The San Francisco Bay Area is a densely populated metropolitan area surrounded by miles of shoreline, countless wetland acres, and rolling hills as far as the eye can see.
NorCal’s cultural and economic center was built on a richly varied environment. Thanks to preservation efforts and thoughtful city preparation, there are plenty of wild areas within and around the city reserve for nature to bloom and people to explore.
You don’t need to travel far from the skyscrapers of downtown San Francisco to discover exceptional outdoor camping opportunities. There are a couple of excellent camping areas within the city itself, and it’s possible to reserve several remote campgrounds that are less than a 30-minute drive from Fisherman’s Wharf– without traffic, of course.
Lavish seaside forest campgrounds, lakeside retreats, dry mountain prairie tent websites, and rustic beachside cabins are however a few of the excellent camping alternatives near San Francisco, California. We’ve got the scoop on the very best camping in the Bay Location.
Related Read: 11 Legendary Winter Season Camping Areas in California
San Francisco Location Camping
Visitors and homeowners alike have a wealth of outdoor camping options to explore near San Francisco. Listed below, we’ve detailed our favorite outdoor camping spots in the San Francisco Bay Location. You’ll discover whatever from far-out backpacking camping areas to amenity-rich RV resorts.
Each camping area on our list has its own special atmosphere. Our company believe the very best camping areas near San Francisco offer access to a range of outside entertainment chances, yet are conveniently situated near the accommodations of the area’s small towns and huge cities.
No matter which direction your travels take you from San Francisco, we have actually discovered an excellent outdoor camping area for you. Read on to learn where you can discover the very best outdoor camping spots near San Francisco.
1. Black Mountain Backpack Camp
Image: Dipika Bhattacharya Why you must camp here: Escape the electrical din of
Silicon Valley with a fast trek into the Monte Bello Preserve. Appointments accepted: Yes Finest season: Spring, summer, fall, winter Campground type: Tents RV hookups: No Neglecting the tech-savvy towns of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Santa Clara, Black Mountain is a dark peak looming versus the western skies. From its lofty top, the workaday hubbub of the cities below appears unimportant. Here, you can allow the breeze to carry your tensions away.
There are a handful of camping sites in the camping site, consisting of a big group camp. To access the premises, campers should trek 1.5 miles from the parking area. There is water on-site, however it is not drinkable. A pit toilet, fire tube, and, unusually enough, a payphone are also situated at the campground.
Miles of tracks and unbound vistas can be discovered around every turn up in these hills. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and do not be amazed to hear the yip of coyotes or the screech of a lone cougar in the range during the night.
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Related Read: The 10 Best Camping Spots in Santa Barbara, California
2. Bootjack and Pantoll Campgrounds
n’t made an appointment in other places in the location and want to chance on a first-come-first-served area. Reservations accepted: No Finest season: Spring, summer season, fall Camping area type: Camping tents Recreational vehicle connections
: No Together, Bootjack and Pantoll Campgrounds supply over 30 walk-in outdoor camping sites in the peaceful Douglas fir forest of Mount Tamalpais State Park. Getting an area on the weekend can be difficult on a fair-weather day, however
you’ll have a good chance mid-week or when the skies are cloudy. The two camping areas are preferably situated at the heart of the park where convenient day-use facilities and various trailheads can be found. Mount Tam is maybe the most popular treking location in the Bay Area, and for great reason.
With an early start towards the peak from your tent, you can beat the crowds, or you might head the other instructions toward the less-populated Muir Woods National Monolith.
There are flushing toilets, drinkable water, and fire pits with cooking grills at both campgrounds.
Related Read: 7 Stunning Camping Spots in Mammoth Lakes, California
3. Golden Gate National Entertainment Location Campgrounds
Photo: Fabrice Florin Why
season: Spring, summer season, fall Camping area type: Tents Recreational vehicle hookups: No Wish to avoid it all without leaving the Bay Area? The Marin Headlands is among your best bets, and the minute camping areas of Hawk, Haypress, and Bicentennial are the very best places to sleep under the stars within a 20-minute drive from SF.
Each of the 3 campgrounds has 5 or less tent websites to select from, they all should be hiked into, and they all should be scheduled ahead of time. For how close they are to the most largely inhabited city on the west coast, these 3 campsites are remarkably remote and primitive.
Water is not available at these areas, so ensure to load some in, and ground fires are not enabled, so be prepared to bring a gas stove if you want to cook. This has to do with as ‘roughing it’ as you can get without leaving the Bay Area.
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Related Read: 16 Spectacular Northern California Outdoor Camping Spots
4. Huckleberry Campground
Photo: David Fulmer Why you should camp here: Invest some time in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Bookings accepted: Yes Finest season: Spring, summer season, fall Camping area type: Tents, Recreational vehicles, cabins RV hookups: Dispose Station It would be remiss people not to mention Huge Basin Redwoods State Park when going over camping near San Francisco, and Huckleberry Camping area is among our favorites in this grand park. The campground’s collection of tent cabins turns glamping primitive once again, in an enjoyable method. The campground has a mix of reservation-only and walk-in campgrounds, as well as a swath of over 30 reservable camping tent cabins. Each cabin has a table, bench seating, and a number of sleeping platforms, and they also offer personal privacy and security from the weather.
Campers have access to running water, toilets, showers, and fire rings. The park has a web of tracks to explore underneath towering seaside redwoods, and they extend far out to neighboring parks and the Santa Cruz mountain range.
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5. Juniper Camping area
Image: Markus Spiering Why you need to camp here: Take in sweeping views from the most popular peak in the Bay Area. Appointments accepted: Yes Finest season: Spring, summertime, fall, winter Camping site type: Camping tents, Recreational vehicles Recreational vehicle hookups: No With large campgrounds that are private and well safeguarded from the aspects by the regional flora, Juniper Camping site is a pleasurable location to spend a night under the stars. The western campsites have magnificent views of the
Diablo Valley, and the rest are nestled under the branches of aromatic juniper trees. Do not worry if your campsite does not come with a consider as there is a terrific ignore for all to delight in at the southern end of the camping area. You can likewise take the Juniper Path or Top Roadway approximately Diablo’s peak where scenic vistas and historic structures battle for your attention. On a clear day, you can see San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and the stunning Sierra Nevada from the peak.
Back at camp, you’ll find bathrooms in addition to a fire ring, food locker, and picnic table at each camping area. The restroom and showers have flowing water however tend to be turned off when drought limitations are put in place.
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Related Read: 7 Awesome Weekend Road Trips from San Francisco, California
6. Kirby Cove Campground
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- =”1440″/ > Why you should camp here:
- Camp near the lapping waters of the cove with
- a panorama view of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. Bookings accepted: Yes Finest season: Spring, summer season, fall Campsite type: Camping tents Recreational vehicle hookups: No There’s no campground much better for taking in the sights of San Francisco. Kirby Cove Camping area is a day-use and outdoor camping area separated from the city by where the troubled ocean waters collide with the bay.
The campground lies uphill from the beach within a grove of cypress and eucalyptus trees. Kirby Cove’s sandy beach is a mile-long downhill walk from the campground and can be a safe and fun location to dip your toes in the water on a warm summertime day. The cove is naturally secured from the huge waves and strong winds that ravage other parts of the shoreline.
Camping sites must be reserved ahead of time and function accommodations such as fire rings, barbecue pits, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Aside from the nature trails and beach, there is likewise a decrepit weapon battery known as Kirby Battery to explore with interpretive signage about its military history.
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7. Lake Del Valle Family Camping Site
Appointments accepted: Yes Best season: Spring
, summer, fall, winter Camping site type: Tents, RVs, cabin, equestrian RV hookups: Yes Why you must camp here: An abundance of outdoor leisure chances waits for! Lake Del Valle Household Camping site is a hub of outdoor enjoyable in the East Bay Regional Park District. Treking, backpacking, horseback riding, and an array of watersports are popular activities in the area, and there suffice facilities to keep your family fueled for the duration of your stay.
Located in the wilderness south of the city of Livermore, Lake Del Valle extends 5 miles in length and is encircled with access points and resort-like amenities. A marina, store, boat rental service, vineyard, and golf course can be a part of your civilized vacation, or you can use the camp as a staging area for a remote backpacking journey into the Ohlone Wilderness.
This household camping site is one of several outdoor camping areas around the lake. Here you will have big, well-groomed camping areas with access to flowing water, toilets, an amphitheater, and a store with outdoor camping gear, snacks, and fishing equipment.
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Related Read: The Ultimate Los Angeles to San Francisco Road Trip
8. Olema Camping site
Why you should camp here: Check out the expansive beaches and seaside cliffs of Point Reyes National Seaside.
- Appointments accepted: Yes
- Finest season: Spring, summertime, fall, winter season
- Camping site type: Camping tents, Recreational vehicles
- RV hookups: Yes
The 71,000 acre Point Reyes National Seashore boasts a few of the most outstanding and memorable seaside landscapes California needs to offer. Olema Campground has nearly 200 campsites that are conveniently located near the park entryway and the charming town of Point Reyes Station.
