Worth the price of admission. Only a few miles from the city. Tons of space and fresh air. Listen to the chirping and the cars driving by. A great spot to just sit and relax for a bit. Several picnic benches and a clean restroom are available for use. A hidden gem tucked in a Valley Center. read more

Lake Wohlford - A beautiful place to meditate - Lakes Near Me - Escondido, California

Accessibility: from my experience, this place is not accessible at all. The places I went were all dirt/mud. Maybe there is another side of the lake that has wheelchair accessibility but from my personal experience, no. Experience: I have been to this lake many times as I lived in Valley Center for years, and this place is beautiful but has an eerie feel to it. Because this lake is more secluded and there aren't too many visitors, honestly this place feels like somewhere you could visit and disappear at (I know, creepy right?). I've come across really mean, sketchy people around here that don't like visitors so honestly I do not recommend this place. The stars are beautiful at night because of less lights, but again, feels dangerous people-wise as well as animals like coyotes and mountain lions. read more

See all

Easy 3 miles hike along the water. Cool weather in early June. Saw several fishermen on the water. read more

See all

This restaurant has been here for ever. I think a new owner took over within the last couple years. It's located across the street from Lake Wohlford. It's a great little hole in the wall. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 AM to 2 PM. Closed on Mondays. On Thursday nights they open again at 4:00 PM for karaoke. They offer a limited dinner menu. The staff is friendly and service is quick. They have a large breakfast and lunch menu. Prices are reasonably and the portions are adequate. read more

See all

Lake Wohlford is known for its fishing and drinking water but it's also a place to hike and find an adventure or two. Parking is Free at the ranger station lot ( Right off Lake Wohlford Rd). From this lot you have access to two hiking trails ( The Osprey and the Kumeyaay trails). Osprey Trail - A small trail that is family friendly where you can walk to the orange buoys and back. Simple and Safe for all. Kumeyaay Trail - This is about 4.5 miles round trip if you hike it all the way down. I'm apprehensive to call this family friendly because there are plenty of areas for rattlesnake to hid during the summer. There's also a lot of small boulders and rocks to navigate. It's not too bad as my family did it, but those with bad knees might look to hike elsewhere. The Other Side - The only way to get to the other side of the Lake is to cut across through the swamp. You'll need to hike down the Kumeyaay Trail to the private property gate. Then you'll need bushwhack through the swamp to the other side...Be aware that you'll have to go through a forest of stinging nettle. Once there you can hike along the southern trails, but you'll have to hike along the busy room for the final 1.5 miles. - Side Diversion Across the street, east of the Lake Wohlford Cafe is a dirt lot and stairs leading to Castle Rock. read more

See all

We went up to fish at Lake Wohlford this weekend with friends and wanted to rent a couple boats. We got there right at 6 am since that is when the lake opens and you cannot reserve boats ahead of time. A nice ranger was there that guided us through the automated system (machine) to buy our lake permits and boat rental. Everyone was super nice and helpful from the ranger to the boat dock attendants. They warned us it was going to be windy and that we may want to just fish from the shore as no refunds were to be made. We still opted for a boat but it was nice that they warned us. We didn't catch anything but boats around us were coming in with their limits. Guess we need to go back to fishing school! We could not get our anchor up at the end of the day but the ranger came out in another boat and untied it from our boat and he tried to get it out. We were not charged for the lost anchor either. We had tied together with our friends boat but they never hassled us about it. We will definitely be back, it is such a short trip up to the lake from North County and it is clean and has ample outhouses scattered around lake. read more

Lake Wohlford - A beautiful day out on Lake Wohlford in January! Mid 70's and lots of sunshine. - Lakes Near Me - Escondido, California

I love our options of lakes in north county and this is one of them. They have areas for fishing, boating and hiking. Pretty quiet area compared to some more of the popular north county spots. I love this area though because its a bit out of the way but there is something about getting outside of society to be in nature and the lake. Across the street (walking distance) is even a cafe if you didn't pack a picnic lunch. I have never seen any of the areas dirty, its a piece of nature that I hope doesnt change. Its gorgeous out there. read more

See all

This is a nice and scenic Lake in Escondido. I came here with my son and his friend to fish. Kids do not need a fishing license but they need a lake permit. Adults will need to have also a lake permit and a fishing license valid in California to fish here. You can buy your lake permit at the machine by the Rangers office. The lake is stocked with catfish and other fish. You can fish for bass perch trout and other fish. The lake is very peaceful and it is not very crowded. Since you are in Escondido, it is hot so make sure that you bring some shade and chairs to be comfortable. There are also a few short hiking trails. You can also walk to the nearby café which is about five minutes away from the ranger station. Also watch out for the poison oak. read more

See all

A nice clean lake with friendly staff and rangers that actually check to see if you have a fishing permit. I paid for it, you better check it. I don't understand why the permit cashier is in the restaurant across the street but It's an old location so let time stand still. read more

3 lake works were about 50 feet away screaming at me "no dogs allowed!" Stayed right by the car didn't move a foot away from it. Stretched our legs for 1 minute (emotional support dog) and Left. Don't know why they need 3 people to stand in front of their store and yell at people with dogs. Rude. read more

Used to go here as a child, glad it's still available to the public. Thanks Rangers and public stewards! read more

Lake Wohlford - In front of Lake - Lakes Near Me - Escondido, California

It wad laid back and chill taking the boat out with the kids. They kept bringing it up after for a while. They can't wait to go back on the boat read more

Terrific local restaurant with a great breakfast menu good portions & not bad prices. I've tried many of the breakfast choices and lots of sandwiches as well as the signature delicious catfish but it's hard not to order the chicken fried steak sine it is so good. Owner is often there looking over the customer experience and it shows. read more

Amazing trout fishing, fun hiking, great boating day and your very own trailer park across the street! Seriously! A real live trailer park with toothless residents, meth cooking facilities and run down trailers. Back to the lake, the parking is easy and the fishing is fun. Bring the kids, make sure the dog is on a leash. read more

This is a great place to fly a drone! The rangers love it! Well, maybe not. But, still a great place to fly if you're a respectful pilot. Yep, it's a lake. Plants and animals and natural beauty and all that. read more

Great place to fish and staff were absolutely great Tyler was the best at helping me get out on the water and back in. I will be fishing there again. They could use a store on the premises for snacks and tackle. But otherwise a great experience. read more

Great fishing for trout when stocked, call wolhford cafe for dates, bass in spring holds some lonkers

Not happy. Been going to this lake my whole life , it's so depressing now. It is steadily going down hill for the last few years. It's not like it is under staff they just sit around . They could spend some time on the trail cutting them back they are over growing, it's been months since you could go there and get on the docks. The docks are one of the very few places to fish from since the whole Lakes is mostly covered in reeds . I'm guessing I'm complaining cause I spent my money , time , day, and I'm handicap and could not get to the water and no refunds on day permits to something I never got to do or even had a chance. It's a total bummer for me and my young son . Keep up the good work you park rangers, you're going to get all are parks shut down. read more

Great spot for fishing. I've been here a few times and the staff members are very nice and informative. Boat fishing is the way to go. Seems like catfish loves the chicken liver. read more

Lake Wohlford - Lakes Near Me - Escondido, California

See all

Fun lake to fish in, never a disappointment with catching catfish that loves biting nightcrawlers. Rangers are very nice, gives great instructions, and recommendations where to go to find the big ones. This lake has been my go to lake all throughout this past summer, and never left without a string full of catfish. Getting a boat is the way to go. read more