Camp Maranatha is owned and operated, as a non-profit organization, by the Advent Christian Conference of Southern California. The campground has been located at its current location since 1951. Prior to that (dating back to the early 1920’s), meetings were held at a beachside location in Carlsbad, California. The only permanent structure at the Carlsbad location was a kitchen/dining room. The campers slept in tents, and a larger tent served as a meeting hall.

In 1951, Ed Jaffarian, a member of the Advent Christian Church in Pasadena, purchased the 25 acres where Camp Maranatha is currently situated, and donated it to the conference to be used as a campground. Through this generous act Camp Maranatha was born, and many lives have been impacted for Christ.

Prior to becoming a campground the land had been used as a sawmill site for many years. When the camp was purchased there were five frame buildings on the grounds. Two of them remain today. The Ice Cream Parlor had served as the Sawmill’s office, and the Maple Lodge (adjacent to the Director’s Residence) is an original building as well. Many still remember the original "Big Pine Lodge" and "The Ponderosa", which were torn down in 1998 and 2002 respectively to make room for building projects. Although rich in history and memories these old buildings were in need of costly repairs and space was needed for the construction of more modern facilities.

The first camp meeting was held at Camp Maranatha in 1951. Most campers slept in tents, and they used the same "Tabernacle Tent" that had been used in Carlsbad for meetings. That first summer the dining hall was under construction. Campers ate on one side while the other was being roofed. When that side was completed it was used for eating while roofing continued on the other side.

Errol and Juanita Hunt served as the camp’s managers for the first twenty years of its existence, and did much to shape the camp’s layout and mission. Following the Hunts’ retirement in 1971 Dick Beggs stepped in as Director and his wife, Nancy, ran the kitchen. After more than thirty years of dedicated service Dick retired in 2003, and Nancy retired in 2007. Many lives have been impacted through this precious couple’s years of ministry and service. Following Dick’s retirement in 2003, Keith Shirley, took over the Director’s position. Keith had been employed at the camp since 1990 as the facilities Manager. God has truly blessed this campground over the years with God-fearing leaders who possess vision, a servant’s heart, a genuine love for the Lord, and a desire to see the camp used to the glory of God.

The camp has come a long way since those early days when campers slept in tents, and ate in unfinished buildings. Over the years the kitchen and dining hall were completed. Cabins, meeting halls, restrooms, and shower facilities were constructed. A swimming pool, Volleyball court, and the sunset bowl were also installed. The campground now boasts four meeting halls; the Auditorium, the North Chapel, the Mt Tahquitz Lodge and the newly completed Oak Lodge (A far cry from the simple canvas tent which housed those early services.).