
I
share space with Theo Sahli and do all of his interior and restoration work.
I have done Theo’s own Amphi, plus 4 others in the past 2 ½ years. I do all
interior parts, including seat reconstruction, like-original door panels,
convertible tops and boot covers, carpeting and rubber matting. |
TS |
|
Upholstery |
Mr. Car Auto Upholstery |
Excellent work. Precise
stitching. They matched my upholstery using photos, sketches, some patterns.
(I had no original interior). Talk to owner. They also do or install
convertible tops. Willing to let you install your own snaps after top has a
chance to stabilize. All work can be done WITHOUT car being present. Very
reasonable prices at the time (1992) Entire interior: seats, all side panels,
map pockets ($500.00) My interior still looks new. He does the subcontracting
work for the local Cadillac dealer. High quality. |
PR |
|
Welding |
David K. |
I
recently had a piece that was chipped off the aluminum tunnel side of the
transmission re-welded by an outfit here in Orange, California, and they only
charged me $30. I am not sure if they would do it again or whether they just
did me a favor, but they were very nice. |
EH |
Unverified & Unknown
The
following list is based on suggestions and referrals by various local car-club
enthusiasts and other non-Amphi owners. This info was typically generated by
asking a car buff something like “Nice car; where did you get your chrome
plating done?”
|
Category |
Location |
Reference |
* |
|
Bearings |
King
Bearing Inc. 619-236-1411 |
|
EP |
|
Body Shop |
Body
Shop Supplies, Inc. 7473
Broadway Len
McFadden |
Claimed that they were
looking into setting up a “cold” chrome plating technique, now that Master
appears to have closed. Will check later. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
American
Muscle Cars |
To Be Investigated. They
did some fine body & painting on a friend’s Chevelle; don’t know what
they might think of an Amphi. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
Carl
Mayfield |
|
EP |
|
Body Work |
Elite
Autobody & Painting |
General
Body & Painting, but recommended by 2 antique car owners. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
Jesse
Mendez |
General
Body & Painting, but recommended by 2 antique & sports car owners. |
EP |
|
Body Work |
Ron
Batson |
|
EP |
|
Chrome |
Advanced
Finishing 1300
N Johnson Ave., #102 |
|
EP |
|
Chrome |
American
Metal Processing 390
Front St. El
Cajon, CA 92020-4206 |
|
EP |
|
Clutch |
Southland
Clutch 101 East 18th Street National City, CA 91950 619-477-2105 |
|
EP |
|
Coatings & |
Powder
Coating & Sandblasting 619-297-3705 |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Dennis
Bean 1866
Friendship Dr. Suite A El
Cajon, CA. 92020-1115 619-449-1736 |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Performance
Supply |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Carquest
(Mike Weaver) |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Don's
Speed Center Inc. |
|
EP |
|
Engine |
Egge
Machine Company 310-945-3419 |
Huge
engine rebuilding operation |
EP |
|
Engine |
Motorwerks |
Big
engine rebuilding operation |
EP |
|
General British Auto Work |
British
Heritage Motorsports |
Randy
is the only mechanic that I allow to work on my car. He has done extensive
repairs, from rebuilding the transmission to adding a complete interior.
Heritage can work on any British car from MG to Rolls Royce. Concourse and
race preparation done to perfection. Always available for great advice and
emergency repairs. Also
highly recommended by Triumph owners. |
EP |
|
General British Auto Work |
British
Parts Depot Email:
Britpart “AT” pacbell.net |
I
have been using this shop for over 2 years now. It is by far the most in
depth service I have ever received. They have worked on all of my British
cars, 76 Midget, 59 Morris Minor, 72 MGB. The owner and mechanic is extremely
helpful in providing extensive information on any subject in dealing with the
care and maintenance, and upgrading of my vehicles. I have found their work
to be very complete and through. I know of no British garage that can even
come close to this one. I would recommend them to anyone. |
EP |
|
General British Auto Work |
Harloff |
There
is always an MG or two (or three) there receiving tender, loving care! |
EP |
|
General German Auto Work |
Autohaus
Stebel |
“Mercedes?
