Pet friendly camping near Berkeley, California offers multiple options within a short drive of the city. The region sits at the edge of the East Bay hills with elevations ranging from sea level up to 3,849 feet at Mt. Diablo's summit. Nights can be considerably colder than days, with temperature drops of 15-20 degrees common even during summer months.
What to Do
Hiking with dogs on Mt. Tam: At Pantoll Campground, you can access numerous trails with your leashed pet. "From Pantoll you have very easy access to the summit of Mt. Tamalpais, easy access Stinson Beach and the coast, plus you can even skip the long lines and shuttles to get into Muir Woods," notes Michael I.
Wildlife viewing from camp: Samuel P. Taylor State Park campground offers natural encounters with local fauna. "There are all kinds of trails available, as well as a paved path that runs for at least a mile or so along the creek, that used to be the old railroad line through that area," explains Joseph F., who adds that you can spot "lots of birds and wildlife–beware says the sign...all the signs, but I mostly only saw turkeys and a few water birds."
Beach exploration with pets: Take a day trip from your campsite to nearby coastal areas. "The location is really convenient given that the ferry and bus stops are within walking distance (10 min walk or 5 min drive)," mentions Luc M. about Marin RV Park, making it easy to access San Francisco and coastal attractions.
What Campers Like
Convenient urban proximity: At Live Oak Campground, campers appreciate being close to the city while still enjoying nature. "This was a great campsite for people that want to go hiking near Berkeley or SF and have a car. They had a good number of spots to camp with grills at each site," reports Ethan K.
Solitude in peak season: Some campsites remain less crowded even during busy times. "Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty. The sites are fairly close to each other, which matters because one of the other campers is right next to mine (46) and doesn't understand basic camp etiquettes," writes Ryan W. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Free overnight options: Budget campers appreciate no-cost alternatives near tourist spots. "This place is amazing in busy San Francisco where camping is so expensive! Parked here and had friends from the city come pick me up to spend the day together and then dropped me back off at night to sleep. Felt very safe with all the other campers around," shares Kathy B. about the H. Dana Bower Rest Area.
What You Should Know
Weather variations: The region experiences significant microclimates. "During the day you'll have lots of people walk semi/sorta by the campground, but there is no reason that anyone would walk through your area as if they did they'd tumble off and down the side of a nice steep hill. One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers," advises Kathleen C. about Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve.
Poison oak awareness: Many parks have this hazardous plant. "Also, lots of poison oak in the unmaintained areas and off the trails, so be aware," warns Joseph F. at Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
Ticks on trails: "While you can get down to the lake easily, there's no swimming for either dogs or humans. Keep in mind that if you walk the single track trails with your dogs, you'll be spending some quality time with them later picking off ticks," cautions Lori T.
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose sites away from road noise: At Pantoll Campground, "sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot," according to Erin S., who adds that it "has a fire pit, picnic table, and a flat spot to pitch a tent."
Select less crowded weekdays: For pet-friendly camping with children, timing matters. "Our 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," notes a camper called "Twindaddy" at Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Plan for limited privacy: Most campgrounds have closely spaced sites. "The settings at Tilden Park is not what I would typically seek when I want to 'get out there', but for its close proximity to the urban areas of the East Bay, it is a pretty good option. There are lots of turkeys, and watch out for poison oak on the trails," suggests holland G.
Tips from RVers
Reserve premium spots early: At H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound, overnight parking requires strategy. "The rest area was surprisingly quiet given its location. There was ample parking, and thankfully, the parking spots weren't illuminated by bright street lamps, which was a nice touch considering we stopped her to sleep," explains Royce C.
Prepare for tight spaces: RV parks near urban areas often have compact sites. "For what this RV park is designed to be, it is done very well. It's a parking lot with full hookups strategically located to public transit direct to San Francisco. It's surprisingly quiet for being in a semi industrial area right next to the 101," explains David M. about Marin RV Park.
Check hookup requirements: "No generators are allowed which isn't an issue since there are full hookups at all 12 RV sites. All sites seemed relatively level. We stayed in site #5. Sites #1-4 back up to the Towhee Trail, so expect hikers to pass by close behind you. The better sites are #5-12 with #11 and #12 being the best," advises Lori T.
Guide
