San Francisco Camping

San Francisco Camping Overview

California has literally thousands of campgrounds. Below, you'll find campgrounds from Bodega Bay to Mount Madonna with conveniences like flush toilets and showers, as well as popular and unique campgrounds to help you narrow the choice. These campgrounds include National Parks, State Parks, National Forests, State Forests, County Parks and privately owned resorts. Camping locations in the San Francisco region include sites at historic locations, recreational lakes, active harbors, along the shores of State Beaches, on the headlands overlooking the Pacific and in lush redwood forests. We've included as much detail as possible so you have a better idea of what to expect and whether reservations are required in advance.

PETS: Dogs are allowed at almost all campgrounds but must be kept on a leash, picked up after, and never left unattended. Most beach campgrounds allow dogs in the campground but not on the beach.

BEARS: Metal bear-proof lockers are provided in almost all campsites where bears are a problem. California bears do not attack people and should not be feared, but a great deal of space and respect should be given to a bear. Please visit our Tips page for more information on bears and other precautions to consider.

CAMPING CHECKLIST - download our checklist of camping essentials and you won't forget anything at home.

TIP: Looking for some late night campsite entertainment? Check out www.seasky.org for their celestial calendar including meteor showers.

San Francisco Campgrounds
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Westside is located on the west side of Bodega Harbor off Highway 1. Westside is the perfect spot for boaters and fishermen, offering a boat launch ramp, fish-cleaning station and boat-rinse station. Campground offers 47 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Boat launch and parking adjacent to campground. RV dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.

Westside
2400 Westshore Road
Bodega Bay, California 94923
(707) 785-3540
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Doran is located on the point of Bodega Bay off Highway 1. Doran offers a wide sandy beach separating Bodega Harbor from Bodega Bay. Activities include picnicking, kite flying, surfing, fishing, crabbing, golf and boating. Campground offers 121 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Boat launch and golf course are adjacent to the campground. Reservations recommended.

Doran
201 Doran Beach Road
Bodega Bay, California 94923
(707) 785-3540
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Samuel P. Taylor State Park is located 15 miles west of San Rafael off Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Camp is situated along side Papermill Creek. Activities include biking, hiking and horseback riding. The campground has 65 campsites for tent or RV and several group sites. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring with barbeque, flush toilets and showers. RV dumpstation and groceries onsite. Reservations recommended.

Samuel P. Taylor S.P.
Lagunitas, California 94938
(415) 488-9897
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Mount Tamalpais State Park is located off Highway in the hills above Stinson Beach. Mt. Tamalpais offers panoramic views of the San Francisco region including the Farallon Island and Mt. Diablo. Activities include biking, hiking, fishing and horseback riding. The campground has 10 primitive cabins, 7 campsites for tent only, one horse camp and two group sites. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring with barbeque and flush toilets. Reservations recommended.

Mount Tamalpais State Park
801 Panoramic Highway
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-2070
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Spring Lake is located in Santa Rosa off the Sonoma Highway 12. This 320 acre park features a swim lagoon and 72-acre lake offering swimming, fishing and boating. Paved and unpaved trails around the park a popular for walking, biking, jogging and mountain biking. Concession stand and lifeguards are located at the swim beach. Paddle boats and canoes can be rented from the concession stand. Fish species include large mouth bass, sunfish and catfish. Campground includes 31 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.

Spring Lake
391 Violetti Drive
Santa Rosa, California 94923
(707) 539-8092
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is located in Santa Rosa off Highways 128 & 29 between Calistoga and St. Helena. Activities at Bothe include camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking and horseback riding. Hiking trails head through a coastal redwood forest. A Visitor Center, early pioneer cemetery and picturesque creek are popular destinations for visitors. A swimming pool is available during the summer months. Triple Creek Horse Outfit offers the opportunity for horseback riding. Campground includes 50 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
3801 St. Helena Highway
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-4575
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is located in Kenwood off Highway 12. Activities at Sugarloaf include camping, picnicking, hiking, astronomy and horseback riding. Hiking trails follow Sonoma Creek through lush forest and meadow. Hiking destinations include Bald Mountain for panoramic views and a 25-foot waterfall. The Robert Ferguson Observatory offers powerful telescopes for public use. Triple Creek Horse Outfit offers the opportunity for horseback riding. Campground includes 50 sites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring and flush toilets. Reservations recommended.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road
Kenwood, CA 95452
(707) 833-5712
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Lake Berryessa is located north of San Francisco between St. Helena and Winters, off Highway 128. Camp is situated next to a large lake with plentiful recreation. Activities include boating, houseboating, water skiing, fishing, swimming and more. Fish include trout, salmon, bass, crappie and catfish. The campground has 104 campsites for tent or RV and several group sites. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring with barbeque, flush toilets and showers. The marina rents boats from jet skiis to houseboats. RV dumpstation, laundry, groceries and launch ramp onsite. Reservations recommended.