Borgward? Porsche? Ja, I fix!” |
EP |
|
Glass, |
Bob
Oliver 619-420-7999 |
|
EP |
|
Mechanic |
? |
Ed
Myers knows an Amphi-friendly wizard mechanic. |
EM |
|
Painting, |
Alex
Olivera Suite
104-504 |
|
EP |
|
Painting, |
Neala's
(at your location) |
|
EP |
|
Parts |
Broadway
Auto Electric 91945-1825 |
Generators,
Starters, Regulators |
EP |
|
Parts |
Meets
Early Auto Parts 29885
Second Street Lake
Elsinore, CA. Tel
(909) 674-5171 |
|
EP |
|
Parts |
NAPA
Superstore Convoy
Court San
Diego, CA |
NAPA's
biggest San Diego stocking location. They had the serrated U-joint bolt tool! |
EP |
|
Parts |
Old
Cars and Parts |
|
EP |
|
Parts, |
A.P.T. 595
Iowa Avenue, Unit C 909-686-0260 |
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
Equality
Plating 8172
Center St. La
Mesa, CA 91942-2914 619-464-1515 |
Recommended
by several car-show enthusiasts. |
EP |
|
Plating, |
Keystone
Automotive Plating San
Diego, CA 619-232-7585
|
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
Lemon
Grove Plating 91950-4297 |
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
Master Plating San Diego, CA 92113 |
Several
recommendations. I have seen their work & it looks nice, but they may
have closed down due to environmental problems |
EP |
|
Plating, |
Precision
Plating 1488
Pioneer Way, #11 El
Cajon, CA 92020-1633 |
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
San
Diego Metal Finishing 8775
Olive Lane, #1 Santee,
CA 92071-4166 |
|
EP |
|
Plating, |
Specialized
Processing 581
S Marshall Ave. El
Cajon, CA 92020-4293 |
|
EP |
|
Radiators |
Kirk's
Radiator |
Been
there >30 years. |
EP |
|
Suspension |
National
Spring Co. Inc. |
|
EP |
|
Transmission |
Donald Wang DRW
Transmission Specialties |
|
EP |
|
Welding & |
True-line |
|
EP |
Cruise Reviews
An attempt to identify and review every local swimmin’ hole.
County Lakes
Conditions 619-465-3474
Weather Forecast
(National Weather Service) 619-289-1212
Beach and Weather
Conditions (San Diego Lifeguard Service) 619-221-8884
|
Name Salt / Fresh |
Location |
Review |
* |
|
Agua Hedionda Lagoon |
Carlsbad |
EP |
|
|
Anaheim |
Tustin & Miraloma |
Open
when Santa Ana River Lake is closed. Launch fee is $8 ($18 for fishing). Two
little islands in the lake. |
EH |
|
Big Bear |
Big Bear Marina |
Marina & snack services. Launch ramp fee is
$10. Lake elevation is 6,750’! 909-866-3218 |
EP |
|
Big Bear |
East Public Launch Ramp |
Off
Ca 38, immediately West of Stanfield Cutoff bridge. Fee unknown. Lake
elevation is 6,750’! Open April 1 through November 30. |
EP |
|
Big Bear |
Holloway’s Marina (South Shore, Metcalf Bay) |
Marina
& RV park with boat & jet-ski rentals, lake cruises & private
launch ramp. Lake elevation is 6,750’! |
EP |
|
Big Bear |
West Public Launch Ramp |
Off
CA 38, about 2 miles East of the dam. Fee unknown. Lake elevation is 6,750’!
