Anthony Chabot Regional Park accommodates tent and RV camping within an hour of Fremont. Sites throughout the park's eucalyptus groves provide overnight access to extensive hiking trails with wildlife viewing opportunities. Temperature variations between day and night are significant, especially in spring and fall when overnight lows can drop 15-20 degrees from daytime highs.
What to do
Mountain biking on park trails: Anthony Chabot Regional Park connects to miles of moderate to difficult biking paths. "There are plenty of easily accessible hiking and biking trails in the area. While you can get down to the lake easily, there's no swimming for either dogs or humans," notes one visitor who warns about trail conditions.
Paddle on Del Valle Lake: The lake at Del Valle Campground offers rentals for recreational boating and fishing. "The marina to Lake Del Valle is a few miles away. They rent recreational boats as well as aluminum fishing boats. They have a swimming beach area and they rent kayaks as well," explains a camper who visited with their 27-foot travel trailer.
Hike to bird-watching areas: Trails connecting from Dumbarton Quarry Campground lead to prime estuary viewing spots. "The best parts about this campground are stunning walks in the coyote hills and bird-watching in the estuary to the north," mentions a camper who appreciated the convenient access to natural areas.
What campers like
Modern facilities: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides well-maintained bathrooms and hot showers. "The atmosphere here is wonderful. It's quiet and right on the beach. Some RV spaces with hookups back right up to the sand/vegetation. Bathrooms and showers on site," reports a recent visitor who appreciated the clean amenities.
Wildlife encounters: "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," writes a camper who found the natural setting particularly impressive for being so close to urban areas.
Walking access to natural areas: The connection to regional parks makes several campgrounds appealing for hikers. "The park is in the Coyote hills regional Park. There are many many trails for hiking and biking, and wildlife is plentiful," notes a camper who stayed at Dumbarton Quarry for almost two weeks while visiting relatives.
What you should know
High winds common: Bay proximity means steady, sometimes strong breezes at certain campgrounds. "Every time we have stayed here it has been windy. Sites, though asphalt, require some leveling," warns a visitor to Dumbarton Quarry who stayed in a Class B van.
Dog restrictions: Dog-friendly campgrounds near Fremont have varied policies for trails and beaches. "No dogs allowed in the beach in the park but a short walk away there is a public beach that is dog friendly, so that was nice for our doggo," explains a camper at Half Moon Bay State Beach, highlighting the need to research specific areas.
Tick precautions: Sanborn County Park requires extra attention for pet owners. "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. Be aware of the poison oak as well," advises a visitor who camped with dogs.
Tips for camping with families
Multi-day hiking options: "Del Valle is one of the most beautiful lakes in the east bay. The water is perfect temperature. Great hikes, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming and beginner windsurfing," shares a visitor who found diverse recreation opportunities for different ages.
Playground access: Sanborn County Park offers family-friendly amenities beyond camping. "The Sanborn park has multiple picnic areas, and plenty of space for folks/kids to play around. There are also some trails for short and longer hikes," notes a visitor who found the RV area suitable for family stays.
Farm visits nearby: "It's also near Ardenwood Farm so if you have little kids it's a good spot to visit," explains a camper at Dumbarton Quarry, mentioning an educational activity option within short driving distance.
Tips from RVers
Limited shade at newer sites: Many RV sites in the area lack mature trees, particularly at newer facilities. "Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps," explains a visitor to Dumbarton Quarry who appreciated the cooling effect of coastal breezes.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services despite their proximity to urban areas. "We got in super late because of traffic and the info was just right there on the office door. The park is clean, in a nice area and close to San Jose and San Francisco. I really liked how our site was level and easy to get to," reports a visitor to Trailer Villa RV Park who appreciated the convenience.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds, affecting work-from-road capabilities. "The bathrooms are modern and clean, if spartan. The showers are roomy with ok water pressure and warm water. The laundry is super convenient. Barely any cell reception, but wifi worked pretty well (we could have a video conference)," notes an RVer who stayed at Sanborn County Park.