You’ll discover laundry facilities, bathrooms, showers, and a suite of other facilities at the camping site, though you’ll likely want to go out to the coastline as typically as you can. The sandy beaches, wild wetlands, fish-filled bays, and ridgeline routes all will take your breath away with their natural charm.
Olema Camping area is found off of the scenic California State Path 1 north of San Francisco. The meandering highway continues northward along the Pacific coastline and showcases Northern California’s coastal attractions.
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9. Rob Hill Camping Area
Why you must go: It’s a genuine campground within San Francisco’s city limits.
- Appointments accepted: Yes
- Best season: Spring, summer, fall
- Campsite type: Tents
- Recreational vehicle connections: No
Rob Hill Camping area was very first established by the U.S. Army in the 1850s with plans to turn the land into a fort, but that never ever totally came to fruition. It was facelifted in 2010 with contemporary facilities and well-groomed camping areas.
Sitting high up at the Presidio’s highest point, Rob Hill Camping area overlooks Baker Beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the large horizon of the Pacific Ocean. Campgrounds are limited, and some of those are reserved for the regional Camping at the Presidio youth program, but you can catch an area if you look far out into the booking calendar.
Each camping site comes equipped with a fire ring and standup barbecue grill. There are several picnic tables and food locker on-site, in addition to toilets, a scullery, bike racks, refuse receptacles, and an emergency situation call box.
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Related Read: Bay Area Hiking: 11 Finest Hikes Near San Francisco, California
10. San Francisco RV Resort
Why you must camp here: This is the best location to park your recreational vehicle when you want
- to check out San Francisco. Reservations accepted:
Yes Best season: Spring, summer, fall, winter season Campsite type: RVs RV connections: Yes Rich with facilities and ocean views, San Francisco Recreational Vehicle Resort is a fine place to make basecamp as you set out to check out San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area. It’s an unequalled location for those looking to invest a long time in the
city. The RV park is set atop a high ocean cliff southwest of the city. Campers can take advantage of the on-site amenities which include a pool, jacuzzi, clubhouse, picnic area, and a shop. The surrounding communities have lots of supermarket and restaurants to select from, among other benefits.
The heart of the city is a brief drive away, and the recreational vehicle park is surrounding to several beaches and parks worth checking out. Mussel Rock Park provides astounding rocky coastline vistas with sandy beaches to enjoy, and a walking up Milagra Ridge proffers a grand view of the location from above.
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11. Daybreak Point Camping Area
Image: Daniel Ramirez Why you ought to camp here: You’re treking, biking, or boating through the Candlestick Point State Leisure Location.
- Appointments accepted: Yes
- Finest season: Spring, summertime, fall
- Campground type: Tents
- RV hookups: No
No vehicle gain access to is attended to Dawn Point Camping area and automobiles are not allowed to park over night at the Candlestick Point State Entertainment Location. This location is for those who wish to trek, bike, or boat there way to one of the few peaceful places in all of San Francisco.
All visitors should schedule their campgrounds ahead of time, and motorized boats are not permitted to access the shoreline. Facilities include flushing toilets, potable water, and gas grill. Pets aren’t permitted, and visitors can stay for a maximum of two nights.
Constraints aside, this is among the most pleasant places to camp in the San Francisco area. The camping location is new as of 2018 in what has actually otherwise been a day-use area that was developed to preserve the San Francisco Bay’s wildlife diversity and community.
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Related Read: 15 Best Glamping Spots in Northern & Southern California
12. Steep Ravine Camping Site and Cabins
Why you should camp here: Reserve a rustic cabin and spend the day hunting for starfish on the rocky shoreline.
- Bookings accepted: Yes
- Best season: Spring, summertime, fall, winter
- Campsite type: Camping tents, cabins
- Recreational vehicle connections: No
Steep Ravine Campground and Cabins is one of the most special places on our list. Here, you can remain in a bare-bones cabin on the stunningly lovely shore at the base of Mt. Tamalpais State Park. It’s a wild and amazing place that words fail to explain.
Numerous camping tent sites lie on-site as well, but the cabin experience is what you should choose if you can grab a booking. The cabins include built-in seating, tables, storage shelves, and numerous sleeping platforms with adequate space for six people in a pinch, though that would be constrained.
Each cabin has a wood range and there are shared bathrooms a short walk from the cabins.
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San Francisco is a huge city, but with numerous wild areas in the city plus great deals of nature protect close by, there’s a lot of excellent camping to be had.