The Russian River region surrounding Occidental features a humid coastal climate with temperatures averaging 70°F in summer and 40°F in winter. Elevations vary between sea level and 400 feet, creating distinct microclimates as you travel from inland forests toward the Pacific Ocean. Campgrounds in this area frequently experience morning fog that burns off by midday, especially at sites within 5 miles of the coast.
What to do
River activities: Float the Russian River from Casini Ranch Family Campground where "We spent most of our days down on the beach and floating" according to Christina F. Many campgrounds rent inner tubes for around $5 daily, with Schoolhouse Canyon Campground offering "loads of inner tubes for use on the river ($5 a day)" and a "private beach just for guests of the campsite right across river road."
Explore marine life: Visit tidepools near Wright's Beach where rangers conduct monthly educational programs. As one camper notes, "The first Saturday of the month the rangers do a tide pool talk. They bring sea creatures (like sea stars, sea slugs etc) to share and let the kids hold them." These programs typically run 60-90 minutes and are free with park admission.
Fishing opportunities: Catch Dungeness crab at Lawson's Landing where "I love ocean camping! Caught and ate crabs both times I've been here." The crabbing pier is accessible year-round, though the best season runs November through July. The campground store sells bait and provides information on fishing regulations.
Wine tasting: Visit nearby vineyards within 15 minutes of most campgrounds. Schoolhouse Canyon Campground is "1/2 mile down the road from the Korbel Winery (amazing deli!!!)," offering a convenient stop for provisions or tours. Several wineries in the area offer tasting rooms with Russian River Valley specialties like Pinot Noir.
What campers like
Easy beach access: Wright's Beach Campground puts you "literally steps from the beach. Can be windy but some of the sites are pretty well protected." Campers appreciate that "the beach is wide, flat and great for families" with direct access from campsites rather than requiring a drive.
Family-friendly amenities: Parents appreciate the structured activities at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, where they have "an insane amount of kids activities! Face paining, s'mores campfire, hay ride, parks, kareoke- just to name a few!" The campground also features a "giant bounce area" and multiple "large play grounds" that keep children entertained throughout the day.
Spacious sites: Many campers mention the generous space at certain campgrounds compared to others in the region. At Casini Ranch, "Sites are HUGE! We had plenty of room for our trailer, tent, corn hole, and more." Similarly, at Schoolhouse Canyon, campers found their site "a massive site and plenty of trees to hang from and a nice large flat area for the tent."
Wildlife viewing: The harbor area offers excellent bird watching opportunities. At Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park, visitors can "see the Milky Way at night while listening to the soft foghorn and every now and then a soft bark of a seal" and "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."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, particularly for summer weekends. Schoolhouse Canyon carefully vets guests, as "Chris does have some rules in place and interviews his potential guests to make sure they are a good fit" with a system where "if you don't answer his call you lose your opportunity to make a reservation."
Site selection considerations: At Bodega Dunes Campground, "If you want a sunny site, go for the center of the loop in the 60s/70s. We prefer shade and some space." Site numbers matter significantly at Wright's Beach where "site 18 was perfect for our rig and a nice layout easy to level. Definitely a little warmer then down below."
Weather patterns: Coastal sites experience significant wind and fog throughout the year. At Westside Regional Park, campers note that "Just know the weather, even in the summer, is generally cool and foggy mornings are the norm." Bodega Dunes campers warn: "I have to confess that I feel pretty silly for not being as prepared for the sand as I should have been from the name of the campground."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds have varying noise levels and restrictions. At Schoolhouse Canyon, "It's a quiet campsite. Radios aren't allowed, so if you are looking to party late into the night this isn't the spot for you" and "it is in a Canyon so noise does carry." Other campgrounds actively enforce quiet times, as one camper noted: "Had some neighbors who were really loud really late and Casini staff were all over it."
Tips for camping with families
Choose age-appropriate beaches: Some coastal areas have gentler water conditions than others. At Doran Regional Park, "Doran Beach is great, especially during the summer for kids because it's a well protected cove and the waves don't usually get very high." This makes it safer for younger children compared to rockier, more exposed beaches.
Pack for variable temperatures: The temperature swing between day and night can exceed 30 degrees, especially at coastal sites. One camper at Doran Park notes, "The hard part about this campground is the weather potential, there's a lot of fog, a lot of wind, but that should be expected anytime you're spending time near the coast."
Consider off-peak timing: Several campers mention that mid-week visits provide a better experience for families. At Bodega Bay RV Park, one visitor observed that "Tuesday and Wednesday were as described above. Thursday a very loud rambunctious crowd showed up" showing how the experience can change dramatically on weekends.
Bring entertainment for foggy mornings: Since coastal fog typically persists until 11am-1pm, having activities for children during these hours is essential. Parents suggest bringing scooters as "Highly suggest taking scooters or your bicycle as there are many places to explore within the park."
Tips from RVers
Limited hook-up availability: Many of the best places to camp near Occidental, California have partial or no hookups. At Wright's Beach, campers note "There is no water fill up (there are a couple of spigots) but fill and dumping are available at Bodega Dunes" approximately 7 miles south. Planning water usage accordingly is essential.
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. One RVer advised to "Take extra blocks if you go because our site was uneven tip to tail" and another mentioned "the sites have patches of grass and looked like it needed some TLC."
Generator restrictions: Different campgrounds have varying policies. Westside Regional Park has "Generator curfew is 8PM - 8AM which is great!" while many others prohibit generators entirely. Some sites offer electrical hookups as an alternative, though these tend to fill quickly.
Water quality considerations: Water testing reveals significant variation between campgrounds. One RVer reported "Tested the water-Water tested as acceptable tap water after running it through an external filter. 21 elements checked, all within range. Dissolved solids were 251...pretty high. The worst water in our 6 week trip."
