Camping options near Pleasant Hill, California include established campgrounds and remote sites throughout the rolling East Bay hills. These areas sit at elevations ranging from 500 to 3,849 feet, creating significant temperature variations between locations. Winter camping remains possible at most sites with average lows of 40-45°F, though higher elevations like Mount Diablo can experience occasional frost or rare snowfall.
What to do
Archery practice: Skyline Wilderness Park offers archery facilities along with disc golf courses. "The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more. Very friendly, helpful staff. Bonus: short drive to Downtown Napa," notes Jamie G.
Trail exploration: Anthony Chabot Regional Park features extensive trail networks through eucalyptus groves. "There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground. It's a great natural area that is so conveniently located in the Bay Area," writes Amanda P., who also mentions seeing "deer, turkeys, owls, etc."
Wildlife viewing: Take early morning hikes for the best animal sightings. "We loved our site #15, and enjoyed the privacy it provided, plus the views (if you stand on the table or are tall). We didn't encounter critters," shares one visitor to Mount Diablo State Park.
Lake activities: Several parks feature lake access, though with restrictions. "While you can get down to the lake easily, there's no swimming for either dogs or humans," explains a camper at Chabot. The lake views still provide scenic value, as Adam B. notes: "The views of the lake are very nice."
What campers like
Accessible wilderness: Many campers appreciate the proximity to urban areas while feeling removed. "Paradise an hour from the city. It is great for laid back camping! Karl the fog even likes it!" writes Kyla M. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Sunrise viewing spots: Angel Island State Park offers unique perspectives on the bay. "There's no better place to get views of the Bay! Angel Island is a unique backpacking experience," explains Brittany R., who recommends the exposed Sunrise campsite for unobstructed views despite wind challenges.
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently rate sites based on separation from neighbors. At Juniper Campground, "Our site had nearby bathrooms, showers & trash. It included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious," reports Brittney L.
Night sky observation: The higher elevation sites offer exceptional stargazing opportunities away from city lights. "We watched the sunset over the Bay Area, whew, it was spectacular," shares Linda A. about her Mount Diablo experience, where she hiked "to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Higher elevation sites experience significant wind, especially at night. "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," advises Mike C. about Mount Diablo.
Reservation requirements: Most popular sites require advance booking. For Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, "Reservation must be completed at least 5 days in advance by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2," explains Elliott B.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage is critical at all sites. "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. Be aware of the poison oak as well," warns Lori T. from Skyline Wilderness Park.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly between areas. Ryan W. notes about Anthony Chabot: "The road in is fairly winding with a bit of a drop down the cliff. If you're heading in at dusk or dawn, go slow. You will see deer stepping through the road."
Tips for camping with families
Best entry-level sites: Choose flatter, more accessible campgrounds for younger children. "This is not the most adventurous spot. It's simple family car camping at its finest. It's minutes from Oakland and Castro Valley," explains J.d. E. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Educational opportunities: Tilden Regional Park offers family-friendly amenities. "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!" shares Nicholas M.
Site selection strategy: For families, pick sites with shade and bathroom proximity. At Juniper Campground, Brittney L. reports hearing "coyotes howling night and day which was neat. No raccoons. Saw some lizards," making wildlife viewing accessible even from camp.
Timing considerations: Schedule family camping during moderate temperature seasons. Ben W. warns about Mount Diablo: "Insanely hot in the summer, I would recommend not going in July like we did. It was 104° or something and I was just drenching my clothes in water to stay cool."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds near Pleasant Hill offer full hookups. At Skyline Wilderness Park, "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," reports Rich J.
Cell service quality: Reception varies significantly between sites. A camper at Skyline notes: "Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up," which allows for remote work possibilities.
Leveling requirements: Some RV sites require additional equipment. At Skyline Wilderness, one camper reports: "Sites are level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly."
Space considerations: RV sites often provide less separation than tent areas. At Tradewinds RV Park, Roxanna L. notes: "Our slide couldn't come out all the way or we'd hit the camper next to us. His slide was touching meter box," highlighting the importance of checking site dimensions before booking.
