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Best Campgrounds near Alameda, CA

723 Reviews

The San Francisco Bay Area surrounding Alameda offers a mix of established campgrounds and urban camping options within an hour's drive. Anthony Chabot Regional Park, located in the Castro Valley hills, provides both tent and RV sites with some hookups available, while sites like Kirby Cove Campground in Golden Gate National Recreation Area offer more rustic tent camping experiences with views of the Bay. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles with most sites requiring advance reservations, especially during summer and holiday weekends. The region includes several RV parks like San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica and Candlestick RV Park in San Francisco for travelers seeking urban proximity.

Camping in the Bay Area typically requires planning ahead due to the limited number of sites and high demand. Most established campgrounds operate year-round with mild coastal temperatures, though winter brings more rainfall and occasional site closures. As one camper noted, "Anthony Chabot Campgrounds sits high up on the Castro Valley Hills overlooking Lake Chabot with several awesome hiking trails going down to the lake as well as some equestrian trails." Many public campgrounds enforce quiet hours, fire restrictions, and pet policies that vary by location. Cell service can be spotty in hillside locations like Mount Diablo State Park, while urban RV parks generally offer better connectivity but may present safety considerations in certain neighborhoods.

Campers report particular satisfaction with campgrounds featuring eucalyptus groves and lake views. Anthony Chabot's sites receive consistently positive reviews for cleanliness and maintenance, with one visitor highlighting that it offers "warm showers, and scores of dedicated staff who genuinely care about this place." Sites are generally well-spaced compared to private RV parks closer to San Francisco. Urban camping options near Alameda tend to be more utilitarian with varying reviews regarding safety and atmosphere. Angel Island State Park's Sunrise Campground stands out for its unique boat-in access and exceptional views of San Francisco, though it lacks RV accommodations. For tent campers seeking natural settings, the East Bay hills provide the most peaceful options within reasonable driving distance of Alameda.

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Best Camping Sites Near Alameda, California (148)

    1. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    29 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $25 - $200 / night

    "as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"

    "Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."

    2. Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $40 - $75 / night

    "The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."

    "If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"

    3. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

    "Campsites are walk in throughout the island.  Remember there will be fog and there will be wind. We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "

    4. San Francisco RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Pacifica, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "If you want a great little place with quick easy access to San Francisco that has a great view of the ocean this place is great! And affordable!"

    "Very nice park for an on the water location, I've been to some where you can't even turn without hitting someone."

    5. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    11 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    12 miles
    Website

    "I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."

    "Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."

    6. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground

    27 Reviews
    Half Moon Bay, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 726-8819

    $35 - $165 / night

    "We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."

    "Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas. small but good size sites for where it is."

    7. Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Diablo, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (925) 837-2525

    $30 / night

    "This mountain has many of hiking trails for various levels of hikers."

    "Live Oak is the closest to the entrance (and town), and features some cool rock formations to explore, but it's colder, has terrible cellular data service, and doesn't quite have the sunset / sunrise views"

    8. Candlestick RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Brisbane, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 822-2299

    "Or Muni which takes about double the time including walk to the station. Great WiFi. It's a parking lot with close neighbors. Nice and clean facilities."

    9. Rob Hill Campground

    4 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 561-5083

    $105 - $170 / night

    "Stumbled across this campground by accident a few weeks ago as we were hiking around The Presidio. It was quite the hidden gem set amidst a stunning cypress and eucalyptus grove."

    "Accessible to many trails."

    10. Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 / night

    "All three sites here are next to each other and have no seperation, but if you’re okay with that it’s a wonderful place to camp Site 3 is closest to the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the trails connected"

    "It has great hiking nearby and an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city. you definitely want to reserve a space well in advance, especially during peak"

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Recent Camping Photos near Alameda, CA

200 Photos of 148 Alameda Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Alameda, CA

723 Reviews of 148 Alameda Campgrounds

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    San Francisco RV Resort

    Close to City

    We stayed here as we had baseball game tickets in SF during our RV trip. Close to city and in a safe area. Liked sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves and was able to use full hookups.

