An off-road club known to many people who frequent the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, the Los Pretots Desert Club has been around for quite awhile. Started approximately 25-30 years ago by a French gentleman named Mr. Pretots as a way to get together with his buddies, the club now boasts more than 50 members - and new members are always welcome.

Pretots means friendship and this club is a friend to many off-road enthusiasts. Located in Ocotillo Wells, they are conveniently situated near the Ocotillo Wells SVRA. One of the most popular off-road parks in Southern California, Ocotillo Wells is just east of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and encompasses more than forty thousand acres of desert, which includes quite a diversity of terrain: rock, washes, mud hills, sand dunes, and more. Provided with so many trails and off-roading opportunities, the Los Pretots Desert Club rarely wanders far from home.

There is quite an array of vehicles in the club. They have everything from tricked-out trucks to Jeeps to sandrails - all looking for fun and adventure. There are only a couple of requirements to join. A person must be 18 years or older and there are yearly dues of $10 per person. The Los Pretots Desert Club meets monthly at their clubhouse, and they have an annual club dinner at the Blu Inn at the end of each year.

The club's very busy officers are: President Sandy Ratliff, Vice President Harold Soens, Secretary Jean Soens, Treasurer Cathy Eckroad, and Member at Large Brad Eckroad. They have monthly poker runs and club activities, but also sponsor several special runs throughout the year, such as their well-known Halloween Poker Run, an Easter Egg Hunt, a President's Weekend Poker Run, and a few others.

The club has several sponsors to help with their bigger events including North County Yamaha, San Diego Off Road Magazine, Lemon Grove Motorcycle, OVW Co., Cycle Parts West, the Blu Inn, Desert Ironwoods Motel and Store, Mobiland RV Park, Split Mountain Park and Store, Iron Door, and others. This group is very active in their community and support an assortment of charities and causes including the Salvation Army in Descanso, CalPals (volunteers who train children to safely ride and enjoy ATV's), CORVA, and their local volunteer fire department to name a few. They work with local park rangers with desert clean-up projects and are responsible for two miles of Highway 78 as part of the Adopt-a-Trail program. They work very hard and donate much of their time, energy, and financial help to keep the desert open.

The Los Pretots Desert Club is full of generous people. As President Sandy Ratliff says, "We do this out of love for the desert, loyalty to a club and to the people who participate in off-road activities. We have a passion for the desert and a sincere desire to see people have fun and enjoy this wonderful natural resource."

For more information, please call President Sandy Ratliff at (760) 741-8073.