Camping sites near Emeryville, California vary dramatically from beach views to forested retreats. Though the area experiences heavy fog between June and August, average summer temperatures remain mild at 65-75°F. Winter campers should prepare for overnight temperatures that can drop to the low 40s, making three-season sleeping bags recommended year-round for tent campers in the region.
What to do
Hike through redwoods: At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, numerous trails wind through towering redwoods. "There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground," notes Amanda P., who appreciates the "eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)."
Explore historical sites: Military installations and immigration history provide educational opportunities around the Bay Area. At Angel Island State Park, "there is plenty of hiking, beach access, paved roads for biking, and tours of the history of the island," according to Haley C., who mentions the island has "various bathrooms that include flush toilets and sinks."
Mountain biking: Mount Tamalpais offers challenging terrain for cyclists. "This place is absolutely fabulous," writes Nikata L. about Steep Ravine Campground. The wildlife viewing adds to the experience as "I've seen deer in the seaside vernal pools, wild miniature ocean bunnies boxing in the morning sunshine, and a great white shark off the cliffs."
What campers like
Proximity to San Francisco views: From Kirby Cove Campground, campers get front-row views of San Francisco. "You can't find a better spot to see the Golden Gate bridge and the SF city skyline," reports Patrick O. The weather requires preparation as it's "almost always chilly in the evening and night so be prepared with jackets and GOOD sleeping bags."
Urban-accessible wilderness: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers nature just minutes from the city. Ryan W. describes it as "a well-kept park with proactive rangers" where "despite it being quite accessible to Oakland, the park felt like camping in the wilderness, even though I could hear cheers echoing through the canyon from a graduation somewhere below."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Local campgrounds offer surprising animal encounters. At Pantoll Campground, one visitor warns about "lots of raccoons at night, so lock everything away." Similarly, Luke D. observes that "my partner and I tried eating and got surrounded by a whole bunch of raccoons" at the H. Dana Bower Rest Area.
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Many desirable camping areas require planning months ahead. For Steep Ravine Cabins, Adam advises, "you need to be ready to click 'reserve' on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time when I reserved."
Microclimate preparation: The Bay Area's diverse topography creates distinct weather zones. Brittany R. emphasizes that Angel Island "is completely exposed, and the Bay is notoriously cold, windy, and foggy; you'll want to bring enough stakes to guy out your tent as there isn't any wind protection from trees or boulders."
Fog horn disruptions: Waterfront campsites experience regular fog horn noise. According to Ashley S., who rated Kirby Cove Campground five stars, "BRING EARPLUGS. The fog horn doesn't quite if its foggy. And its LOUD."
Tips for camping with families
Choose beginner-friendly sites: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers convenient, manageable camping for inexperienced families. J.d. E. calls it "simple family car camping at its finest. It's minutes from Oakland and Castro Valley," though he notes "it's pretty noisy, and folks like to party."
Pack extra water: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. At Angel Island's Sunrise site, Brittany R. warns about water limitations: "the water spigot at Sunrise was not working when we arrived, and this was not mentioned anywhere during the reservation process... they did have a large container of water for each campsite."
Reserve weekday visits: For families seeking tranquility, midweek reservations reduce crowds. A Pantoll Campground camper mentioned, "On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot," highlighting how timing affects the camping experience.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV camping options: Most campgrounds near Emeryville restrict RV size or don't accommodate RVs at all. At Marin RV Park, Lance L. warns "It's very tight spacing, no privacy in between lots so be prepared and skilled if you have a bigger rig. My 34 foot trailer took some time to get in."
Strategic park-and-ride: RV campers can use campgrounds as base camps for city exploration. Jeff T. gave Marin RV Park five stars "purely for it's location. Drive in, park and then walk to all the sights you want to see in San Francisco. A short 10 minute walk from the RV park is the ferry that will drop you off downtown San Francisco."
Expect utility challenges: RV hookups may require additional equipment or troubleshooting. Lance L. suggests bringing "extra hose" because "they don't have traditional posts where you would expect the water to be." Another RVer mentioned experiencing flooding issues at some sites, highlighting the importance of checking site drainage.