Open April 1 through November 30. http://www.bigbearinfo.com |
EP |
|
Crystal |
Yermo |
Crystal
Lake Estates is a PRIVATE lake of about 50 acres surrounded by double-wide
mobile homes out in the desert. My neighbor owns a vacation home there. Use
is by invitation only |
EH |
|
Cuyamaca |
Sunrise Highway |
EP |
|
|
El Capitan |
Lakeside |
This
is a nice long lake. When full, it stretches over five miles long. Makes for
a nice full Amphicar’ing day! You approach the lake from the South, passing
over a very steep grade (you literally climb over the edge of the dam.) From
the ramp end, you head north until you see the other end. You are usually
going with the wind. It is not advisable to make any landings at the far East
end, as this is the Barona Indian Reservation land. Heading back, especially
in late afternoon, there can be pretty good winds. With top and windows up
it’s blast to go crashing through the waves in this direction. During summer
it’s especially refreshing; cools the car down considerably. Most of the lake
has steep side canyons and there are not really any exits other than the
launch ramp, but the mountain views are great. There are the occasional
fishermen in various alcoves. Since the lake is long and narrow, it is
advisable to watch one’s rearview mirrors; crafts sometimes speed by you. At
this writing (Feb 2003) the lake is very low and closed to boating. When the
level returns this is one great place to go. Also, there is an excellent
photo op spot a short distance before you arrive at the ramp. You are high up
and can get nice panorama, zoom, or action shots of your car if you like. http://www.sannet.gov/water/recreation/elcap.shtml |
EP PR |
|
Henshaw |
Lake Henshaw |
http://www.lakehenshawca.com/index.html
http://www.lakehenshawca.com/tariffs/index.htm |
EP |
|
Hodges |
San Diego |
My
favorite local lake. Although there are no decent places along your voyage to
go ashore (possible for an emergency, but frowned upon by rangers) it can be
the most enjoyable. The best time is definitely BEFORE 11:00am. After that
the winds kick up and one could get wet! It is so nice because you can
meander through canyons, go around hills, etc. The lake is pretty large. On
glass-calm water I was able to go real fast! Impressed my passengers (me
too!). Things
that I avoid: Don't get too close, or go fast, past any fishermen in ANY
lake. They don't think the Amphicar is so cute. I go by real slow from a
distance, give a brief wave (some don't wave back) and keep moving. It also
helps avoid wrapping their line around your props. I know a prize-winning
sport fisherman from work. He is big-time in the sport. He likes the Amphicar
a lot, but says the other guys generally don't. He has defended us many
times. They seem to think that the cars are gross polluters with lots of
bilge oil. I told him that, for the most part, they are very clean and well
maintained. (Everyone listening?) As long as we keep our distance and speed
down, there shouldn't be a problem. CURRENTLY CLOSED (Low water) http://www.sannet.gov/water/recreation/hodges.shtml |
PR |
|
Irvine |
Irvine |
I
like Irvine Lake, but the launch is dirt and their entry fees are erratic;
sometimes I get in for free, and other times they charge me per person (it
cost me $29 once to get in!). |
EH |
|
Jennings |
Lakeside |
Boating
on weekends only. Further information regarding hours, hour changes,
closures, etc. may be obtained by calling the Helix Water District at
619-466-0585. http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/camping/lake_jennings/lake_jennings.html http://www.hwd.com/reserv/index.htm http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/services/fishing.html#jennings |
EP |
|
La Jolla |
San Diego |
This
is a beach launch into the surf!!! Calmer than most area beaches so there are
days when it is quite flat and an easy launch and return. A little wave
action is fun, both going out and coming in. However, the area is a preserve
so all you can do is go straight out for a quarter mile and then parallel the
beach. |
EP |
|
Miramar |
San Diego |
Home
of the annual San Diego Amphicar Swim-In! |
JE |
|
Miramar |
San Diego |
I
will NEVER go down a ramp for a launch (high or low speed) without checking
first. I was on Lake Miramar years ago. All went well. Two days later, the
local news station wanted to do a spot on my car. Besides them rushing me
(which led to a torn convertible top), they wanted to film a high-speed dive.
Well, what could go wrong? I was just there two days before and the ramp was
fine? I did the dive, and caved in the hull under my engine about 4 inches!!!
Apparently, the lake operators had lowered the lake level by 12 feet since I
had been there. The underwater curb (found on most ramps!) that stops boat
trailers from rolling into the drink too far, was just below the surface. The
Amphi rolled over this and came down hard on the bulbous hull portion just
missing the props. I didn't know yet that I had done that. Then, (you thought
this was over?), the film crew wanted to film an exit. I proceeded to exit
the water and had a head-on collision with that curb so hard, that the front
suspension broke a chunk of the concrete away. (Yeah! Amphicar!) The hull
rang like a bell and hurled me into the windshield. All that was damaged on
the car was the grease fitting on the tie rod end. Nevertheless, I had
learned something new about ramps. http://www.sannet.gov/water/recreation/miramar.shtml |
PR |
|
Mission Bay |
Dana Landing 1268 A3 |
|
EP |
|
Mission Bay |
De Anza Cove |
|
EP |
|
Mission Bay |
San Juan Cove |
|
EP |
|
Mission Bay |
Ski Beach |
|
EP |
|
Mission Bay |
South Shores |
Launch
hours may be restricted. |
EP |
|
Morena |
Campo |
Call
619-478-5473 for up-to-date recorded info. http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/camping/lake_morena/lake_morena.html |
EP |
|
Murray |
San Diego |
I
lived up the street from Lake Murray as a kid from 1963 on. It is a nice lake
with many branches or “fingers”. You get good variety in a small space, being
that the lake is not one of the larger local lakes. The winds don’t usually
kick up too high there. Sometimes the water gets real calm in the late afternoons.
