Yurt camping near Pleasanton, California offers year-round access to coastal and inland wilderness within a 90-minute drive. The region experiences mild temperatures ranging from 45-85°F depending on elevation and season, with summer fog common at coastal sites and inland locations experiencing more dramatic temperature swings. Campgrounds in this region sit at elevations ranging from sea level to 3,000 feet.
What to do
Tide pool exploration: At Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground, you can access secluded beaches and marine habitats. "Short walk to the beach. You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!" notes camper Jill F.
Archery practice: Mount Madonna County Park maintains a dedicated archery trail with 28 targets through the woods. "There is an archery trail with 28 targets on a trail through the woods. We were there 3 days in a row and did 20 of the 28. It's really pretty and a cool challenge," shares April N.
Wildlife viewing: Visitors regularly encounter local wildlife throughout the year. "We immediately saw a group of 4 deer lounging in the grass upon entering," one camper noted at Sanborn County Park. Another visitor at Mount Madonna mentioned, "I've seen deer in the seaside vernal pools, wild miniature ocean bunnies boxing in the morning sunshine, and a great white shark off the cliffs one fine day."
What campers like
Unique yurt accommodations: Steep Ravine Campground offers rustic cabins with ocean views just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families," explains Amber D. This provides an alternative yurt camping option for Pleasanton residents willing to drive.
Free amenities: Several campgrounds include unexpected free features. "Bath houses were also nice. Good hot showers. Can be windy. Since easy access it is busy, sometimes more noise in evenings to my liking," notes a camper about Brannan Island. Another visitor at Sanborn County Park appreciated that "the park provides carts to help with hauling gear, and storage boxes are provided at the site, near the picnic table."
Foggy microclimate: Redwood sites create unique weather patterns campers find fascinating. "This is the only place I've seen the redwood trees harvest the fog and make their own rain, which is pretty cool. In the morning it's raining under the redwood trees but not under the madrone or tan oak trees, which is wild," observed April N. at Mount Madonna.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Campground layout affects privacy and convenience. 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," explains Rich J. Evaluate site maps carefully before booking.
Temperature variations: Mountain campgrounds experience dramatic temperature drops. "It is a lot colder here than on the valley floor. Prepare for it to be 40deg colder than Gilroy or San Jose. We weren't prepared & had to drive into town & buy more clothes!" warns a camper at Mount Madonna.
Reservation windows: Popular sites require advance planning. Adam notes that for Steep Ravine, "you need to be ready to click 'reserve' on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time when I reserved."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused resorts: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park provides extensive entertainment for children. "We go with several families with kids 5-13 and they all have a blast. The price per night is very expensive but there are a lot of amenities. Nice playground, basketball court, volleyball, bouncy pillow, outdoor movies, pool, lazy river, water park," explains Katie B.
Tent site selection: When choosing sites with kids, prioritize location over price. "While the sites are a little close to each other, those on the outside of the loop had a great deal of privacy. Inner loop sites have none, but would be great if you were camping with friends," recommends Lori T.
Wildlife education: Many parks offer ranger programs. At Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA, one senior visitor shared, "We attended a presentation on the wild birds in the area that an employee provided, and then he took us on a hike through Costanoa and over to the ocean. He was awesome and the hike was great!"
Tips from RVers
Mid-week reservations: Several yurt camping options near Pleasanton, California offer better availability Monday-Thursday. "We stayed right on the levee. Bonus bike trail!!" shares an RVer at Brannan Island, noting "very few spots with hookups" but "beautiful campground" during their non-weekend stay.
Site dimensions: Check actual space measurements before booking. "Site 211 was listed as 30' trailer but that was definitely not the case as it was a weird triangle parking area. We made it work and enjoyed the park," warns Weston W. at Mount Madonna.
Extended stay benefits: Multi-day stays provide better value at premium sites. "We used their bathrooms and showers and was impressed by how clean they were. Most of the time we had them completely to ourselves and they were even climate controlled," notes a camper who discovered that longer stays at Mount Madonna allowed for exploring the multiple trail systems.
