RV parks near Castro Valley, California sit at elevations ranging from sea level to 400 feet in San Francisco Bay's eastern shore microclimate. The region experiences mild temperatures year-round with summer highs rarely exceeding 80°F and winter lows seldom dropping below 45°F. Morning fog often burns off by midday, creating distinct camping conditions compared to inland locations.
What to do
Coastal hiking trails: Access miles of coastal paths from Pillar Point RV Park in Half Moon Bay. "Great spot right off the highway and on the beach. Lots of activities and places to eat within walking distance. Surfing, walking/bike trails, kayaking....Pet friendly," notes BRIAN O.
Whale watching: Watch for migrating whales from oceanfront sites during migration seasons. "When it's clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore. On the downside the 'campsites' are close together… it's more like a parking lot than a campground, but everyone is friendly and the overall vibe is good," shares Tom H.
Urban exploration via public transit: Use ferry and bus connections for car-free city visits. "30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF. Clean facilities but make no mistake about it... this is a parking lot with hook ups and the sites are in arms length in proximity to each other," explains Raf A.
What campers like
Expansive dog walking areas: Flag City RV Resort offers a huge fenced off-leash dog area. "Squeaky clean and organized. Nice pool and hot tub, nice laundry facilities (more than one!), moderately sized paved and level sites, nice store with a few local wines, AND HUGE fenced area to walk your dog OFF LEASH," writes Mary F.
Transportation options: Multiple rv parks Castro Valley visitors appreciate easy access to ferries and buses. "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," explains David M.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight meticulously maintained restrooms and showers. "Very nice campground, new tiled bath rooms. Not quiet though, lots of kids," reports Judith P. about Santa Cruz Ranch Campground.
What you should know
Tight spacing reality: Most sites provide minimal distance between rigs. "I think this park has potential but it seems like they are just trying to capitalize on quantity over quality. The other reviews are accurate about it just being a glorified parking lot. Most rigs have an excellent view of their next door neighbors slide out," explains Brodie D.
Price-to-value considerations: Bay Area camping commands premium rates. "Brilliantly located asking I-5 is this park. We paid $58 for the night, a clean concrete patch, small trees with little or no shade but full hookups. The free WiFi is for email checking only, you want better? You pay extra," notes Theo A.
Reservation challenges: Some parks use unconventional booking systems. "Reservation making is a pain since it's all via email/online. Spaces for rvs are unpaved and additional cars are on cement. Hookups are pretty fast away and needed my sewer extention," reports C.W. about Treasure Island MH and RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly options: Several parks offer safe biking opportunities for children. "We stayed 2 nights it was nice stop little spendy but that's Cali for ya good restaurants around," mentions Robert about Pillar Point RV Park, where biking paths connect to coastal trails.
Pool availability: Marin RV Park maintains a small pool area for families. "The area and people are great. Spots are a little tiny, and so is the pool. Well kept area and good community," explains Andrea T.
Long-term community feel: Some parks cultivate neighborhood environments. "We enjoyed our 4 week stay. We stayed thru the month of Nov 2021, and left Dec 3, 2021. The RV Park is clean and secure. There are many full time residents that take pride in their community and it shows," shares Gary R. about Half Moon Bay RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Request specific sites when possible. "We had an absolutely amazing time during our week-long stay at the RV Park. The place was impeccably clean and secure, and we were pleasantly surprised by how peaceful and quiet it was," notes Danial H.
Level site availability: Many parks offer concrete pads. "We stayed here in January 2024 and got a Passport America discount. The cement pad was plenty long enough for our 40' fifth wheel and unhooked F450. The utilities are on the back quarter of the pad. We needed 15' of sewer hose," shares MickandKarla W.
After-hours check-in procedures: Some parks provide streamlined late arrival options. "This RV park is great! We did a same day drop-in reservation for an overnight stay over the phone. After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance," explains Tony C.
