The San Francisco Bay Area is, without a doubt, one of the most diverse regions of the country, offering jaw-dropping redwood tree forests, an unmatched coastline, a beautiful urban core, and even a world-famous wine region. With so many different things to do, you’ll want to find the very best campgrounds in the San Francisco Bay Area for your next camping adventure.
For experienced campers and RV newbies alike, we’ll cover 8 hidden gem RV campgrounds in San Francisco, along with what makes each of them unique.
Best Campgrounds in the San Francisco Bay Area
Don’t worry if you don’t know yet what kind of camping experience you’re looking for. Take a look at our reviews of the eight best San Francisco campgrounds, and you’ll surely find something that resonates with you.
1. San Francisco RV Resort
If what you’re after is exploring San Francisco proper and its nearby attractions, then there is likely no better campground for you than San Francisco RV Resort. Located just 15 miles away from the Golden Gate Bridge, this oceanside campground features the stunning nature of the San Francisco Bay Area without forgetting about the incredible urban life of one of America’s most iconic cities.
This year-round resort offers plenty of amenities that will keep you busy in every season. Cool down in the resort’s pool during the summer, explore nearby Half Moon Bay in the fall, soak in the resort’s hot tub in the winter, and enjoy a sunny picnic at Golden Gate Park in the spring. No matter the time of year, there’s something exciting for you when you stay at San Francisco RV Resort. The nightly fee for an RV site starts at $114, and this resort does not allow tent camping.
2. Kirby Cove Campground
If you’re looking for a campsite with unbeatable views, take a closer look at Kirby Cove Campground. Located in Sausalito, CA, just five miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, this gorgeous campsite overlooks the San Francisco skyline and the world-famous California coastline. With its stunning views, this campsite offers a unique experience that makes it incomparable to any other campground in the country.
Kirby Cove Campground’s season runs from early March through the end of November, making this a good option for those looking for a campsite during the warmer months. The Bay Area’s mild weather will allow you to still go on nearby hikes, even in the apex of summer, so you can decide whether to stay on-site and soak in the views or go on a nearby adventure.
Keep in mind that the campground only allows non-electric tents, so you won’t be able to find RV parking here. Nightly rates for non-electric tents start at $40 per night, and visitors are limited to a maximum of three consecutive nights per stay.
3. Marin RV Park
Marin RV Park is an excellent option for those who want to experience San Francisco without having to deal with Carl on a regular basis. If you’re unfamiliar, “Carl” is what locals have nicknamed the thick layer of fog that covers the city most of the time. Located just 10 miles north of San Francisco, this RV park enjoys the sunny hills of Marin County without sacrificing proximity to the city.
This park offers basic amenities, including water and electrical RV hookups, free Wi-Fi, showers, and laundry facilities on-site. However, it doesn’t have a pool or hot tub, making this a better campsite for those who wish to go out and explore. Thanks to San Francisco’s temperate weather, you can enjoy San Francisco’s attractions at any time of year, like Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the museums at Golden Gate Park.
Marin RV Park is open year-round and charges $99 per night for RV parking. If you’re looking for a longer trip, you can book their weekly special for just $595.
4. Angel Island East Bay
Located on the beautiful Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay Area, this campground offers a one-of-a-kind camping experience. Accessible only by ferry, this island is a recluse from the outside world, with very few permanent settlers since it was last used as a U.S. immigration facility in the 1940s. Today, you can visit the U.S. Immigration Station Barracks Museum to learn more about the island or enjoy one of its many hiking and biking trails. Getting to this secluded island takes around 30 minutes by ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Terminal.
The Angel Island East Bay campground offers basic amenities for its visitors, like restrooms and picnic areas. It also features excursions like scuba diving, guided tours, and windsurfing, making this an excellent option in any season for wildlife and outdoor activity enthusiasts. While the park is open year-round, keep in mind that ferry options are limited outside of the high summer season. This campground can be an affordable option, with nightly rates for a tent starting at $30. This park doesn’t accept RVs.
5. Hawk Campground
If you’re looking to unplug and relax, then Hawk Campground is the right choice for you. Nestled in the Sausalito hills, just eight miles away from the Golden Gate Bridge, this campsite offers a nature-filled experience with limited cell service. Available from early March through late November, this Marin County campground can offer a welcome respite from the hectic pace of a busy city, especially during the hot summer months.
Hawk Campground only offers its “primitive campsite” spaces, each of which comes with a tent pad, a food locker, and a dedicated picnic site. Don’t expect a glamorous experience at this site, but instead, a nice break from the bustling San Francisco city life. Starting at just $25 per night, you can take advantage of all the benefits of rural life just minutes from the city.
6. Novato RV Park
Novato RV Park is a fantastic campground option just 25 miles away from San Francisco in Marin County. This campground will put you right in the middle of everything you could want in the North Bay, just minutes away from Muir Woods, Napa Valley, and Sonoma County. This will give you plenty of activities to do year-round, from wine tasting in the summer to bird watching in the winter.
This campground is only available for RV camping, and RV rates start at $90 per night. You can get a better deal of $1,450 per month if you choose to stay at this campground for a longer visit. As for amenities, you can expect all the essential RV amenities, like 30 and 50-amp electrical connections, Wi-Fi, and room for slide-outs. You can also enjoy some additional features like a restaurant and grocery store on-site.
7. Half Moon Bay RV Park
Beach aficionados looking for the perfect beach RV park in the San Francisco Bay Area will no doubt love Half Moon Bay RV Park. Located 33 miles south of San Francisco, this campground is perfectly situated for exploration of the San Rafael Peninsula, from the gorgeous coastline of Half Moon Bay to the impressive sequoias of Palo Alto. Plus, this RV park can help you organize the perfect activity for every season. Kayaking in the summer? Beach horseback riding in the fall? How about birdwatching in the winter or fishing in the spring? This park will assist with finding the best activity to suit your vacation.
Half Moon Bay RV Park is open year-round and offers amenities like laundry rooms, private showers and bathrooms, and a neighboring restaurant and pub. Nightly rates start at $75 for an RV and $23 for a tent.
8. San Francisco North/Petaluma
This beautiful campground is located in Sonoma County, just 34 miles away from the Golden Gate Bridge. Its stellar location makes San Francisco North/Petaluma one of the best campgrounds in the country, with privileged access to the stunning redwoods of Muir Woods, the gorgeous cliffs of Bodega Bay, and even the world-famous vineyards of Napa Valley. You can even take a convenient trip on the nearby Smart Train for a fast and easy ride into San Francisco for a day of urban exploring.
This RV resort offers enough amenities to appease campers with the highest of standards. From spending hot summer days by the pool to enjoying s’mores by the fire in the winter, this campsite has everything you’ll need. Whether you decide to go on a spring hike in a nearby national park or stay on-site for a cool fall night in, you’ll find there’s no shortage of activities to choose from. San Francisco North/Petaluma is open year-round, and prices start at $95 per night for an RV and $70 per night for a tent.
See the Bay Area with Cruise America
You’ve already taken the first step of researching the ideal camping location in the San Francisco Bay Area. Why not secure an RV rental today and lock in your next camping trip? With almost 130 locations and countless rental options, Cruise America is the best choice for your next camping adventure.
