Camping spots near Millbrae, California range from bayside locations to elevated forest campgrounds within a 40-mile radius. The region experiences microclimates with summer temperatures averaging 65-75°F during the day and dropping to 50-55°F at night. Campers should prepare for morning fog that can persist until midday, especially at coastal sites where temperatures remain consistently cool compared to inland campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking network at Chabot: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers extensive trail networks for day hiking without leaving camp. "There are plenty of 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 a camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Explore urban-adjacent wilderness: The Marin Headlands offer unique hiking with city views. At Kirby Cove Campground, visitors can "spend your day on the beach or exploring the rest of the Marin Headlands. Check out the Nike Missile site, Point Bonita Lighthouse, Rodeo Beach, and the endless miles of hiking and biking trails."
Waterfront activities: Coastal camping provides beach access and water recreation options. Near Half Moon Bay, "you can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!" A camper at Pillar Point RV Park adds that there are "lots of activities and places to eat within walking distance. Surfing, walking/bike trails, kayaking."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds feature diverse wildlife viewing. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, campers enjoy "lots of birds and wildlife. Because the camp was empty, I moved over to site 56 when it was clear my neighbor was a camp d-bag. The views and solitude over here were great with the setting sun through the trees."
Oceanfront camping: Sites with Pacific Ocean views rank highest among camper reviews. At Half Moon Bay RV Park, "from the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton. Great ocean views." Even roadside rest areas offer ocean views: "Great location overlooking the city, has facilities like toilets and drinking fountains."
Urban convenience with nature access: Dumbarton Quarry Campground exemplifies the region's urban-wilderness balance. A camper notes "The best parts about this campground in my opinion are: close to town, excellent cellular reception on all carriers, warm/hot and clean showers, stunning walks in the coyote hills and bird-watching in the estuary to the north."
What you should know
Site spacing challenges: Many area campgrounds feature closely spaced sites. At San Francisco RV Resort, "spots are tight. It's more like a parking lot than a campground, but everyone is friendly and the overall vibe is good." Another camper noted "Our group stayed here in early August. This RV resort gets packed!! RV's were super close together so it's a roll of the dice on what kind of neighbors you're gonna get!"
Reservation demands: Popular campgrounds require significant advance planning. For Kirby Cove Campground, "Make sure you're on top of the reservation window on recreation.gov, because there are only 5 super popular spots." Similarly, Anthony Chabot Regional Park is "popular, especially on the weekends, and I'd recommend reservations."
Microclimate preparation: The Bay Area's varied terrain creates distinct weather zones. A camper at Kirby Cove advises: "The weather is almost always chilly in the evening and night so be prepared with jackets and GOOD sleeping bags. Honestly you could get away with a 0 degree bag here." Another notes, "It's cold here in the summer. Pack for fall weather."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and short trails: Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly facilities. Dumbarton Quarry Campground features "a great playground if you have small kids, and lots of gentle hiking trails." For families staying near Half Moon Bay, "It's a nice quiet stretch of grass, and beach access."
Urban field trips: Family campers can use campgrounds as bases for city excursions. From H. Dana Bower Rest Area, one camper "parked here and had friends from the city come pick me up to spend the day together and then dropped me back off at night to sleep. Felt very safe with all the other campers around."
Wildlife encounters: Supervised wildlife viewing provides educational opportunities. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, families can spot "deer, turkeys, owls, etc. It's a great natural area that is so conveniently located in the Bay Area." One visitor reports, "Lots of birds singing. The views of the lake are very nice."
Tips from RVers
Electric needs: RV sites with adequate power are available but limited. At Pillar Point RV Park, "walking distance to shops and restaurants, walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff! Only cons are the extremely busy road is right next to the park."
Space considerations: Many Bay Area campgrounds have tight spacing. A visitor to Trailer Villa RV Park observed "the park is clean, in a nice area and close to San Jose and San Francisco. We really enjoyed our stay. I really liked how our site was level and easy to get to."
Bay Area transit options: RVers can utilize public transportation from several campgrounds. From H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound, "rocked up at around 8pm, pretty busy at least 10 other vans and rvs there for the night. Couple of food vendors, great view of Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Weren't hassled at all, left around 9am."
