Camp On the Abandoned Santa Margarita Lookout Helipad

Starting in Murrieta, CA you don't have to venture far to enjoy a beautiful view and less light polluted skies.

From Murrieta on the I-15 freeway you're going to want to take the Clinton Kieth Road exit and head west. If you're low on gas make sure to fill up at the 7 Eleven on the left corner. The drive isn't very long in terms of distance but a good portion of it is on graded dirt so you'll be burning through more gas than usual.

After getting off the freeway stay on Clinton Kieth Road for roughly 10-11 miles. You will start climbing and pass a fire station and the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, if you see these you're on the right track. Stay on Clinton Kieth Road till it turns to dirt and then proceed about 100 yards. After proceeding about 100 yards you will see a three way fork in the road, take the road on the left. This road is Margarita Road but it is not marked as it is a dirt road. This road was recently graded so it can be done in just about any car, but I recommend something with a little bit of clearance since there is still quite a few bumps.

Once on Margarita Road you're going to follow this all the way to the destination. You'll pass multiple forks in the road, keep right on all of them as the left roads are all gated off after about 100 yards. After following this road for about 8-10 miles you will start ascending again along the right ridge of the mountain then you'll reach a turn where you make a full u turn up along the ridge of the mountain. Once you make this u turn you will have about 100 yards till you reach another fork in the road. The one on the right will proceed downward to a gate that enters the Marine Base and the one on the left looks more like a turn out but there is a road on the right side. If you're driving anything other than a lifted Jeep park your car here and hike to the top from here it's only about a quarter mile. The reason you need a lifted Jeep for this last section is because this section of road is littered by boulders and rocks so nothing but a Jeep is suited for this type of rock crawling. Whether you have a Jeep or decide to hike be wary of the cliff on the left side towards the top, however there is plenty of room on the right so just hug right and you'll be ok. Then the final step is set up camp on the helipad and enjoy good views, clear skies and good times!

Fun Fact: On Friday nights you can actually see the Disneyland Fireworks from here!