Welcome to Green Oak Ranch!

Visiting the “Campside”

The Campside refers to the retreat center side of the property, essentially everything to the west of the main intersection (just after the loud bridge coming from the front gate). You are welcome to enjoy this large outdoor space when camps are not in. We communicate the presence of camps in two ways:

1. Via the weekly email sent on Tuesdays which will tell you the camp schedule. Let Steve know if you’re not receiving this email and we can add you.

2. Via the small stop sign-shaped signs on either side of the bridge. If they are down that means camp is in session and you are not allowed on the Campside except to drop off rent payments or for scheduled meetings with staff.

Mail service

Your new mail address is 1237 Green Oak Rd, Vista CA 92081. This address along with your name will be enough to get the mail sorted and delivered to the mail/laundry room in the RV park. No need for a space number since we sort by name.

modifications to your site

Per your lease agreement, all modifications to your site must be approved by the RV park manager. This includes but is not limited to - sheds, fencing, outdoor flooring, outdoor shade structures, gazebos, etc.

where to pay rent

There are two ways to pay your rent:

1. Drop off check or cash to the office drop box (ask a neighbor or the Park Manager where this is)

2. Mail in a check to Green Oak Ranch, 1237 Green Oak Rd, Vista CA 92081. Be sure to note your name and space number on the check.

The Front Gate

The front gate can be reached between the hours of 6:00am-10:00pm at 760-445-1279. Please do not call to ask if packages have arrived. This number should primarily be used in the summer (when security is tighter) to notify them of any guests you have coming. Failure to give them a heads up will usually result in your guests being turned away.

History of Green Oak Ranch

Look around at the beautiful, undeveloped hills around Green Oak Ranch and feel the spirit of this historic property. The 142-acre Ranch was part of the original 2,288 acre “Rancho Buena Vista,” Mexican Land Grant from the early 1800s. You can almost still hear the clatter of the stage coach rolling into the stop right here on the property (those yellow buildings across from the basketball court were the original stagecoach stop), connecting people with the vital information of the day.

The Great Depression was a bleak time for Americans. Yet, hope and recovery rose out of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” – a massive public works program that sustained families, revitalized the economy and restored dignity to millions. The most popular “New Deal” program was the Civilian Conservation Corp, or CCC, which provided jobs to young men, veterans, and Native Americans. The CCC was launched under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur. Green Oak Ranch was home to the local CCC here in San Diego. The CCC is credited with improving the physical condition of these men, heightening morale and increasing their employability. It also increased public appreciation for the environment, and the need to manage and protect our natural resources. Original buildings from 1835 are still in use today at the Ranch.

In 1942, the Ranch became “Camp Vista,” leased by the U.S. Army as a base for the Western Defense Command, responsible for protecting our coastline from attacks by land, air and sea. As many as 800 men were stationed here at one time. After the Allied victory, the Camp also housed the Navy while they worked on a local water conservation project. We are proud to be part of the history of the U.S. military and honor that history as we continue to serve veterans. 

The Union Rescue mission had a vision for not just rescuing men from a life of addiction and homelessness, but to keep them from ever getting there. And in 1950, the Camp Vista Property was purchased and renamed “Green Oak Boys Camp,” as a Christian retreat for at-risk-youth, employing men in recovery as “ranch hands,” to work the camp. In this natural setting beyond the harsh inner-city, many found faith and a vision for their lives. From this era the ranch continued to grow and change into what it is today.

Large trash items

Please do not put large trash items in the dumpster as this is a shared space for the entire park and needs to last between pickups. We can have maintenance pick up larger items for a reasonable fee. Examples of items that are too large - shelving, chairs, bikes, tables, etc. You may feel free to break down the item and dispose of it piece meal.

communicating with staff

One of the challenges for our staff with living and working in the same place is that it might appear that we are always working and available. For our mental wellbeing we request that you restrict your communication for non-emergency work-related issues to the business hours of M-F, 8-5. This mainly refers to phone calls and texting.