A short walk from the house
Two peaks, and a little valley full of oaks.
Dos picos is Spanish for “two peaks”, and the park takes its name from two mountains that rise nearby. Tucked in their shelter is a small, shady valley of coast live oaks and Engelmann oaks, ringed by ranchland and steep slopes scattered with granite boulders.
It is one of the loveliest things about staying at Mountain Retreat: a public park a short walk away, with oak groves, a fishing pond, trails, mountain biking and a big playground. Come for an hour or stay the whole afternoon. There is always somewhere shady under the oaks to spread out a picnic.
Under the oaks
People have gathered here for a very long time.
Long before there was a park, the Ipai people lived in valleys like this one, drawn by the oaks. Acorns ground into meal were a staple of their diet.
Some of the oaks standing today are thought to be around three hundred years old. The great boulders on the hillsides are granite, pushed up from deep underground and worn smooth over a very long time by wind and rain. It is worth walking slowly, and looking up.
What you will find
A park made for an unhurried day
Everything here is the county’s, and open to the public. This is what we point our guests towards.
Oak groves
Shade on even the warm days, and the kind of old trees children want to stand under and stare up at.
The fishing pond
A quiet pond with ducks, herons and egrets for company. A gentle place to try a first cast, with a grown-up alongside.
A big playground
Plenty for the little ones to climb, with open lawn nearby for running off breakfast.
The nature trail
A trail winds through the park among the oaks, chaparral and boulders. Good for an easy stroll at any age.
Mountain biking
For the riders in the group who want something a little more lively than a stroll.
Picnic tables
Tables tucked among the trees, and a covered pavilion. Pack lunch at the house and carry it over.
Horseshoes
Horseshoe pits, for the family members who have been practicing on the pit back at the house.
Open lawn
A soccer field and open play areas. Bring a ball and let everyone choose teams.
The gazebo
A gazebo set on a lawn beneath the oaks, looking out over the pond.
A campground
The county runs a campground here with tent sites, RV sites and cabins. Camping is booked through the county. County reservations
Field notes
Who else lives at Dos Picos
The mix of oak woodland, chaparral and open grassland, with water in the middle of it all, brings in a remarkable number of birds. A pair of binoculars earns its place in the bag.
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Early morning
California quail
Out and about on foot while the park is still quiet.
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On the pond
Herons, egrets and ducks
Great blue herons and egrets wade the edges, and several kinds of duck paddle about.
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In the oaks
Hawks, woodpeckers and bluebirds
Red-shouldered hawks, woodpeckers, scrub jays and western bluebirds, among others.
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After dark
Three kinds of owl
Barn owls, screech owls and great horned owls fill the evening with their calls.
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Now and then
Coyote, fox and raccoon
Along with possum and skunk, for anyone lucky enough to spot them.
From the house
A five-minute walk to the park.
Dos Picos County Park is about a five-minute walk from Mountain Retreat. Head out the driveway and down the private road, the same way you drove in, and it brings you to the park.
Back at the house, Mountain Retreat has eight acres of its own hiking trails at the base of Iron Mountain.
See Mountain RetreatThe driveway
Out the gate and over the bridge.
The private road
The same road you drove in on.
Into the park
The road brings you to Dos Picos.
An easy day
A morning at the park, an evening at the house
- After breakfast
Pull on walking shoes and set off while it is still cool. The quail are usually out first.
- Mid-morning
The playground for the little ones, and grown-ups and children side by side at the edge of the pond.
- Lunch
A picnic in the shade of the oaks, with the whole family around one table.
- Afternoon
Back to the house for the Boulder Oak Arcade, a round of Boulder Oak disc golf, or a nap.
- Evening
The fire pit and the hot tub, with the stars coming out overhead.
What to bring
A little pack list for the walk over
Nothing elaborate. Just enough to stay as long as everyone is having a good time.
- Water for everyone
- Sun hats
- Sunscreen
- Good walking shoes
- A picnic and snacks
- A blanket for the grass
- Binoculars for the birds
- A layer for later in the day
- A fishing rod, if you plan to fish. See the county’s page first.
Before you go
Hours, fees and camping come from the county.
The county keeps its own page up to date with day-use hours, parking, campsite reservations and the park’s rules, and it is the place to check before you set off.
- Dos Picos County Park
- 17953 Dos Picos Park Road
Ramona, CA 92065 - Open in Maps
Questions guests ask us
Where can we stay near Dos Picos County Park?
Mountain Retreat, our four-bedroom house on eight acres at the base of Iron Mountain, is a short walk from the park. It sleeps 14, has three bathrooms, a hot tub, a fire pit, the 700 square foot Boulder Oak Arcade and its own hiking trails. See Mountain Retreat.
Is the park part of Mountain Retreat?
No. Dos Picos is a public park run by the County of San Diego, open to everyone. It is simply a lovely neighbor to have.
What are the park’s hours and fees?
They are set by the county and can change, so we would rather point you to the county’s page than repeat them here.
Can we fish in the pond?
There is a fishing pond in the park. For what you need before you cast a line, please check the county’s page.
Can you camp at Dos Picos?
Yes. The county runs a campground in the park, with tent sites, RV sites and cabins, and campsites are booked through the county’s reservations site. If your group would rather have beds, a kitchen and a hot tub, Mountain Retreat is a short walk away.
How far is it from San Diego?
Mountain Retreat is about thirty-five minutes from downtown San Diego, and about twenty-five minutes from the Safari Park.
Where to stay nearby
Mountain Retreat, a short walk from the park.
A hot tub under a star-filled sky, eight acres of hiking trails, and pine and granite pressed against the base of Iron Mountain. One floor, one big room for everyone to gather in, and a deck to spill out onto.
- 14sleeps
- 4bedrooms
- 3bathrooms
- 8acres
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