Picture it: a screen door slamming, the smell of a charcoal grill drifting through the campsite, and a pack of kids disappearing until the streetlights (or in this case, the campfire smoke) call them back. No tablets, no itinerary, just dirt on their knees and a bike ride to nowhere in particular. That’s the trip a lot of us remember, and according to new industry data, it’s exactly the trip today’s kids are craving too.
KOA’s 2026 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report points to a rising “analog camping” trend, with campers actively trading curated, scheduled experiences for simpler, unstructured time outdoors. That’s the entire idea behind Mission Bay RV Resort, a waterfront campground on De Anza Cove built for the kind of old-school camping trip that doesn’t need a packed agenda to be memorable.
Why Parents Are Craving the Unplugged Trip
If you’ve hesitated to book a camping trip because you’re worried the kids will be bored without a lineup of activities, the data suggests the opposite is true. Coverage of the analog camping trend from outlets like Modern Campground points to a generational shift where campers, especially Gen Z and Millennials, are actively seeking less structure, not more. These are the exact generations currently booking family trips.
That reframes the whole “will my kids be bored” fear. Unstructured time isn’t a gap to fill with activities — it’s the point. A slow morning, a bike ride with no destination, or an afternoon spent skipping rocks is what makes a camping trip feel different from the rest of the calendar.
“Unplugged” Doesn’t Mean Unsupervised
What the Research Says
An old-school camping trip doesn’t have to mean letting children roam without boundaries. The goal is more age-appropriate exploration, active play, and manageable challenges, with parents staying appropriately involved rather than absent. A systematic review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health examined the relationship between risky outdoor play and children’s health and found positive associations with outcomes including physical activity and social health.
At the same time, the researchers acknowledged that outdoor play can involve injury risks, which makes appropriate supervision and safe environments important considerations. The takeaway isn’t that more risk is always better — it’s that appropriately managed outdoor challenges can be part of a healthy, active childhood.
What This Looks Like at a Campground
In practice, that can mean letting a child choose which trail to explore, ride a bike around the resort, climb on age-appropriate play equipment, join a recreation activity, or investigate the shoreline, with parents setting boundaries that fit the child’s age and the activity. The point isn’t recreating a time when kids simply disappeared until dinner; it’s giving them more room to do, rather than being entertained every minute.
At a resort like Mission Bay RV Resort, that balance is easy to strike. Parents can set simple rules — where kids can go, when they need to check back in, and which activities need an adult nearby — while still leaving plenty of room for independent play. That structure is especially useful for families trying to cut back on screen time without turning the weekend into a strict no-technology mandate.
A Setting Built for Unplugged Days
Mission Bay RV Resort sits along the shores of De Anza Cove, where guests can walk down to the public beach and enjoy the calm waters of the cove without ever getting in a car. Miles of pedestrian and bike trails run right past the resort, so a morning bike ride or an afternoon walk along the water becomes part of daily life rather than a planned excursion.
That setup makes unstructured time easy rather than something you have to schedule around. Wake up to bay breezes, spend the day paddleboarding, biking, or simply sitting by the water, and let the hours fill themselves. It’s the old-school camping rhythm: a slow start, open time outdoors, and long stretches of nothing in particular that end up being the best part of the trip.
RV Sites Built for Comfort Without Losing the Nostalgia
Not every family wants to sacrifice comfort to get that unplugged feeling, and Mission Bay RV Resort is built with that balance in mind. Sites along the bay offer full hookups, WiFi, and cable TV, with extra-long spots that can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet, so bigger rigs and families traveling with more gear are still well accommodated. The resort’s newer unpaved section, Mission Bay North, also opens up both tent and RV camping for families who want a more rustic setup.
This matters because comfort and unstructured time aren’t opposites. A family can spend the whole day biking the waterfront trails or floating in the cove, then come back to a full-hookup site instead of fussing over gear in the dark. It’s old-school camping with a few modern conveniences built in, and it’s part of why the resort was named 2024’s Best Staycation in the San Diego Union-Tribune Readers Poll and won RV Life’s Best of the Best Campground Award in 2025.
