Camping near Pittsburg, California offers access to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta waterways with elevations ranging from sea level to 3,849 feet at Mount Diablo's summit. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and September, while winter months bring mild 50-60°F days with occasional rainfall. Most campgrounds in this region remain open year-round due to the Mediterranean climate conditions.
What to do
Hike to mountain viewpoints: At Mount Diablo State Park, trails provide panoramic vistas across the Bay Area. "We hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush. We watched the sunset over the Bay Area, whew, it was spectacular," notes one camper who visits annually.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings offer the best chances to spot local wildlife. "We saw a mix of wildlife. Deer, hawks, wild turkeys. We saw an amazing sunset too," reports a summer visitor to Mount Diablo, while another mentions "wild boars are active at dawn and dusk."
Water recreation access: Brannan Island State Recreation Area serves as a gateway to delta waterways. "This is a big campground with everything you need for boating and fishing. They have a big boat launch for easy launching," explains a visitor. The recreation area provides direct river access for kayaking, fishing, and boating.
Mountain biking: Several parks offer trails for cyclists of varying skill levels. Some areas require caution when driving to campgrounds due to cyclists on roads. "Plan for a 45 minute drive from town to the top, longer if you're doing it on a weekend when you'll be waiting to pass cyclists (be very careful, do not pass on blind corners, this is a cycling destination)," advises one Mount Diablo camper.
What campers like
Overnight convenience: Benicia State Recreation Area offers simple stopover camping for self-contained vehicles. "Great little first come first served stopover spots. There are 3 spots just after you enter this nice open space park on the bay. We got one late Friday evening. Nice park quiet at night and heavily used by joggers and bikers in morning," notes a visitor.
Proximity to urban amenities: Skyline Wilderness Park provides camping with easy access to nearby towns. "Location itself is GREAT. 5 mins from everything in town. Had good cell service and park was clean," shares a recent camper. The convenience allows for supply runs or restaurant visits without long drives.
Waterfront sites: Delta campgrounds offer water views and direct access. "We stayed right on the levee," mentions a camper at Brannan Island, while another notes it has "easy access to the water. Family favorite."
Spacious tent areas: Some locations provide generous spacing between tent sites. At Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina, a group found "the tent-area was a clearing, fully backed up to the levee, with some shade and a water spigot. Appears to be only 4 'sites,' which are defined by picnic tables, GENEROUSLY spaced, no fire rings."
What you should know
Weather considerations: High winds affect some campgrounds, particularly at elevation. "No matter how hot it is you'll never be able to escape the howling winds at night. Good tent stakes and warm gear is a must," cautions a Mount Diablo camper. Delta areas can experience strong breezes too.
Tick prevention: Ticks are common in grassy areas near water. One visitor to Benicia warned, "Once I took my dog on a walk I saw why nobody brings their dog - TICKS! So many! Just from walking along the path, not even going into the grass, my dog got 6 ticks once and 5 ticks another walk."
Gate restrictions: Some parks lock entrance gates at sunset. "Only reason for 4 stars is that they lock you in at sunset; if you want to leave you have to call the fire department to open the locked gate. This significantly reduces flexibility," notes a Mount Diablo visitor.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require caution. A Rio Viento RV Park camper advised, "Road to get into the park is rough but take your time, it's worth the drive." Delta roads often follow levees with minimal shoulders.
Tips for camping with families
Heat management strategies: When camping during summer months, plan activities for cooler hours. "We went during the summer and it was very hot. The camp ground did not have much shade. We ended up taking a long hike around 4-5 pm when it started to cool food down," shares a Mount Diablo visitor.
Wildlife education opportunities: Several parks offer chances to observe local animals safely. "Food locker: 2x. We used the one beneath the tree- raccoon did not get inside," notes a camper at Mount Diablo who also cautioned, "If sitting around picnic table at night, make sure snacks are not out on picnic table, but kept in lap. Raccoon was not shy about jumping on inactive stove top."
Select shaded sites when possible: Tree cover makes a significant difference in comfort during hot months. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, "The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)."
Cell service reliability: Most campgrounds offer reasonable connectivity for emergencies or entertainment. "Juniper had decent 10-15mbps ATT cellular service in most site locations, and also decent t-mobile, but ping was slow," reports a Mount Diablo camper, which helps families who need to stay connected.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites exist but vary in number between parks. Skyline Wilderness Park offers "RV campsites are close together and semi-level. Bathrooms could use some TLC. But the park is nice with lots of hiking, views and close to Napa."
Water spigot positioning: Some parks have awkwardly placed water connections. One Sugar Barge visitor noted, "The water spigot is really close to the ground and really close to the sewer drain. Scrub with bleach before booking up your water and you'll be fine."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Level sites can be limited for bigger rigs. "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," advises a Mount Diablo camper.
Reservation timing: Secure spots well in advance during peak seasons, particularly for sites with full hookups. Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis for certain sites, requiring early arrival to secure preferred locations.