    Bathrooms were pretty dirty - not as pictured. Although I liked that the showers locked. Rec area was very run down. Laundry has mobile payment and was clean and accessible.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Pantoll

    Very nice small campground on Mt Tam. All sites are a small walk up on a hill kind of steep. Ranger station at parking lot that sells firewood. Water faucets, bathrooms. No showers. Bear lockers.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Very quite/ beautiful sites

    We’re hoping to get a spot with less of a hill to climb but on the top it’s a nice flat terrain. Nice view some campsites are closer to watch other than others.

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground

    Friendly and quiet

    Was able to book the night before and get the last full hookup spot. The man who checked us in was super friendly and answered all of my partners questions and even helped us with some basic RV knowledge as we’re new.

    Redwoods are super pretty. Area outside of the RV park isn’t super walkable though. Bathrooms are fine for the price and very clean.

    Situated near the people who live in the park and they were super friendly and quiet.

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    Feels much more remote than it is

    Great campsite, awesome staff. Tucked away off highway 12 in wine country it feels much more remote than it actually is. It's a great fast getaway from the northbay, but it can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first serve sites too. Excellent hiking with both fairly flat trails, to challenging trails with lots of elevation change. It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. This is one of my favorite camping spots.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Olema Campground

    Nice spot, little privacy

    Lovely large meadow with scattered trees. RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields.

    Somewhat noisy - kids, dogs, radios - but settled down by 9. Friendly vibe. Expensive at $83/nt but good showers. Wifi was slow when I stayed.

    Decent backup option for the area if Samuel Taylor is booked.

Guide to Alameda

Camping near Alameda, CA, offers a great mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Beautiful trails nearby," making it a perfect spot for nature lovers.
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sun and surf at New Brighton State Beach Campground. A visitor shared, "Great views and easy access to the beach," highlighting the campground's prime location.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. One camper noted, "We were harassed by cute little chipmunks and birds," adding a fun twist to your camping experience.

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. A review for Bodega Dunes Campground stated, "Beautiful sunsets just a short walk away in the dunes."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers enjoy well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park mentioned, "The VERY cleanest restrooms, with the added convenience of hand soap!!"
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offer plenty of activities for kids. One parent said, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."

What you should know

  • Reservations: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground noted, "Always tough to get a reservation, but it never disappoints if you can get one."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A visitor at Anthony Chabot Regional Park shared, "We had two new types of visitors... a couple of wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food."
  • Weather Variability: The weather can change quickly, so pack accordingly. One camper at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground mentioned, "The only downsides... were the ticks and foxtails."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Amenities: Look for campgrounds with activities for children. A review for New Brighton State Beach Campground highlighted, "Lots of families and lots of kids."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A parent at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground advised, "You’re going to probably experience some of the most ridiculous first-time campers."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A camper at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground suggested, "Make sure you bring a padlock as there is no locking mechanism on the door."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park noted, "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great!"
  • Dump Station Availability: Look for campgrounds with dump stations. One camper at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA mentioned, "The dump station was in good working order."
  • Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure a peaceful stay. A review for Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground reminded, "The sites felt pretty spaced out, and didn't feel noisy at all."

Camping near Alameda, CA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there free camping options near Alameda?

Free camping near Alameda is limited, but there are some options within driving distance. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound offers free overnight parking with basic amenities like water and toilets, though it's intended for brief stays rather than extended camping. For more established camping at reasonable rates, consider Sanborn County Park, which offers a wallet-friendly camping experience with storage boxes, cart assistance for gear transport from parking areas, and well-maintained bathrooms. While not free, it provides good value in a beautiful setting relatively close to Alameda.

What amenities are available at Alameda campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Alameda offer a range of amenities to enhance your stay. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides beach access with clean facilities in a scenic coastal setting. For a different experience, Skyline Wilderness Park just outside Napa offers separate tent and RV camping areas, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. Most campgrounds in the region typically provide restrooms, potable water, and picnic tables. Some locations offer fire rings, dump stations for RVs, and shower facilities. Reservation systems are common at most established campgrounds in the area.

Where can I find camping in Alameda?

The main camping option in Alameda is the Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park, which offers convenient RV camping right off Highway 680. This fairgrounds location provides grassy sites, some with trees, and serves as one of the closest RV parks to San Francisco. For those seeking camping experiences beyond Alameda proper, Anthony Chabot Regional Park is nearby and offers family-friendly sites with access to trails, though watch for poison oak and star thistle just off the paths. Both locations provide good bases for exploring the greater Bay Area.

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