There is a nice ramp with nearby picnic grounds, restrooms, bait shop, and
snack bar. Access is easy; right off the I-8 at the Lake Murray Blvd/70th
street exit. There is a road that goes almost all the way around. This is
accessible by bicycle, pedestrian, roller-skates, etc. Back in the ‘60’s you
were allowed to drive this road by car, but it’s now blocked off. This lake
has lots of land-able shore, but beach landings are not permitted. Best to
keep some distance away and speeds down when passing fisherman in their
boats. Nice centrally located lake. |
EP |
|
Otay (Lower) |
Chula Vista |
This
is an excellent LARGE lake. It is very user friendly, with a nice wide
multi-lane launch ramp. As you enter the water if you veer right, you can
head towards the dam. This is nice, and they allow you to get pretty close.
The lake extends for miles in several branches. Vast expanses and mild
breezes make for a real nice Amphiventure! This lake offers nice picnic
grounds, good vistas, and good photo spots. The Olympic training facility is
located nearby. There are quite a few places one could land and go ashore. (I
don’t know how strict they are about shore landings, as I have never done one
there.) The beauty of this lake is its interesting location. You can take
Otay Lakes Road heading East and end up at Highway 94 in Jamul. This is a
beautiful scenic route and perfect for an Amphicar drive. For East County
residents, this is a good choice. Or, the conventional route that goes West
to the 805 freeway. This lake is usually not very crowded. One can exit the
water and take care of Amphi-duties: drying, primping, bilge plug removal,
etc. with ease. This is my personal favorite second only to Lake Hodges. |
EP |
|
Poway |
Poway |
EP |
|
|
Puddingstone |
San Dimas |
This
is quite nice. Concrete boat ramps, shaded convenient picnic areas, cheap
($6.00) launch fee per vehicle. |
EH |
|
Salton Sea |
Bombay Beach |
Bombay
Beach Marina |
EP |
|
Salton Sea |
Desert Shores |
Desert
Shores Marina |
EP |
|
Salton Sea |
Niland |
Red
Hill Marina |
EP |
|
Salton Sea |
Salton City |
West
Shores Boat Launching Facility |
EP |
|
Salton Sea |
Salton Sea Beach |
Salton
Sea Beach Marina |
EP |
|
Salton Sea |
Salton |
Salton
Sea State Recreation Area |
EP |
|
San Diego Bay |
Bayfront Park |
The
City of Chula Vista operates Bayfront Park, with a public launch ramp, fee unknown.
This site is immediately next to the huge, very up-scale, private Chula Vista
Marina (550 Marina Parkway, 619-691-1860). |
EP |
|
San Diego Bay |
Glorietta Bay Park |
Glorietta
Bay Marina, 619-435-5203. |
EP |
|
San Diego Bay |
Old General Dynamics |
The
GD Convair plant is closed, the 100’ wide concrete ramp not maintained,
private property at top of ramp, locked gate land access. Historic launch
site for WWII Catalina flying boats. Emergency use only; ‘tis better to
trespass than sink. |
EP |
|
San Diego Bay |
Pepper Park |
Fee unknown. |
EP |
|
San Diego Bay |
Seaport Village |
Not
a launch site, but I had to include this site. The San Diego Seal Tours,
619-298-8687, offers a $24, two-hour bay tour ride on Hydra-Terra amphibians
(really ugly). Might be fun to just follow their route! http://www.historictours.com/seals/ |
EP |
|
San Diego Bay |
Shelter Island |
Easy
access to the Harbor, on Bay side of Shelter Island, facing North Island. This
is in the heart of San Diego’s yacht clubs. Usually the harbor is calm with a
few waves from big boat wakes. Lots to see including subs, aircraft carriers,
and the Star of India. (Be aware of new security zones near naval vessels,
bridge pylons and piers!) Looking at the Coronado Bridge from below is quite
a sight! The entrance to the ramp is not well marked so it is easy to miss.
