Best Equestrian Camping near Montara, CA

Sibley Regional Preserve

San Francisco East Bay residents actually have a volcano in their backyard at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Originally called Round Top Park, Sibley shares with Temescal and Tilden Parks the distinction of being one of the East Bay Regional Park District's original parks.

The Sibley backpack camp is a small, primitive hike-in site for a maximum of 15 campers (although this would be super cramped in my opinion, unless it a bunch of small kids), a moderate 0.2 mile walk from the parking lot (NO VEHICLE ACCESS). The site has basically 360 degree views of Mount Diablo, Vollmer Peak and Tilden Park. There are only two tent pads - approximately 10'x25' and 10'x20'. Site has 2 picnic tables, 1 serving table, and a pit toilet close by which was very clean and well maintained.

During the day you’ll have lots of people walk semi/sorta by the campground, but there is no reason that anyone would walk through your area as if they did they’d tumble off and down the side of a nice steep hill…

 No wood fires or BBQs are allowed; only camp stoves are allowed for cooking, your night time enjoyment.

 Drinking water is 0.2 miles from camp at the trail head so keep that in mind before it gets too dark to hike back and forth for a drink.

There are several trails providing tons of access throughout the preserve. The 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail system, traverses the preserve along the ridgeline between Wildcat Canyon and Anthony Chabot Parks. Round Top Road goes from the Sibley visitor center to the top of Round Top. Round Top Loop Trail circles Round Top peak. Volcanic Trail, once a quarry haul road, contains most of the stops on the self-guided volcanic tour.

 Dogs are allowed throughout this section of the park and in camp on leash but are not allowed on the adjacent Huckleberry trails. Also, the EBRPD lists, dogs “must be under owner's control at all times” and must not disturb other animals or park visitors, but I definitely saw a lot of loose well behaved dogs running free.

Bikes are allowed on the fire trail, but there are lots of hikers and dog walkers in this park so be mindful. Also, Horses are allowed but there is no hitching rail and no water troughs in the park (or at least that I saw anywhere).

If you decide to try and bike be mindful that most trails are hiking and equestrian only. A few trails are multi-use. Bicycles are not allowed on narrow-gauge trails, except on the Skyline Trail between the Sibley visitor center and Old Tunnel Road. Bicycles are allowed on the wider-gauge fire trails and paved roads but are not allowed on Sibley Round Top from EBMUD water tank road junction to top of Round Top Peak.

Vehicles must be parked in the staging area and display a valid overnight parking permit: 3 parking permits are included in the reservation and will be mailed 5 days in advance. No additional parking permits are available. Otherwise, you can actually get here via public transport by Taking the AC Transit CB bus to the Mountain Blvd stop, them walk about 3 miles to the park.

While you can check if it’s already reserved online. Reservation must be completed at least 5 days in advance by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2.

What a find! This hidden gem hides behind the vineyard crested mountain range just due south of Livermore. Once you get off the 680/580 highways, you'll be immediately swept into a different wind-strewn, rocky landscape that you'll have to wind around several bends on some decent inclined well-paved roads before making your arrival to Del Valle regional park. 

You'll have to pay the$10 to get through, but this is one of the few parks where that fee, if maximized, is a great investment. The campgrounds here are all incredibly well maintained, spacious (perhaps a bit too spacious and open in some places). With a great number of trails to take in any direction, the great find here is the well-appointed lake that rents kayaks, paddle boats and canoes. There's even horses you can rent nearby if you get tired of all the hiking. 

There's plenty of places to picnic if you get tired of eating at your campsite. Be wary of the weekends, especially long holiday weekends where this park gets completely overrun. Other than this, it's a fantastic camping site. 

Happy Camping!

We stayed in Sites 78 & 80, which were enormous, and could’ve easily fit 20-30 people, not the 8 people the sites were limited too. Careful though, many sites, including these, were mostly exposed with very little shade. Camping Labor Day weekend, temps were in the low 90s, and there were LOTS of mosquitoes. Most people in our party came back with upwards of 20-30 bites, even with lots of bug spray, screened enclosures, and other precautions.

Campsite amenities were great, easy access to water and bathrooms. Bathrooms were spotless the whole weekend, even though it was a holiday weekend and every site was booked. Park staff came by each evening to invite us to programs at the amphitheater. A firewood truck drove by at least once a day. You can also make purchases at a little camp store (in a shipping container), plenty of ice and firewood, but we didn’t see any alcohol for sale.

Check the rules ahead of time, they are quite restrictive and very different from many other campgrounds. No hard alcohol? No hammocks? No entry after 10:00pm?

Also note, the lake isn’t really in walking distance. If you have a dog, you have to head to East Shore (~5 min drive) and the Dog Run trail to let them in the water. Be prepared for a steep scramble down to the lakeside, and very limited beach.

After time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality given you both by the camp rangers and fellow campers you’ll come across. 

From a range of activities including horseback riding, kayaking on the namesake lake as well as hiking the foothills, if you’ve come here for nature, you’ll strike gold! The amenities are basic and – key to all California Regional Parks – everything is very well maintained, easy to find and wonderful to make use of. 

Happy Camping!

This is nice little campground that is only about 15 minutes from downtown Livermore. It’s a great escape from the craziness of the Bay Area without having to drive too far. The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life. There was quite a bit of wildlife roaming through the park mainly in the early morning. I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground.

The restrooms and showers were clean and functional. Maybe a bit outdated, but I don’t see that as a negative considering everything works. It’s also nice that the showers are free, no need to bring your roll of quarters.

The close proximity to the lake and all the hiking trails is a huge plus.

The only negatives I can mention are the camp store and the lack of privacy at each site. It seems like the camp store is only open on Saturdays which means if you need anything, it’s close to an hour long commitment to drive into Livermore, buy what you need, and drive back. I’m not sure if that’s always the case but when I visited in April that was what the sign had posted. As far as the lack of privacy, I don’t think it’s a deal breaker since there is a good amount of space between sites but they are all fully exposed. I can see these being a bit of a problem especially on a crowded weekend.

Overall a nice campground in a good location with plenty to do in the area.

Let's just call a spade a spade here, alright? This campground isn't going to be one that you look back at and fondly recollect a surreal experience in the middle of nature with all of the rustic touches one might come to expect when camping in NorCal. And while the Redwoods and Sequoias will steal the attention of most, this trek just past the border of Berkeley's town limits will impress with its towering Eucalyptus with a splendid arbor scent that is unmatched in any forest. 

What this campground lacks in ambiance, grooming and amenities, this location makes up for by putting you smack dab in the middle of some very phenomenal hiking in all of the Eastbay. Whether heading towards Lake Anza for a cool dip (beware the snapping turtles!), taking the kids to Tilden's Little Farm (bring your own carrots, kale and lettuce), an arduous bike up and down the Berkeley Hills or going for a stroll nearby Lake Jewel, you would be hard-pressed to find a better regional park near Oakland and the surrounding areas with such sweeping views and well preserved hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. 

Oh, and if you get tired of campfire food, there's always nearby Zachary's Chicago Deep Dish Pizza (this Chicagoan approves!) in Berkeley along with a frosty cold Anchor Steam! 

Happy Camping!