Best Campgrounds Near San Francisco
20 hand-picked camping destinations curated for families visiting REI San Francisco. Each campground selected for quality, scenery diversity, and memorable experiences.
Showing 20 campgrounds
Featured Picks
Steep Ravine Campground
Steep Ravine is one of the most spectacular quick-getaway options from San Francisco, pairing misty redwood groves with dramatic ocean cliffs and a pocket beach below. Its high rating and solid review count reflect how memorable the setting is, and short trails to the beach plus access to Mount Tamalpais hiking make it a standout for adventurous families.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
Henry Cowell Redwoods offers classic towering redwoods plus easy access to the San Lorenzo River, giving families both shady forest hikes and popular swimming holes. With strong ratings and many reviews, it is a reliable, full-featured campground for hiking, biking, wading, and fishing within a comfortable day-trip drive of San Francisco.
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is uniquely San Francisco, with a forested cove, sandy beach, and iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and city skyline. Its short access hike, beachfront setting, and strong reviews make it an unforgettable first camping experience for families who want big scenery without a long drive.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park adds a very different feel from the coast and redwoods, with oak woodlands, chaparral ridges, and a creek-fed waterfall in the Sonoma hills. Its excellent rating and diverse trail network make it ideal for families who want views, starry skies, and creekside exploring in a classic California foothill setting.
Gerle Creek
Gerle Creek delivers the full Sierra weekend experience: pine forest, granite-lined creek, and access to a small reservoir for paddling and swimming. Its very high rating, large number of reviews, and mix of hiking, water play, and fishing make it a top choice for families ready to venture into the mountains for a longer trip.
Mackerricher State Park Campground
MacKerricher State Park offers a wild North Coast feel with long beaches, tide pools, seal viewing, Lake Cleone, and rich birdlife, all backed by strong ratings and many reviews. It complements closer coastal options by giving families a more remote, wildlife-focused ocean adventure for a full weekend away.
More to Explore
Pantoll Campground
Pantoll is a classic Mount Tamalpais redwood and Douglas-fir campground with immediate access to an extensive trail network leading toward Stinson Beach and Muir Woods. It is ideal for families who want a quick, cooler forest escape with lots of hiking options.
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only (Auxiliary Engine Ok)
Aquatic Park Cove is a unique urban option where families with a sailboat can anchor overnight inside the San Francisco Bay, steps from Fisherman’s Wharf. Strong reviews and protected waters make it a special choice for paddling and swimming-focused boat camping close to the city.
Hawk Campground
Hawk Campground sits on a quiet ridge above the Marin Headlands, surrounded by coastal hills and grasslands with big views. It offers a more backcountry-style experience still close to San Francisco, with access to beaches like Tennessee Beach and Rodeo Beach via hiking trails.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground
Samuel P. Taylor State Park combines towering redwoods with Lagunitas Creek and a popular multiuse path, making it great for families who want to bike and walk under the trees. Its high review count and close-to-city location make it a reliable go-to for first-time campers.
Francis Beach Campground
Francis Beach Campground in Half Moon Bay offers easy car camping with direct access to wide sandy beaches and the coastal trail. Its very strong popularity and family-friendly layout make it perfect for groups wanting a classic beach camping experience without a long drive.
Portola Campground
Portola Redwoods’ main campground sits in a lush redwood basin with clear streams and allowed swimming, offering a cooler, quieter alternative to some of the busier redwood parks. It is a strong choice for families who want shaded hiking and creek play within a day-trip distance.
Wright's Beach Campground
Wright's Beach puts campsites just steps from the sand along a dramatic stretch of the Sonoma Coast, ideal for storm watching, beach walking, and coastal hiking. Its excellent ratings and direct oceanfront feel make it a favorite for families who prioritize scenery over swimming.
Putah Canyon Campground- Napa, Ca (Bor)
Putah Canyon Campground offers waterfront sites on Lake Berryessa, giving families direct access to warm-water swimming and boating. Its high use and solid ratings make it a good option when coastal sites are foggy or full, and it adds a true reservoir experience to the mix.
Juniper Campground
Juniper Campground on Mount Diablo provides sweeping Bay Area vistas, open grasslands, and oak woodlands, contrasting nicely with forested coastal sites. It is a strong pick for families who enjoy summit hikes, sunset views, and stargazing close to home.
Liberty Glen (Lake Sonoma)
Liberty Glen overlooks Lake Sonoma from a forested ridge, with access to a large reservoir for paddling, swimming, and fishing. It is a good family basecamp for combining lake time with wine-country day trips and hillside hiking.
North Grove Campground
North Grove Campground at Calaveras Big Trees showcases giant sequoias alongside pines and firs, giving families a bucket-list big tree experience. With creek access and easy interpretive trails, it is a great educational and scenic weekend destination.
Limekiln State Park Campground
Limekiln State Park in Big Sur packs thousand-year-old redwoods, a dramatic creek canyon, historic lime kilns, and a small beach into a compact park. It is a spectacular option for families seeking a dramatic coastal road trip with short, rewarding hikes.
Big Meadow - Us Forest Service Stanislaus National Forest (Ca)
Big Meadow Campground in Stanislaus National Forest offers open alpine meadows, views of Sierra peaks, and access to nearby lakes like Lake Alpine and Spicer Meadow Reservoir. It is ideal for families who want a classic high-country weekend with hiking, fishing, and cold lake swims.
Kelsey Creek Campground
Kelsey Creek Campground sits between Clear Lake and Kelsey Slough, offering warm-water swimming, boating, and excellent birdwatching. Its combination of trails, shoreline access, and good ratings makes it a versatile weekend base for active families.
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