Tent campsites near Pleasant Hill, California cluster along the eastern slopes of the Berkeley Hills and the foothills of Mount Diablo. The region's Mediterranean climate produces summer daytime temperatures averaging 80-90°F at lower elevations, while higher elevation sites experience temperatures 10-15°F cooler. Seasonal creek beds throughout these parks run dry from May through October, affecting water availability at some primitive sites.
What to do
Hiking to coastal views: At Steep Ravine Campground, campers can access the Steep Ravine/Matt Davis trail system directly from camp. "The hiking trails that join from the coast all the way to Mill Valley and central Marin are walking distance from this site. Be warned though, the hiking is steep, really good hiking but bring good shoes and be sure that you are physically ready for a hard workout," notes a visitor.
Urban escape biking: The tent sites at Tilden Regional Park connect to numerous cycling routes. "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. It is great for biking (but be weary of the hills)," shares one camper who rated it 4 stars.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness offer opportunities to see native wildlife from the campground. "When we were there we saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area," explains one reviewer of this tent camping area just off Bollinger Canyon Road.
What campers like
Coastal cabin alternatives: The elevated tent platforms at Angel Island State Park provide bay views without cabin rental costs. "The upside of being patient with how far out you make your reservation is that once the last ferry leaves, you have the island practically to yourself. It is pretty awesome," shares a camper who enjoyed the island's isolation.
Off-grid seclusion: Many campers appreciate the remote feel of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve tent sites despite proximity to urban areas. As one visitor simply put it: "Feels very off grid. Camp experience was smooth and the sun was shining."
Higher elevation temperatures: Tent sites at higher elevations offer relief from summer heat. "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," warns a camper about lower elevation sites, suggesting mountain campgrounds for summer trips.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most tent campsites near Pleasant Hill require reservations months in advance, especially for weekend camping. For Angel Island: "I had the flexibility to go during the week and luckily there were permits available. You have to take a boat to get out to Angel Island so you have to drive up to Tiburon and park your car and get onto one of the Ferry Boats!"
Campsite privacy variations: Tent sites have varying degrees of privacy depending on location within campgrounds. At Pantoll Campground, "Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups)."
Wildlife considerations: Food storage is critical at tent sites throughout the region. According to a Pantoll camper: "Lots of raccoons at night, so lock everything away." Another tent camper at Juniper Campground notes: "They have food lockers, not bear lockers, and ours was broken one time so have a solid backup plan, the raccoons are very intelligent and they come out at night so be prepared for that."
Tips for camping with families
Wheelchair accessible options: Some tent camping areas offer ADA compliant sites. A Pantoll visitor notes: "This is an ada compliant walkup campground situated near the top of Mount Tamalpais. Featuring 13 sites ranging from standard campground style to a few more secluded areas."
Educational opportunities: Incorporate historic sites into family camping trips. At Angel Island, "There is plenty of hiking, beach access, paved roads for biking, and tours of the history of the island." Another camper adds that the island has "an Immigration museum (think Ellis Island but for the west coast!)"
Site selection for younger campers: Choose sites closer to facilities when camping with small children. One camper at Pantoll observed: "Water spigots are spread out among the sites, but all the bathrooms are located down the hill near the parking lot."
Tips from RVers
Alternative tent camping for RVers: When RV sites are full, some areas near Pleasant Hill offer tent camping for RV owners. At Briones Regional Park, a visitor mentions: "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash."
Parking limitations: Most tent camping areas have limited parking. "If you choose to drive, just know that it can be impossible to find a place to park on busy weekends (you'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears)," notes a hiker who tent camped at Pantoll.
Access considerations: Some roads to tent camping areas have challenging driving conditions. "It's a classic, twisty ride on Highway 1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground. Campers sensitive to motion sickness or vertigo be warned," cautions a visitor to Steep Ravine.
