Cabin camping near Lagunitas, California provides easy access to both redwood forests and coastal attractions. The region sits at elevations ranging from sea level to 2,571 feet at Mount Tamalpais, creating microclimates where temperatures can vary by 20°F between inland and coastal areas. Winter cabin campers should prepare for overnight temperatures that can drop to the low 40s, even when daytime temperatures reach the 60s.
What to do
Hiking near Mount Tamalpais: Access numerous trails directly from Steep Ravine Campground that connect to the broader Mount Tamalpais watershed. "The hiking trails that join from the coast all the way to Mill Valley and central Marin are walking distance from this site. Be warned though, the hiking is steep, really good hiking but bring good shoes and be sure that you are physically ready for a hard workout!" notes Patrick O. from Steep Ravine Campground.
Visit local wineries: When staying at cabins near Lagunitas, wine country is just a short drive away. Robert S. from Ritchey Creek Campground shares, "Great place to stay at when visiting the Napa wine valley that is halfway between St Helena and Calistoga, two nice tourist towns." During non-pandemic times, some campgrounds even offer convenient transportation: "A shuttle stops at the park to take people into town for dinner if they don't want to drive after drinking," says Jeanna J.
Explore Tomales Bay: From Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, visitors can access numerous coastal activities. As Kathleen C. explains, "The win on this campground is how close it is to Point Reyes National Seashore, San Rafael, Olema, Novato and Marshall. I would highly recommend Five Brooks Ranch in Olema for horseback riding, Hog Island in Marshall (snag a picnic table and shuck your own oysters - definitely a highlight) and Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station."
What campers like
Proximity to San Francisco: Many cabin sites are surprisingly close to the city while feeling remote. At Steep Ravine, you get "your own seaside cabin with million dollar views just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge," according to Adam. This makes these cabins ideal for quick weekend getaways without long travel times.
Evening ambiance: Cabins offer cozy evenings regardless of weather. Duranne C. from Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park describes the nighttime experience: "You can see the Milky Way at night while listening to the soft foghorn and every now and then a soft bark of a seal. Nice solid metal fire pits to sit around at night making smores... Wake up in the morning to either fog or bright warm sun overlooking a very sleepy Glassy harbor with fishing boats bobbing in the docks."
Wildlife viewing: The cabins near Lagunitas offer exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Nikata L. from Steep Ravine Campground shares, "The wildlife is off the hook... 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 one fine day."
What you should know
Reservation challenges: The most desirable cabin sites require advanced planning. Adam from Steep Ravine Campground advises, "So the cabins are not only notoriously difficult to reserve -- 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."
Weather preparedness: Pack layers regardless of season. Katherine T. from Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground notes, "Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold." Patrick O. from Steep Ravine adds more specific advice: "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."
Wildlife concerns: Prepare for encounters with local wildlife. Jennifer J. from Porto Bodega explains, "They have raccoons but don't tell you that, we didn't leave anything out but had muddy footprints all over our table in the morning! Their garbage cans are not raccoon proof so every morning there's garbage scattered around and someone comes and picks it all up."
Tips for camping with families
Choose Samuel P. Taylor for kids' first camping experience: This location offers an ideal introduction to outdoor experiences. Susie B. from Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground explains, "For families who want a quick trip over Golden Gate Bridge to introduce their children (or adults!) to the great outdoors, their first camp, nowhere is more convenient and instantly gratifying."
Plan for varying noise levels: Family-friendly sites may not always be quiet. Joseph F. from Samuel P. Taylor advises, "It can get warm in the summer, but the cool moist ocean fog comes in and blankets the area in the evenings, which can really cool it down." This natural air conditioning helps children sleep better after active days outdoors.
Consider activities beyond hiking: Many cabins are near family-friendly attractions. James from Casini Ranch Family Campground reports, "Awesome river access, and a short drive to restaurants or the beach. Clean bathrooms and a ton of amenities. The dog parks were clutch, since my dog needs to run." Miya B. adds, "They have an insane amount of kids activities! Face paining, s'mores campfire, hay ride, parks, kareoke- just to name a few!"
Tips from RVers
Sites vary dramatically in size and privacy: For those with cabin camping and RV options, Eric D. from Olema Campground notes, "Has numerous amenities including hot (free) showers (cleaned daily), flush toilets, full hookup RV spots, laundromat, US Post office, fenced playground, dog park, drive in tent sites, and firewood for sale. Cons: expensive, sites are close and poorly defined and the after hours check in procedure doesn't prevent overlapping."
Consider seasonal differences: Todd W. from Porto Bodega explains their setup: "The park is clean, sites are average in size. Not much separation between sites, some bushes, but basically a gravel parking lot. A variety of site types, including many on the water." The tradeoff for easy access is typically less privacy between units.
Pack for microclimate variations: Weather can change rapidly in this region. Kathleen C. from Samuel P. Taylor advises, "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers."