Best Cabin Camping near El Cerrito, CA
Several cabin campgrounds surround El Cerrito, offering various accommodation options within an hour's drive. Steep Ravine Campground at Mount Tamalpais State Park provides rustic oceanfront cabins with separate bedrooms that can accommodate multiple guests. These cabins include wood-burning stoves but lack electricity, requiring visitors to bring lighting solutions. Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers cabin accommodations with electricity, outlets, and heating systems. "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families. No electricity but the wood burning stove provides some light."
Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. The Steep Ravine cabins are notoriously difficult to reserve, requiring bookings up to six months in advance. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA provides family-friendly cabin options with more amenities than state park accommodations. Most locations allow pets, though Steep Ravine Campground prohibits them. A visitor noted that Samuel P. Taylor cabins are "incredible. They have electricity, outlets, and heating. All you need are sheets, pillows, and blankets." Cabin camping is available year-round at most locations, though winter availability may be limited at some sites.
Most cabins include basic furnishings but require visitors to bring their own linens, pillows, blankets, and toiletries. Cooking facilities vary significantly between locations, from simple fire pits and outdoor grills to more equipped setups. A camper recommended bringing "candles and lanterns and some fabric for curtains for privacy" when staying at Steep Ravine cabins. Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park provides cabin accommodations with water views, fire pits, and picnic tables. The proximity to restaurants and shops in nearby towns allows visitors to purchase supplies or dine out without extensive pre-trip preparation, though bringing essentials remains advisable.