Anthony Chabot Regional Park is located in the East Bay hills with terrain that rises between 500-1,500 feet elevation, creating microclimates within the park. The campground stays cooler than surrounding valleys due to coastal fog influence, with temperatures often 10-15°F cooler than nearby urban areas. Summer camping temperatures range from 50-80°F with significant temperature drops after sunset.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Diablo: Trek to the summit for expansive views reaching to the Sierra Nevada mountains on clear days. Multiple trails of varying difficulty levels branch from both Live Oak and Juniper campgrounds. "We hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush. We come every year and will continue the tradition in years to come," notes Linda A. from Mount Diablo State Park.
Volcanic exploration: Walk the self-guided volcanic tour along what was once a quarry haul road at Sibley Volcanic 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," explains Elliott B. from Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve.
Fishing at Lake Chabot: Cast for bass, trout and catfish near the campground. "The best part is the fishing at the nearby lake. Bass, Trout and Catfish primarily," reports J.D. E. about camping at Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
What campers like
Urban accessibility: Many campgrounds are within 30-45 minutes of San Francisco while maintaining a natural setting. "Paradise an hour from the city. It is great for laid back camping! Karl the fog even likes it! Go check it out!" exclaims Kyla M. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Ferry access for day trips: Some campgrounds provide easy access to public transportation for city exploration. "A short 10 minute walk from the RV park is the ferry that will drop you off downtown San Francisco. We spent a week here and only drove when we wanted the experience driving down Lombard St and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge," writes Jeff T. about Marin RV Park.
Sunrise and sunset views: Elevated campgrounds offer excellent viewing opportunities. "This is literally the best place to see a sunset of 'The Bay'. There are a lot of trails for hiking," says Mike C. about Mount Diablo State Park.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Many parks limit or prohibit fires during summer months. "Because it is fire season, campfires are not allowed. Sorely missed a fire, but appreciate that the mountain will not burn down while we are up there," notes Linda A. about Mount Diablo.
Driving considerations: Some parks have challenging access roads. "Plan for a 45 minute drive from town to the top, longer if you are 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," warns Blake H. about Juniper Campground at Mount Diablo.
Night temperatures: Despite warm days, evenings can be surprisingly cool. "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 Mike C. about camping at Live Oak Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Junior Farm experience: Visit Tilden Park's Little Farm where children can interact with animals. "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!" suggests Stuart K. about Tilden Regional Park.
Weekday camping benefits: Sites are quieter and less crowded mid-week. "Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty," notes Ryan W. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many parks offer chances to see local animals. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," shares Amanda P.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Campgrounds vary significantly in site size and levelness. "Not all sites were open during our visit likely due to the pandemic. As someone else mentioned, there is a $2 per day dog fee that caught us off guard," notes Lori T. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Pet-friendly considerations: Check for tick prevention when hiking with dogs. "While you can get down to the lake easily, there's no swimming for either dogs or humans. Keep in mind that if you walk the single track trails with your dogs, you'll be spending some quality time with them later picking off ticks," warns Lori T.
Space limitations: RV sites at urban-adjacent parks are often compact. "The spots are narrow specially if you have slides out. If you are in this area to visit San Francisco it's easy to get there with the ferry nearby," explains Jean-Yves P. about Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground.
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