Where to Go Camping Near San Francisco (By a Local)

Escape urban life at one of these stunning campsites near San Francisco.

I’m a Bay Area local and I’ve grown up camping in the mountains, beaches, and redwood forests of Northern California.

I’ve been to nearly every campsite on this list. Believe it or not, some of the best places to camp in California are located within an hour from San Francisco! And did you know there’s even a picturesque campground located in the city of San Francisco? I’ll spill the beans in this article.

Lace up your hiking boots, pack your backpack, and let’s go camping! 

15 Places to Go Camping Near San Francisco

Kirby Cove Campground

This small campground across the Golden Gate Bridge with epic views and its own beach is my all-time favorite camping destination.

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Kirby Cove Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: pit toilets, picnic tables, BBQ, fire pit, food locker, beach access

Kirby Cove is a San Francisco icon. This campsite in the Marin Headlands is practically underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and boasts gorgeous views of San Francisco’s skyline. Campsites are located in a meadow just steps from Kirby Cove Beach, which is perfect for swimming or lounging. 

Kirby Cove is a tent-only site, so RVs are not allowed. The campsite is a 300-yard walk from the parking area, so I’d recommend bringing a wagon to transport your gear. 

Reservations are required, and they’re notoriously hard to snag. The best way to get a reservation is to be online right when sites are released, which happens 3 months in advance. Kirby Cove often closes in the winter, so check the website to make sure the campground is open before you plan your trip. 

Angel Island State Park

Camp on the San Francisco Bay’s largest natural island with 360-degree views.

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Angel Island State Park Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: Pit toilets, picnic tables, BBQ, food locker, beach access

Angel Island is one of the top California campgrounds, and it’s only 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. From Angel Island, you can enjoy beachfront campgrounds with panoramic views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the East Bay. The island even has a cafe, museum, and visitor center. 

You cannot drive to Angel Island — you have to take a ferry. Ferries leave from San Francisco and cost $30 round trip. There is cell service available everywhere on the island. Campfires are not allowed. 

The island has 3 different campgrounds: the East Bay, Ridge, and Sunrise sites. East Bay sites have views of the East Bay hills, but not San Francisco. The Sunrise and Ridge sites have the best views of San Francisco. All sites are hike-in, so be prepared to walk 1-2 miles from the ferry landing. 

Bicentennial Campground

This campsite has it all: rolling green hills, stunning city views, ocean sunsets, and a historic lighthouse. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Bicentennial Campground Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: pit toilets, picnic tables, BBQ, food locker

Bicentennial Campground is located in the Marin Headlands, an idyllic land of rolling green hills. This is one of my favorite day trips from SF. You’ll feel miles away from city life, yet you’ll still enjoy views of the San Francisco skyline. 

The campground is quite small: there are only 3 campsites, which accommodate a maximum of 3 guests each. Campsites are in a grove of cypress trees, which provide shelter from any coastal winds. There is a parking lot adjacent to the campground, but all sites are tent-only. RVs are not allowed.

Bicentennial Campground is located on coastal bluffs with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. Hiking trails nearby lead to the historic Point Bonita Lighthouse or down to Rodeo Beach.

Mt. Diablo State Park

Camp on the tallest mountain in the Bay Area with views for miles. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Mt. Diablo State Park Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: showers, flush toilets, BBQ, picnic table, parking lot onsite 

Mt. Diablo State Park is vastly underrated. I’ve spent countless hours hiking Mt. Diablo’s many trails and enjoying stunning views over the East Bay. The peace and quiet you feel here is unmatched. 

Mt. Diablo has two different campgrounds: Juniper and Live Oak. Cars and RVs up to 20 feet are allowed, but there are no electric hookups. 

Juniper Campground is located high on the mountain, close to the Mt. Diablo Summit Trail. Stay at Juniper for an easy trek to the summit and epic sunset views from your tent. 

Live Oak Campground is only 15 minutes from the park entrance. It’s closer to Rock City, a crazy landscape of caves, tunnels, and crags. Stay at Live Oak to enjoy the area’s rock climbing, bouldering, and family-friendly activities. 

👉 Local Tip: Mt. Diablo campsites don’t sell out quickly, so they make a great option for anyone looking for a last-minute camping getaway. The best time to camp on Mt. Diablo is during the spring when wildflowers practically explode along the trails and hikers enjoy a temperate climate. 

Rob Hill Campground

Camp at San Francisco’s only national park inside the city.

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 0 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Rob Hill Campground Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: fire pit, BBQ, picnic tables, food locker, potable water, flush toilets

Imagine waking up at your campsite, having a cup of coffee on the beach, and then going to work. You can do that at Rob Hill, the only campground in San Francisco. 

