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Dixon Lake

Part of North County Inland, our guide to Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Poway and Ramona.

Dixon Lake, at 1700 La Honda Drive in Escondido, is open year-round except Christmas Day, with gates opening at 6 a.m. daily. Day-use entry is $5 per car on weekends, holidays and special events, cash only. Fishing needs a daily permit, $10 for adults 16 and up, but no California fishing license.Checked October 23, 2026.

6 a.m.Gates Open Daily
$5Per Car, Weekends and Holidays
$10Adult Fishing Permit
FreeChildren Under 8 With an Adult
Pedal boats and a boat dock on Dixon Lake with green hills beyond
The boat dock at Dixon Lake. Mark Skovorodko, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Address1700 La Honda Drive, Escondido, CA 92027. Phone 760-839-4680.
Hours“Open year-round (closed Christmas Day). Gates open at 6 am daily; closing hours vary by season.” Boats are called in one hour before closing.
Day UseCharged on weekends, holidays and during special events such as the Trout Derby: per car, van or motorcycle $5 (cash only); buses and vehicles over 20 feet $30 (cash only). Senior citizens (over 60) free.
Fishing PermitNo California license required. Adults 16+ $10 a day; seniors 60+ $7; youth 8 to 15 $7; children under 8 free with an adult; second rod $5.
AmenitiesFishing, camping, picnic areas, a playground and trails.

Nearby

The Daley Ranch trails start a short drive up the same road.

Dixon Lake Open the map. © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Seasonal closing times, the current trout stocking schedule (call 760-839-4680) and camping rates: not confirmed.
  • Older city web pages list lower permit prices. We use the current escondido.gov figures.

More in North County Inland

FAQ

Do I need a fishing license at Dixon Lake?

No California license is required. You do need a daily fishing permit from the city, $10 for adults 16 and up.

What does it cost to enter Dixon Lake?

Day use is $5 per car, van or motorcycle on weekends, holidays and special events, cash only. Seniors over 60 are free.

Sources

  1. City of Escondido: Dixon Lake
  2. City of Escondido: Fishing Information

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.