Lake Berryessa Resort
5800 Knoxville Road
Napa, California 94558
(707) 966-2161
Map  |   Call for Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Lake Solano is located between Winters and Lake Berryessa off Highway 128. Camp is situated next to the beautiful and increasingly popular Putah Creek. Activities include boating, fishing, camping, swimming, picnicking, biking, hiking and more. A small marina rents row boats for relaxing floats or pursuing Brown and Rainbow Trout that reside in the lake. The campground has 90 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Many sites include water, electric and sewer hookups. Dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.

Lake Solano
8685 Pleasants Valley Road
Winters, California 95694
(530) 795-2990
Map  |   Call for Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

China Camp State Park is located 4 miles east of San Rafael off North San Pedro Road. Camp is situated on San Francisco Bay at a historic Chinese camp. Activities include biking, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing and windsurfing. The campground has 30 walk-in campsites for tent only. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Reservations recommended.

China Camp S.P.
San Rafael, California 94901
(415) 456-0766
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Sandy Beach is located north of Antioch and east of Fairfield where Highways 12 and 160 converge. Camp is situated next to the Sacramento River. Activities include boating, fishing, windsurfing, sailing, camping, swimming, picnicking, biking, volleyball, horseshoes and more. A boat launch ramp offers access to the Sacramento River Delta and excellent fishing for catfish, sturgion, striped bass and salmon. The campground has 42 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring with barbeque, flush toilets and showers. Many sites include water, electric and sewer hookups. Dumpstation available. Reservations recommended.

Sandy Beach
2333 Beach Drive
Rio Vista, California 94571
(707) 374-2097
Map  |   Call for Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Half Moon Bay State Beach is located in Half Moon Bay off Kelly Avenue. Four camps are situated along smaller sandy beaches. Activities include horseback riding, picnicking, surfing, and surf fishing. This is the site of the world renowned 'Mavericks', with some of the largest waves on the globe. The campground has 52 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. RV dumpstation. Reservations recommended.

Half Moon Bay S.B.
95 Kelly Avenue
Half Moon Bay, California 94019
(650)726-8819
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Memorial Park is located between Highways 1 and 84 off Pescadero Creek Road. Three camps are situated in the redwoods along side Pescadero Creek. Activities include hiking, picnicking, fishing and swimming. Memorial Park has 158 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. RV dumpstation and general store on-site. Reservations recommended.

Memorial Park
9500 Pescadero Creek Road
Loma Mar, California 94021
(650) 879-0238
Map  |   Call for Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Mt. Diablo State Park is located five miles east of Danville and Interstate 680, off Diablo Road. Known for the astounding views of the Farallon Islands to Mount Lassen and Yosemite, from the top of Mount Diablo. Activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, and stargazing. Two campgrounds offer 32 campsites for tent or small RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Visitor center onsite. No dogs allowed. Reservations recommended.

Mt. Diablo S.P.
96 Mitchell Canyon Road
Clayton, California 94517
(925) 837-2525
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Anthony Chabot Park is located just a short distance east of Oakland off Redwood Road. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, golfing and target shooting. Two campgrounds offer 75 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Marina with restaurant, boat rentals and fishing supplies onsite. No boat launch for private boats available other than canoes, kayaks and rowboats. Reservations recommended.

Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Redwood Road & Skyline Boulevard
San Leandro, California 94578
(888) 327-2757
Map  |   Call for Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Lake Del Valle S.R.A. is located southeast of Livermore and Interstate 580, off Mines Road. Del Valle offers a 5-mile long lake and over 4,000 acres of oak-covered hills. Activities include boating, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and windsurfing. Campground has 154 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Some sites have water and sewer hook-ups for RVs. Visitor center, amphitheatre and marina with boat rentals onsite. Reservations recommended.