Rob Hill is a group campground, with 4 sites accommodating up to 30 people each. The campground is located in a sun-drenched glen in the Presidio of San Francisco, a wilderness enclave owned by the National Park Service. 

Within the Presidio, miles of easy hiking trails can take you to the beach, a golf course, a bowling alley, restaurants, and the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Rob Hill is a great camping option for folks of all abilities. The campground has fully accessible walkways, parking areas, toilets, and campsites. It’s tent only, so RVs are not allowed. 

Francis Beach Campground

Wake up on coastal bluffs with ocean views in the quaint beach town of Half Moon Bay. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Half Moon Bay State Beach Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: RV hookups, toilets, showers, beach access, picnic tables, BBQ

Francis Beach Campground is located in stunning Half Moon Bay, a small coastal city on the San Francisco peninsula home to surfers, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts. 

This is one of the best spots to camp with an RV close to San Francisco. There are 50 different campsites, and over half of them have electric hookups available. There are many tent-only sites available as well. 

At Francis Beach, you’ll get to watch a beach sunset from the comfort of your campsite and wake up just steps from the ocean. Half Moon Bay’s charming main street is only a short walk away. Here, you can browse coffee shops, bakeries, secondhand shops, and bookstores.

Steep Ravine Cabins and Environmental Campground

This is the most sought-after campground in the Bay Area, with unparalleled solitude and epic ocean views. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Mt. Tamalpais State Park Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations (tent area, cabin area) | 🚰 Amenities: toilets, picnic table, BBQ, fire ring, food locker, beach access

Steep Ravine campground is tucked into the rugged bluffs of the gorgeous Marin coastline, just steps away from a secluded private beach. Visitors can choose from hike-in campsites or rustic cabins. Both areas have flush toilets, sinks, and uninterrupted ocean views. 

Cabins can accommodate up to 5 people, but you need to bring your own bedding. Each cabin has an indoor table, a wood stove, and an outdoor BBQ. Cabins are reserved via a lottery system. You need to sign up well in advance if you want a chance of winning a reservation. 

Campsites are located about a 200-yard walk from the parking lot. RVs are not allowed. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and a fire ring. 

Be prepared for all kinds of weather — the Northern California coast can be cold, foggy, and windy. Bring lots of layers and blankets, and you’ll be all set to enjoy an unforgettable camping trip! 

Wildcat Campground

Hike to a waterfall on the beach from this stunning campground in Point Reyes National Seashore. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Wildcat Campground Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: toilets, picnic table, food locker, beach access 

Wildcat Campground is one of my all-time favorite campgrounds to visit. Campsites are located in a grassy meadow with stunning ocean views. Tule elk graze nearby, and vibrant wildflowers bloom in the springtime. 

The campground is a 5.5-mile hike from Palomarin Trailhead in Bolinas. You cannot access it by car — you have to hike in. It’s a relatively easy hike, with little elevation and gorgeous coastal views throughout. Visitors are rewarded with an isolated campground away from any crowds.

The best part of Wildcat Campground is access to the famous Alamere Falls, a unique waterfall that flows directly into the ocean. This rare natural wonder is just a short walk down the beach from the campground. 

Coast Campground

A hidden gem campground in Point Reyes with basic amenities and beach access. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Destination Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: toilets, picnic tables, food locker, BBQ 

Coast Campground is another beautiful campsite on Point Reyes National Seashore’s remote coastline. Getting a reservation here is usually easier than at the popular Wildcat Campground. I stayed here and only saw three other campers the whole time. 

None of the campsites at Coast Campground overlook the ocean, but the beach is just a 5-minute walk away. The campsites are surrounded by trees, making them well protected from coastal winds. 

Coast campground is a 2-mile hike from the Laguna Trailhead. You’ll need a good backpack to transport your tent, sleeping bag, and other gear. The Osprey Kyte 48 backpack is my preferred pack for short overnight trips. 

Pantoll and Bootjack Campgrounds

These two campgrounds close to Mt. Tamalpais’s summit are a great starting point for hiking, biking, and waterfall-chasing.

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Mt. Tamalpais State Park Website | ⛺ Reservations: first-come, first-serve | 🚰 Amenities: flush toilets, potable water, fire pit, BBQ, picnic table, food locker

Mt. Tamalpais is one of the best spots for hiking, mountain biking, waterfall-viewing, and dramatic ocean vistas. You can find first-come, first-serve camping at two spots on the mountain: Pantoll Campground and Bootjack Campground. 

Pantoll Campground has a central location right next to several popular trailheads. Bootjack Campground is less than a half-mile down the road. Neither campground has any scenic views, but the nearby hiking trails have gorgeous views over the Pacific Ocean. 

