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Best Campgrounds near Oakland, CA

727 Reviews

Oakland camping areas include the unique Angel Island State Park with its ten scattered campsites and San Francisco Bay views. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground sits a short drive away among redwoods and has good restrooms and showers for comfortable camping. Anthony Chabot Regional Park near Oakland offers both developed and basic camping sites, with many campers coming to fish at Lake Chabot. You'll need reservations for most sites, particularly during busy seasons. Spring and fall bring the best weather for camping here, as summers can get hot and winters rainy. Always check if any areas are closed before you head out. Oakland makes a good starting point for camping trips throughout the surrounding natural areas.

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Best Camping Sites Near Oakland, California (154)

    1. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    25 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (510) 690-6676

    "It's minutes from Oakland and Castro Valley. It's pretty noisy, and folks like to party. The best part is the fishing at the nearby lake. Bass, Trout and Catfish primarily."

    "as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"

    2. Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $40 - $75 / night

    "The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."

    "If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"

    3. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

    "Campsites are walk in throughout the island.  Remember there will be fog and there will be wind.

    We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "

    4. Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Diablo, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (925) 837-2525

    $30 / night

    "This mountain has many of hiking trails for various levels of hikers."

    "Live Oak is the closest to the entrance (and town), and features some cool rock formations to explore, but it's colder, has terrible cellular data service, and doesn't quite have the sunset / sunrise views"

    5. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    10 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    14 miles
    Website

    "I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."

    "Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."

    6. Tilden Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Kensington, CA
    8 miles
    Website

    "Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."

    "Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"

    7. San Francisco RV Resort

    13 Reviews
    Pacifica, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "If you want a great little place with quick easy access to San Francisco that has a great view of the ocean this place is great! And affordable!"

    "It is essentially a parking lot on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea.  The cliff edge here has fallen into the sea so the site must of lost 50 spaces when it happened. "

    8. Redwood Regional Park

    1 Review
    Piedmont, CA
    3 miles
    Website

    "Magical :) I feel at Peace at Such a Beautiful Location. Its a Must see."

    9. Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

    1 Review
    Orinda, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    10. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground

    27 Reviews
    Half Moon Bay, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 726-8819

    $35 - $165 / night

    "We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."

    "Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas. small but good size sites for where it is."

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Recent Camping Photos near Oakland, CA

205 Photos of 154 Oakland Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Oakland, CA

727 Reviews of 154 Oakland Campgrounds

Guide to Oakland

Camping near Oakland, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature without straying too far from the city. With a variety of campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy everything from hiking to beach activities.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Beautiful trails nearby," making it a great spot for both novice and experienced hikers.
  • Beach Access: Visit New Brighton State Beach Campground for a day at the beach. A camper shared, "Great views and easy access to the beach," perfect for sunbathing or swimming.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, keep an eye out for local wildlife. One visitor noted, "We were harassed by cute little chipmunks and birds," adding a fun twist to your camping experience.

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the stunning surroundings. A review for Bodega Dunes Campground highlighted, "Beautiful sunsets just a short walk away in the dunes."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, like Mount Madonna County Park, are praised for their cleanliness. One camper said, "The VERY cleanest restrooms, with the added convenience of hand soap!!"
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families enjoy the amenities at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. A reviewer mentioned, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun," making it a hit with kids.

What you should know

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground noted, "Always tough to get a reservation, but it never disappoints if you can get one."
  • Limited Privacy: Some sites can be close together. A camper at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground mentioned, "The sites themselves are a little close quarters, but all provide just about enough space."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park shared, "We had two new types of visitors... wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food on the ground."

Tips for camping with families

  • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with family-friendly features. A review for New Brighton State Beach Campground mentioned, "Cool weather along the beach, can't ask for much more," making it a great spot for family outings.
  • Check Amenities: Look for clean restrooms and showers. A camper at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground noted, "Showers and toilets looked clean," which is a plus for families.
  • Bring Snacks: Keep food secure from wildlife. A visitor at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground advised, "Make sure you bring a padlock as there is no locking mechanism on the door."

Tips from RVers

  • Space Considerations: Choose RV-friendly campgrounds. A reviewer at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA mentioned, "Most spots are pull-through and ours was super clean and had a good amount of space."
  • Dump Station Availability: Look for campgrounds with dump stations. A camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park shared, "The dump station was in good working order."
  • Check for Hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park noted, "The RV sites have both water and electric hookups which was great!"

Camping around Oakland, CA, offers a mix of outdoor fun and family-friendly activities. Whether you're hiking through redwoods or relaxing by the beach, there's something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Oakland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Oakland, CA is Anthony Chabot Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.

What parks are near Oakland, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Oakland, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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