Looking forward to doing some flying in the San Diego/Carlsbad, CA area and I'm looking for some area grass or dirt strips. I've been on Shortfield.com and looking around the area of CRQ (Carlsbad, McLellan) don't really see much. If anyone has some local knowledge of some good strips it would be appreciated.

Lake Wohlford is east of Carlsbad. Not really a dirt strip, but patches of old, broken pavement last time I was there. There's a diner at the bottom of the hill. Here's an old pix:

Forgot about Ocotillo Wells. Its a dry lakebed between Julian VOR and Salton Sea. There used to be a Mex place on the edge, by the road, but I'm not sure if it's still there.

Ocotillo wells airstrip L90 and Salton Sea KSAS are two strips I know of near San Diego. Not much to do there but it's fun flying in that area, especially late fall through early spring.

A little further north of there is an area I'm very familiar with and there are a lot of good off airport places, between Yucca Valley L90 and Apple Valley KAPV. That area has BLM dry lakebeds, sand dunes and sandy washes that are really fun. Use caution and check boundaries though, the marines at 29 palms did a land grab recently and reduced the area that is open for recreation. http://www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff/G5 ... on-Valley/

there might be some good flying spots between Ocotillo Wells and the border but I haven't explored down there.

I second Wolford, great spot. Make sure to walk down to the restaurant for breakfast or lunch. Dirt road north side mid field. It is ok Scott. Nice people. If you want to get out by Palm Springs get a hold of zenithguy aka Walt. He has a 850' dirt/sand strip.
Cheers...Rob

Agua Caliente is paved but it's a short walk to the springs if you want a soak or a short hike in the hills. It's a county park and there are facilities.

I second Wolford, great spot. Make sure to walk down to the restaurant for breakfast or lunch. Dirt road north side mid field. It is ok Scott. Nice people. If you want to get out by Palm Springs get a hold of zenithguy aka Walt. He has a 850' dirt/sand strip.
Cheers...Rob

Hey! it's 1,000 ft. maybe a little less, but you Maule guys could land on the taxi way anyways……here's Driving Miss Daisy, there's Giant Rock and others up here also.



And another Maule coming in……

Thanks for the replies gentleman. I knew someone on BCP would have good info on dirt strips in the area. You guys are the best. I've been looking on Shortfield.com, but it's kinda like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Is Wohlford public? On the sectional it says it's private, but I'm assuming it's OK to land there as long as you're not doing a bunch of touch and goes or anything too obnoxious.

Not dirt, and it is aways from San Diego, but if you are up by the Yucca Valley area any way, try Chiriaco Summit on I-10.

Home of the George Patten Museum. Food on site, too.

--Bill

OregonMaule wrote: I second Wolford, great spot. Make sure to walk down to the restaurant for breakfast or lunch......

Isn't that the fried catfish place?

Ocotillo wells airstrip L90 and Salton Sea KSAS are two strips I know of near San Diego. Not much to do there but it's fun flying in that area, especially late fall through early spring.

A little further north of there is an area I'm very familiar with and there are a lot of good off airport places, between Yucca Valley L90 and Apple Valley KAPV. That area has BLM dry lakebeds, sand dunes and sandy washes that are really fun. Use caution and check boundaries though, the marines at 29 palms did a land grab recently and reduced the area that is open for recreation. http://www.29palms.marines.mil/Staff/G5 ... on-Valley/

Lots of places to set down and explore where Handrdrty mentioned. This is one, Giant Rock Airport, this picture is from the 60s. Can still land there, though watch out for the washboard. Quite a few interesting places around there, the Integratron, to name one, Giant Rock has interesting history, particularly where the guy that lived under the rock blew himself up when the law came looking for him, both are worth checking out on the internet. And the UFO rallies where the guy that said the the Venetians took him for a ride were "interesting"



This is my strip, you're welcome to PM and stop there, Giant Rock is about two miles to the north of here.

Call the Lake Wohlford Cafe for info. http://lakewohlfordcafe.com/

Lake Wohlford is a ton of fun. Just call the number listed in the airfield directory before showing up as a courtesy...they're very friendly.

Lake Wohlford landing: https://youtu.be/aJZ8YSatgFA

I'll second ZenithGuy on Giant Rock. It's a cool locale.

"Okay, who's the asshole that broke the rock???"

How would you like to be sitting at the base of that thing, enjoying the shade, when that chunk decided to calve off of it?

Hopefully it was nature telling some knucklehead he shouldn't be tagging it. Side thought... I wonder if cave-kids were responsible for the drawings we find from prehistoric times.

hotrod180 wrote:

OregonMaule wrote: I second Wolford, great spot. Make sure to walk down to the restaurant for breakfast or lunch......

Isn't that the fried catfish place?

Yep

scottnt wrote:Thanks for the replies gentleman. I knew someone on BCP would have good info on dirt strips in the area. You guys are the best. I've been looking on Shortfield.com, but it's kinda like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Is Wohlford public? On the sectional it says it's private, but I'm assuming it's OK to land there as long as you're not doing a bunch of touch and goes or anything too obnoxious.

Been there 6 times. Never called. Talked to a few pilots based there. Real nice folks! I was told half the strip is owned by the City of Escondido and other half Wolford Lake resort I think.

BTW Scott, if you have never been to Big Bear, GO!! Always the best gas prices around! Real good restaurant.

Cheers...Rob

Thanks Rob, good to know. I may give them a call just to be on the safe side. Never hurts. Flying commercial down to San Diego to do some training at the end of the month.

OregonMaule wrote:

scottnt wrote:...Is Wohlford public? On the sectional it says it's private, but I'm assuming it's OK to land there as long as you're not doing a bunch of touch and goes or anything too obnoxious.

Been there 6 times. Never called. Talked to a few pilots based there. Real nice folks! I was told half the strip is owned by the City of Escondido and other half Wolford Lake resort I think. ....

Airnav sez prior permission required.
Also sez privately owned, by John O'Flynn (with a Lake Wohlford address).

http://www.airnav.com/airport/8CL1

I go into Wohlford quite regularly for breakfast... call ahead isn't needed... they don't mind anyone landing.. and you probably won't see anyone there... It's a 10 minute flight from my Gillespie hangar....just don't do touch n go's ... that they don't like.. most times land to the west and come in over the trailers in the park....got a couple strips close to the border that are very old forestry strips but border patrol watches them closely and if there they will detain you .... that is if they catch you on the ground....heh heh heh.....same goes for the dry lake beds out by ocotillo you can land on them but don't stay long... it seems it's ok to race across dry lakebeds with bikes and sand buggies but aircraft are a red flag... but ....they gotta catch you .......oh here's a word of warning... just east of Wohlford is a high flat plateau with a strip on it... don't even think of it in fact don't even fly low over the plateau... which has a very inviting straight dirt road.... the owner of the strip and land is very hostile and will report you to anyone who will listen... what i've been told anyway....