The San Francisco Bay Area offers diverse camping opportunities within a short drive from Kensington, California. Located in the East Bay hills at approximately 500 feet elevation, Kensington sits between the coastal fog belt and inland heat, creating variable camping conditions throughout the year. At camping sites near Kensington, California, temperatures can fluctuate 20-30 degrees between inland and coastal locations, with mid-summer temperatures ranging from 55°F at night to 95°F during peak daytime hours.
What to do
Hike to panoramic vistas: At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, trails offer varying difficulties with rewarding views. "There are trails running throughout the park and around the lake that are a mix of wider open trails and narrower, through the woods, but groomed trails with plenty of up and down to make for a good hike," notes one visitor who appreciated the diverse terrain options.
Explore historical military sites: Near Kirby Cove Campground, visitors can explore Battery Kirby. A camper shares, "Battery Kirby is right there at the campground and interesting to explore. Active from 1898 to 1934 the battery in quite interesting to walk through, despite the vandals that have clearly spent a lot of time there."
Wildlife watching opportunities: Many sites offer early morning wildlife viewing. Turkeys are commonly spotted at Anthony Chabot Regional Park, where a visitor reported, "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)."
What campers like
Solitude after ferry departures: Angel Island State Park provides a unique overnight experience. "We were patient with how far out you make your reservation...once the last ferry leaves, you have the island practically to yourself. It is pretty awesome," shares one camper who enjoyed the relative privacy.
Location convenience: Some camping areas near Kensington provide quick access to urban amenities. A visitor at Marin RV Park noted, "This RV Park gets 5 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."
Free overnight options: For budget-conscious travelers, some areas permit free overnight stays. At the H. Dana Bower Rest Area, a camper shared, "Great location overlooking the city, has facilities like toilets and drinking fountains. Very busy when I was here on a Saturday night with locals, tourists and Mexican street vendors. Can't complain because it's free and close to the city."
What you should know
Weather variability: Prepare for significant temperature swings even in summer. At Steep Ravine Campground, campers need to "bring layers of functional clothes since the weather on the coast of the SF bay can be anything from roasting to foggy frigid cold during the day and night year round. Don't just look at weather online and go."
Reservation challenges: Many camping sites near Kensington require booking months in advance. One Steep Ravine visitor 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."
Wildlife encounters: Secure food properly at all locations. A Pantoll Campground visitor warns, "Lots of raccoons at night, so lock everything away," while a Mount Diablo camper cautions, "Raccoon was not shy about jumping on inactive stove top."
Tips for camping with families
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds have road noise that might disturb light sleepers. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, a camper notes, "If you're tent camping, the vehicle noise from the nearby Sir Francis Drake Blvd can be distracting if you are a light sleeper (and you are tent camping)."
Beach proximity: Some locations offer ocean access for kids. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, a visitor mentioned, "The win on this campground is how close it is to Point Reyes National Seashore, San Rafael, Olema, Novato and Marshall," making it easy to mix camping with beach trips.
Group site selection: For family gatherings, certain sites work better. At Samuel P. Taylor, one camper recommends specific sites: "Because of the holiday and the proximity to Oakland/San Fran, the campground was in FULL EFFECT with a gang of variant families camp site hopping...Had I chosen the site to my left, or a few more down the road, I would have barely noticed them at all - sites 47-44 had no one across the way, more private, set back."
Tips from RVers
Ferry access for sightseeing: RVers can leave vehicles parked and use public transit. At Marin RV Park, a camper advises, "We spent a week here and only drove when we wanted the experience driving down Lombard St and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge. Otherwise we took the ferry and then public transportation to all other points of interest."
Site spacing awareness: Many RV parks have close quarters. "The spots are narrow. The ground is made up of small rocks, but is perfectly level. There are no picnic tables and/or fire pits available," reports a visitor at Marin RV Park.
Electrical hookups: For power needs, know which sites offer connections. At Mount Diablo State Park, campers at Juniper Campground should note that "the best sites at Juniper if you're sleeping in your vehicle are the flat ones down by the parking lot and vista (18, 20, 22). Note that most of the sites on the west side are not flat for a vehicle."