The Harbor has few beaches and ramps, so emergency landing places may be hard
to find. Located next to Shelter Cove Marina, 2240 Shelter Island Drive,
619-224-2471 |
EP |
|
San Diego Bay |
USCG Station |
Not public, but a
well-maintained concrete ramp with gated access to Harbor Drive. If you’re in
trouble, use the ramp & explain later. |
EP |
|
San Vicente |
Lakeside |
Located
in the foothills off Highway 67, Lake San Vicente is a medium to large size
lake complete with an island in the center. Caution: VERY steep hill before
lake entrance, so be sure your brakes work perfect before you attempt
entry/exit. Check concession stand for seasonal boating activity -some days
of the week are for water skiing only, other days all boaters are welcome. A
$5 launch permit is required, as is the typical boating safety gear and
registration. No speed limit except near launch ramp, so waves are sometimes
pretty terrific (especially on the far side of the island). Beach landing is
permitted and glorious, as are the facilities for picnicking/BBQ's. San
Vicente is a large lake to explore with many cul-de-sacs and remote alcoves.
Fishing is also rumored to be good. This lake does not have the Amphi fan
fair of other lakes due to the launch ramp configuration and the serious
nature of the typical boater/fisherman, but the Rangers like Amphi. It is
well worth the adventure to see if you can make it all the way around the
island. http://www.sannet.gov/water/recreation/vicente.shtml |
JE |
|
Santa Ana River Lake |
Tustin & La Palma
Drives (near junction of 55 & 91 Freeways) |
Open
when Anaheim Lake is closed. Launch fee is $8 ($18 for fishing). Slightly
bumpy concrete ramp. Picnic tables nearby. It's a decent size, larger than
some I've been in. The day we went, crowds were light and we had plenty of room
to maneuver and play. There's nothing to see though. It's just a big hole in
the ground filled with water. It's a fisherman's lake; I'm sure most who go
there don’t have scenery on their minds. It's freeway-close, and easy to get
in and out. |
EH JZ |
|
Silverwood |
Hesperia |
The
setting is very pretty, with pine trees surrounding the lake and a distant
view of snow capped mountain peaks. There is a multi-lane, smooth concrete
launch ramp, as well as picnic areas, camping, and sandy beaches. The
weather was brisk (as was to be expected in this mountain area), with the
water choppy due to the winds. This made for some interesting splashy
excursions in the lake. |
EH |
|
Sutherland |
Ramona |
EP |
|
|
Wohlford |
Escondido |
Nice
lake, but out of the way compared to others in the area. Friendly rangers who
helped during a TV filming. I was there when a squall whipped up 2 foot
waves. http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/visitors/lakes/wohlford/index.html |
EP |
*
Contributors:
|
EH |
Ed
Howard |
edsonh2000 “AT” yahoo.com |
|
EM |
Ed
Myers |
LiverPhd “AT” aol.com |
|
EP |
Ed
Price |
edprice “AT” cox.net |
|
JE |
John
Edelstein |
amphipoda “AT” yahoo.com |
|
JF |
Jim
Freise |
jfriese “AT” mindspring.com |
|
JM |
Jeff
McNeal |
spitfire “AT” ohms.com |
|
JZ |
Jim
Zuliani |
JimZ “AT” esystem.com |
|
PR |
Paul
Riesland |
|
|
RR |
Rick
Rosiejka |
|
|
SR |
Steve
Reich |
Sdreich “AT pacbell.net |
|
TS |
Theo
Sahli |
Theosauto “AT” aol.com |
Swimming Hole
Photos
Lake Murray, June 2003
San Diego
Amphibians
Amphipoda
Dick
Brunner
Hugh
Gordon
Ed
Myers
Ed
Price
Dave
Punaro
Steve
Reich
Paul
Riesland
Rick
Rosiejka
Patrick
Sullivan
Allan
Woodcock
Jim
Zuliani