More Than a Campsite: Resort Amenities and a Sister Resort Next Door
When families do want a bit more structure, Mission Bay RV Resort has it. The resort’s amenities include a pool and spa, a sports court for basketball, ping pong, and pickleball, and a newly renovated clubhouse with pool tables, foosball, and air hockey. Watersports rentals — including wave runners, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, pontoon boats, and pedal boats — put the cove within easy reach for families who want to get out on the water.
Guests also get access to the amenities at Campland on the Bay, the resort’s sister property just across the pedestrian- and bike-friendly Mike Gotch Bridge over Rose Creek, roughly a half-mile walk or ride away. That means a quiet, unplugged base camp at Mission Bay RV Resort with the option to walk over for extra activities, dining, and entertainment whenever the family wants a change of pace.
Plan Your Unplugged Weekend
Booking this kind of trip doesn’t require a detailed itinerary, but it does require a site, and waterfront spots at Mission Bay RV Resort go quickly, especially in the summer season. The resort sits just five minutes off the I-5, making it an easy trip for locals and an easy first stop for visitors flying into San Diego.
Whether your family wants a full-hookup RV site or a spot in the unpaved Mission Bay North section, checking availability online takes just a few minutes. It’s worth booking early, since bayfront sites tend to fill first.
Give Them the Trip You Remember
The data backs up what a lot of parents already sense — kids don’t need a packed schedule to have a great camping trip; they need the space to just be outside. Mission Bay RV Resort gives families exactly that kind of room to slow down, with a quiet cove, open trails, and a bridge to more activities whenever they want them.
Ready to give your kids the unplugged trip of your own childhood? Check availability at Mission Bay RV Resort online and start planning a weekend that runs on its own schedule.
FAQs
Will my kids get bored without planned activities?
Recent camping industry research suggests the opposite — unstructured time is actually what many kids and parents are looking for in a camping trip, with unplanned time ranking as a top priority for a large share of campers, especially younger generations. Mission Bay RV Resort still offers a pool, sports court, and clubhouse for families who want more structure, but the beach, cove, and bike trails give kids real room to entertain themselves without a schedule dictating every hour.
Does “unplugged” camping mean I have to let my kids roam unsupervised?
No. The goal is more age-appropriate independence within boundaries parents set, not a total absence of supervision. Simple rules — like where kids can go, when to check back in, and which activities need an adult present — let kids build confidence and explore on their own terms while parents stay close enough to step in if needed.
What’s the difference between the paved RV sites and the Mission Bay North section?
The main resort offers paved, full-hookup RV sites with WiFi and cable TV, including extra-long spots that fit RVs up to 45 feet, which suits families who want comfort along with their waterfront view. Mission Bay North is the resort’s newer unpaved section and offers both tent and RV camping, which is a better fit for families chasing a more rustic, old-school camping feel.
Do I get access to more amenities if I want them?
Yes. Guests at Mission Bay RV Resort can also use the amenities at Campland on the Bay, its sister property connected by the pedestrian- and bike-friendly Mike Gotch Bridge just a half-mile away. That means you can keep your stay simple and unplugged, or walk over for extra dining, activities, and entertainment whenever you want a change of pace.
Is the resort close to other San Diego attractions?
Yes. The resort sits just five minutes off the I-5 and close to Pacific Beach, SeaWorld, Mission Beach, and downtown San Diego, so it works well as a quiet home base even if your trip includes a few outings beyond the property.
Are there activities for kids and adults if we want more structure some of the time?
Yes. The resort’s amenities page lists planned activities for kids, adults, and families, along with a pool, spa, sports court, and clubhouse games, so you can mix in organized fun whenever the unstructured pace isn’t quite what the day calls for.
How far in advance should I book a site?
Bayfront and full-hookup sites tend to book up quickly, especially during peak summer months, so reserving early through our resort’s availability checker is the best way to secure the site you want, particularly if you’re hoping for one with direct water views.