San Francisco. Between the sunny weather, sweeping coastal views, and distinguished national monuments, finding a perfect camping location in the San Francisco Bay Area is effortless. © 2020 Time Out America LLC and affiliated companies owned by Time Out Group Plc. Camping Gear That Does Everything (Except Pitch the Tent) There are many beautiful spots for camping scattered throughout the entire Bay Area. This nifty little spot is the perfect overnight for San Franciscans who travel light. All sites include picnic tables and fire rings. You can pitch a tent at one of the 59 campsites (most with easy access by car), or book one of the rustic cabins. 25 Best Campgrounds Within Two Hours of San Francisco Though there’s much to experience in America’s favorite city by the bay, it’s equally wonderful to get out of the urban area and explore the natural wonders Northern California has to offer. The most visited area in the National Parks Service--come experience the spectacular coastline that defines the Bay Area! Here’s our guide to the top parks, broken down by what type of camper you are. Camping and Cali … they ring as true to one another as the words sound together. Find the best campgrounds & rv parks near San Francisco, California. Time Out is a registered trademark of Time Out America LLC. We cover the If you want to camp pinkies up â head here. September 13, 2014 at 5:00 am. Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground is the biggest and the best, with 189 campsites. There’s no shortage of great camping opportunities in the state of California, but that’s a really big state; 840 miles long, to be exact. You'll get a great overlook of the ocean from here. The only campground within the city limits of San Francisco, Rob Hill serves as an urban getaway for locals and visitors alike. Sean Hoyer. If you want to escape the crowds, look no further than Lassen. Mount Diablo State Park’s 20,000 acres contain a wide range of campsites—56 spots at Mount Diablo Group Campground and another 50 at Juniper and Live Oak Campgrounds—all of which include fire rings, picnic table, bathrooms, and drinking water. We already have this email. Point Reyes is another great hike-in campsite an hour north of the city. Sometimes you just have to get out of the city. Follow the figure-eight trail loop and pass the parkâs famous Cinder Cone. While the hiking in San Francisco is excellent, those who really want to experience the outdoors should pack up their bags and head to one of these awesome spots for camping near San Francisco. Hopper Editors - Oct. 26, 2017 Take note: The park service is strict (be good), and all campgrounds require reservations (no car-camping, unfortunately). The Marin RV park is by far the best for public transportation - a 10 minute walk to the Larkspur Ferry. Along the way, keep an eye out for elephant seals, dolphins, sea lions, and whales in the waves below. Meanwhile, fall is the best season for a bioluminescence tour (from $95 for 4 hours). Itâs a (kind of) short walk to the beach, but you'll be glad you made the trek once you get there. More Info Less Info. % of the Hipcamps for your dates are already booked. Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve, Vallejo, The best swimming pools in the San Francisco Bay Area. It also has drinking water on-site (thatâs big), so don't have to worry about lugging water jugs across the Golden Gate Bridge. This is one of the most quintessential camping spots in driving distance from SF. Each is unique both in the camping experience and the type of beach adjacent to camp. Head to Mt. You’ll find no rowdy groups or loud music here: There are just two hike-in sites, making it one of the most intimate and unspoiled camping destinations around. The best part? The grounds include hiking and biking trails populated by wildflowers and wild turkeys, picnic areas, and the burbling Lagunitas Creek. For a slightly less rugged excursion, book one of Mount Tam’s 10 cabins, each over 75 years old. It has quick access to scenic hikes (including one with a waterfall!). 33 reviews of Steep Ravine Environmental Campground "I've spent a lot of time camping and I don't think I've ever been in an established camp site as beautiful as Steep Ravine. I think you really have to accept that the accommodations, wherever you stay near the city, will not be the best and it is really just place to lay your head. The Park also includes beautiful hiking trails. At Kirby Cove, you don’t have to trek miles into the woods to find a peaceful preserve; you just have to cross the bridge. On your way up to the campground, stop at some of the famous oyster-shucking stands â it's all super fresh. Angel Island State Park is a quick ferry ride from downtown (though you’ll need to book far in advance), and campsites are available … Get the latest news on âs fitness scene. Your best bet is on the western edge of Juniper Camp, where the sites are farther apart and it’s easy to glimpse the wide-open, starry sky. But if you canât gift them THAT, then here are a few of the next best things. Though the Coast camp is easiest to reach, Wildcat is beloved for its privacy (expect to lose cell service quickly) and sprawling ocean views. At Tomales Bay, you can kayak in to one of 20 dispersed campsites dotting the western shore. Pitch a tent in the big city or rough it in the challenging backcountry in the diverse Bay Area. Once you’re settled, you’re centrally located for a wide range of hikes, with access to redwood groves and craggy cliffs. So lace up your hiking boots, strap on your backpack and head one of these top spots for camping near San Francisco. The best part of staying here though is the stunning views you get across the bay. Steep Ravine Cabins. (Free showers don’t hurt, either.) 25 Luxurious Camping Spots Close to the Bay Area. Enjoy some foggy coastal campgrounds with barking seals, wake up surrounded by Redwoods, or drive inland for spectacular landscapes and Silicon … Nature lovers come to Big Basin to commune with the redwoods, which tower over the campgrounds. California is an outdoor playground ripe with hikes, amazing views, and beautiful places to pitch a tent. Tamalpais State Park. Novato RV Park: A privately-owned campground with 68 sites, 25 miles north of San Francisco. Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground is the biggest and the best, with 189 campsites. Petaluma KOA: They call it "San Francisco North" but it's located 39 miles north of the city. With popular landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge or its namesake urban park and a host of other urban attractions, camping typically isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about exploring the San Francisco Bay Area. It doesnât require a hike in, but the park has plenty of woodsy trails and walking paths to check out. There are many, many options for camping around this site along Highway 1 (even in your car on the side of the road). A four-hour drive north, this national park gives campers the option to backpack the trails around its lakes, or settle into a waterside campsite complete with hammocks. Four campsites are available and campers can enjoy the nearby coarse ⦠By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. 1 of 22 Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas did not make the top 20 spots for Ah, San Francisco. Otherwise, post up by Echo Lake for a few days out in the wild. It's near … These 10 Amazing Camping Spots Around San Francisco Are An Absolute Must See. INN TOWN CAMPGROUND (3 HOURS) Best for: Family camping minus the hard work Cost: From $85 per night The Inn Town Campground outside Nevada City has a little something for everyone: a campground for tents, RV hookups and, yes, glamping tents with fluffy beds, heated mattress pads and a 3,000-square-foot space called The Commons with a camp store, bathrooms and a ⦠Try another? It's a decent place to start a hike and they have camping space available too. The only campground within the city limits of San Francisco, Rob Hill serves as an urban getaway for locals and visitors alike. TripSavvy / Melissa Zink. Before you head out, check whether campfires are allowed, many of these places prohibit them. Campsites are open from April to October, so notify your crew in and plan on being one of the first to call in early February when the reservation phone lines open. These experiences are best for hiking & camping tours in San Francisco: Hike from above to below the iconic Golden Gate; Hidden Gardens and 16th Avenue / 16 Avenue Tiled Steps Urban Hike; Amazing Three Days Sahara Tour From Marrakech & Atlas mountain; Hidden Stairways of San Francisco; 3-Day Yosemite Camping Adventure from San Francisco RELATED STORIES. Best Camping in San Francisco on Tripadvisor: Find 128 traveler reviews, 38 candid photos, and prices for camping in San Francisco, California, United States. Several public parks near San Francisco have full RV hookups, including the Sycamore Grove Campground at Mendocino National Forest which has 30 campsites with full hookups that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. Kirby Cove Camp, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 2. 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