Sites can fill up quickly on the weekends, so get there as early as possible to secure a spot — like before 5 pm on a Friday. RVs are not allowed at the campsites. 

Sunset State Beach Campground

A family-friendly campground with tons of amenities and a beautiful beach. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Destination Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: flush toilets, showers, potable water, BBQ, fire pit, picnic tables, food lockers 

Sunset State Beach Campground is a great place to camp with kids. In fact, this is where I grew up camping with my family! 

Sunset Campground has over 90 campsites nestled between tall pine trees, with the beach just a 5-minute walk away. Have fun racing down the gigantic sand dunes, playing in the waves, or watching a gorgeous beach sunset. RVs are allowed at this campground, but there are no electric hookups. 

Sunset Beach is between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey, two of the best coastal towns in Northern California. Camping at Sunset is a great base for exploring these famous beach towns. 

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground

Camp beneath redwood trees at this stunning campground in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour 20 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: ADA accessible sites, showers, flush toilets, potable water, picnic tables, food locker, fire pit, BBQ 

⚠️ Closure Notice: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground is currently closed through March 2026.

Fancy waking up beneath the tallest trees in the world? Camp at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, a fantastic campground hidden amongst old-growth redwood trees. 

Henry Cowell has a very large campground, with 107 different sites suitable for tents or RVs. There are several ADA-accessible sites. The campground feels quite distant from urban life, yet downtown Santa Cruz is only 10 minutes away. 

For a unique and family-friendly experience, ride the Roaring Camp steam train. These trains take off from Henry Cowell and travel through dramatic mountain gorges before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. 

Tomales Bay Boat-In Campgrounds

A unique and solitary beach campsite only accessible by kayak or motorboat.  

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 1 hour 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Tomales Bay Boat-In Camping Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: vault toilets 

I love kayaking on Tomales Bay, but spending the night here is where the truly magical experience begins. Camping in Tomales Bay lets you experience its nightly bioluminescence, where the waters glow blue and light up with microscopic wildlife. 

All campsites in Tomales Bay are boat-in only. Several service roads lead to various camping beaches, but you cannot drive to the campground. You must boat in by kayak or motorboat. Be prepared to bring all supplies with you. The campsites have no amenities. 

Check out this escorted kayak camping tour from Blue Waters Kayaking if you’ve never kayak-camped before and want to go with a group. I’ve rented kayaks from them before and appreciate their commitment to safety and local knowledge of the area!

Back Ranch Meadows Campground

This hidden gem campground is inside a quiet state park on the northern end of the San Francisco Bay.

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | China Camp State Park Website | ⛺ Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: picnic table, fire ring, food locker, toilets 

Back Ranch Meadows Campground is located in a beautiful glen underneath the shade of oak trees. It’s in one of the Bay Area’s less-crowded state parks, China Camp State Park.

China Camp State Park is an old fishing village where Chinese immigrants settled in the late 1800s. The state park today has an interesting museum on site that tells the stories of these early fishermen. It’s also home to a wildlife refuge for estuarine research. 

Campsites are hike-in only, so no cars or RVs are allowed. The campground is only about 100 yards from the nearby parking lot. 

While the campground itself does not have views of the Bay, it’s only a 2-mile walk to the beach along some beautiful tree-lined trails. Here, you can go windsurfing and swimming. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding and mountain biking on China Camp’s extensive trail system.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

Camp underneath redwood trees in the middle of the city. 

🗺️ Distance from San Francisco: 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park Website | ⛺ Reservations: call 1-888-327-2757, option 2 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Pacific Time) | 🚰 Amenities: toilets, fire pit, BBQ, picnic tables

Many people don’t know this, but you can camp in a beautiful tree-filled park just 10 minutes from downtown Oakland. Redwood Regional Park protects a grove of towering redwood trees that instantly makes you feel like you’re miles into the forest. It’s one of my favorite underrated regional parks in the East Bay!

The park has two campsites, Fern Dell and Trail’s End. These campgrounds are both group sites. You can have up to 50 people at Fern Dell, and up to 25 at Trail’s End. Both sites require hiking to get to, but the trail is flat so you can easily carry your supplies in a wagon or wheelbarrow. RVs and cars are not allowed. 

You’ll need to call to reserve a spot at one of these campsites. They are usually closed in the winter and open in the late spring, summer, and fall. 

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Enjoy your camping trip! Remember, the best part of living in Northern California is that an outdoor adventure is never too far away.

Want to tackle some of the Bay Area’s best hiking during your outdoor getaway? Check out these 25 epic hikes near San Francisco next.