Visiting Pacific Beach Planning Group in September, Campland on the Bay pled its case for remaining an affordable bay front campground.
Campland could be a casualty in the City’s ongoing three-year analysis of the 120-acre De Anza Special Study Area, part of developing a De Anza Cove Amendment to the Mission Bay Park Master Plan.
The City, working with the local community and stakeholders, is developing revitalization plan alternatives to amend the Mission Bay Park Master Plan, along with creating an environmental impact report. 
The goal of the De Anza Cove Amendment to the Mission Bay Park Master Plan is to re-imagine, re-purpose and revitalize the special study area, which includes the former, now-vacant, 75-acre De Anza Cove mobile home park, as well as Campland and surrounding Mission Bay Golf Course, Mission Bay Boat and Ski Club, Bob McEvoy Athletic Field and Mission Bay Tennis Club.
In April 2017, the City Council unanimously approved a lease extension for up to five years for Campland, while the City finalizes its De Anza Revitalization Plan. That plan includes about 40 acres for RV camping, cabins or guest housing. The City has said Campland’s ultimate fate will be decided once the environmental impact report for the revitalization project is complete.
At the Sept. 26 PBPG meeting, Jacob Gelfand, Campland’s vice president of operations, defended the campground, located west of Rose Creek across from De Anza Cove, as an invaluable community asset. He also presented Campland’s own alternative plan for the special study area, countering a City proposal, which could close the park and move its amenities to the now-vacant De Anza Cove mobile home park.
“We serve more than 100,000 visitors annually, 80 percent of whom return,” Gelfand said. “We offer a wide range of amenities at our active resort, everything from restaurants and bars to marinas, a beach, an arcade and a skateboarding facility. These types of uses fill important needs for the City and the whole region.”
Added Gelfand, “Campland has been an important economic driver for the city, generating nearly $3 million a year in lease revenues and transit occupancy tax.”
Gelfand characterized the City’s proposal to close Campland and move its amenities as unnecessary and wasteful, noting Campland guests contribute significantly to the local economy and small-businesses.
“Access to the waterfront and affordable lodging is becoming increasingly endangered,” said Gelfand, who contended the City’s alternative plan, if enacted, would result in fewer and less-affordable bay front lodging units.
“It would be much more economically and ecologically sound to preserve Campland, rather than destroy it and start from scratch,” Gelfand said. “Preserving Campland is right in line with the goals of the Mission Bay Master Plan and the Coastal Act.”
Gelfand added Campland’s alternative plan now being worked on would result in “increased revenues for the City, improved access for pedestrians and bicyclists and upgrades to the athletic fields and golf course.”
Gelfand told PBPG he plans to return later with a more fleshed-out alternative proposal to be reviewed and ask for the group’s endorsement.