Lake Del Valle S.R.A.
7000 Del Valle Road
Livermore, California 94550
(925) 373-0332
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Sanborn is located west of Saratoga and Los Gatos off Highway 9, Big Basin Highway. Sanborn is situated on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains in lush woodlands. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, horseshoes and volleyball. Campground has 33 walk-in tent sites and 14 RV sites with water and electric hook-ups. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. RV dumpstation. Reservations recommended.

Sanborn
16055 Sanborn Road
Saratoga, California 95070
(408) 867-9959
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Joseph D. Grant is located east of San Jose off Highway 130. At 9,560 acres, J.D. Grant is Santa Clara's largest county park. Activities include camping, picnicking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, wildflower viewing and astronomy. A small lake and several small ponds offer fishing to the beginner fisherman. A nearby observatory offers astronomy programs. Campground has 40 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Reservations recommended.

Joseph D. Grant
18405 Mt. Hamilton Road
San Jose, California 95140
(408) 274-6121
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Henry W. Coe State Park is located 13 miles east of Morgan Hill and Highway 101, off East Dunne Avenue. Road is very narrow and windy. Coe is Norhtern California's largest State Park and offers of variety of terrain including high ridges, steep canyons, and many streams, ponds and lakes. Activities include fishing, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Campground has 20 campsites for tent or small RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring and flush toilets. Visitor center onsite. Reservations recommended.

Henry W. Coe S.P.
9000 East Dunne Avenue
Morgan Hill, California 95037
(408) 779-2728
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Butano State Park is located 5 miles southeast of Pescadero and Highway 101, off Cloverdale Road. Camp is situated among redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The main activity is hiking along the many ocean view trails. Nearby Pescadero State Beach offers beach access. Campground has 39 campsites for tent or small RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring and flush toilets. Visitor center onsite. Reservations recommended.

Butano S.P.
Pescadero, California 94060
(650) 879-2040
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Portola Redwoods State Park is located west of Saratoga and Highway 85, off Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard). Camp is situated next to two creeks and some of the tallest redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The main activity is hiking. Campground has 58 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Visitor center onsite. Reservations recommended.

Portola Redwoods S.P.
9000 Portola State Park Road
La Honda, California 94020
(650) 948-9098
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Big Basin Redwoods State Park is located northwest of Santa Cruz and Highway 9, off Highway 236 (Big Basin Way). Camps are situated next to creeks within a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Activities include hiking and backpacking along the many ocean view and waterfall abundant trails. Campgrounds offer a total of 188 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Groceries, visitor center and RV dumpstation onsite. Reservations recommended.

Big Basin Redwoods S.P.
21600 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, California 95006
(831) 338-8860
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located north of Santa Cruz and Graham Hill Road. Activities include hiking, horesback riding, mountain biking and fishing. The San Lorenzo River passes through the park and offers salmon and steelhead fishing in the winter. Campground has 113 campsites for tent or RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets and showers. Visitor center onsite. Reservations recommended.

Henry Cowell Redwoods S.P.
101 North Big Trees Park Road
Felton, California 95018
(831) 438-2396
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Uvas Canyon is located west of Morgan Hill at the end of Croy Road. Uvas Canyon is situated on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains in lush woodlands. Activities include camping, picnicking and hiking. Hiking trails within the park lead past several waterfalls. Fishing and boating is available at several nearby reservoirs. Campground has 25 campsites for tent or small RV. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring and flush toilets. Reservations recommended.

Uvas Canyon
8515 Croy Road
Morgan Hill, California 95037
(408) 779-9232
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Mount Madonna is located between Watsonville and Gilroy off Highway 152. Mt.Madonna is situated in a lush redwood forest. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking and archery. Visitor Center and archery range on-site. Campground has 118 campsites for tent or RV. Some sites have water and electric hook-ups. Amenities include a picnic table, fire ring, food locker, flush toilets and showers. RV dumpstation. Reservations recommended.

Mount Madonna
7850 Pole Line Road
Watsonville, California 95076
(408) 842-2341
Map  |   Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

ADDITIONAL more primitive campgrounds are located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Most offer a table, fire ring and vault toilets. Reservations required at some campgrounds.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Building 201, Fort Mason
San Francisco, California 94123
(415) 561-4700
Website  |   Other Ideas

Camping by Region
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