Cabins and glamping options abound within an hour's drive of Richmond, California, with most concentrated along coastal and wooded areas. The region experiences moderate temperatures year-round with summer fog common at coastal sites and inland areas reaching 80-90°F during summer months. Campgrounds near Richmond often feature varied terrain from beach access to redwood groves, with many requiring reservations up to six months in advance.
What to do
Hike through redwoods and creeks: Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers hiking on trails through impressive redwoods with a paved path running alongside a creek. A camper shared, "There is also a paved path that runs for at least a mile or so along the creek, that used to be the old railroad line through that area. They have informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information."
Beach exploration and wildlife viewing: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides direct beach access with opportunities for wildlife spotting. "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 one visitor.
Stargazing and astronomy: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park features an observatory and nighttime programming. "There's great hiking, an observatory, and often nature events throughout the summer (docent led hikes for example). The volunteers who run the place do a fantastic job with everything," reports a camper.
Wine tasting excursions: Skyline Wilderness Park serves as an excellent base for Napa Valley exploration. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley, a little further to Sonoma but a nice drive," mentions a reviewer.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more separation than others. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, campers appreciate that "Sites are close, but have some privacy. Stream is accessible shallow. Beautiful trees."
Urban proximity with natural settings: Bicentennial Campground offers nature close to San Francisco. "Pretty peaceful. Lapping sounds of the ocean below," notes one reviewer, while another mentions it has "great hiking nearby and an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city."
Family-focused amenities: San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA receives praise for its kid-friendly features. "Had a blast here. A lot of different areas for the kids. Swimming, giant bounce area, and mild weather. Coffee bar, large play grounds and near shopping for any needs," reports one camper.
Walk-in beach sites: Several coastal campgrounds offer premium walk-in sites with ocean views. At Half Moon Bay State Beach, "lucky to have good weather and limited wind. beautiful walk in site (about 200 feet from car). other sites were crowded (more of a parking lot) but amazing location with access to beach. if you can get sites 36-38 go for it!"
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Many campgrounds require advance planning. At Coast Campground in Point Reyes, sites can be difficult to secure, especially during peak seasons. The campground requires "reservations are handled through the emailing the PDF reservation form to camp@presidiotrust.gov."
Weather variability: Coastal fog and temperature swings are common. At Half Moon Bay, "It was cool and breezy, but still enjoyable on the beach." Meanwhile, at inland sites like Sugarloaf Ridge, temperatures can vary significantly: "The weather was nice mid-April. Good amount of shade. Flat ground for tent."
Site selection strategy: Some campgrounds have dramatically different sites within the same property. At Coast Campground, "Coast Camp is kind of the tale of two campgrounds. Sites 1-7 are located on the inland side of the Coast Trail just south of the junction with Firelane Trail. They're spread out in a scrub-brush area that provides a nice amount of privacy and protection from the wind."
Accessibility constraints: Not all sites are drive-up. At Bicentennial Campground, "You have to reserve ahead of time, No drive in access, unloading our staff was very big work," reports one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Ranger programs and nature activities: Rob Hill Campground offers educational programming for kids. "The campsite's main distinction is the site for the Camping at the Presidio (CAP) program, which provides youth with meaningful outdoor experiences."
Short hike-in options for beginners: Coast Camp provides an approachable backpacking experience. "Fun baby backpacking trip with my husband. The hike to the campsite went by fast. Only 1.8 miles, not too bad on the elevation gain either."
Prepare for wildlife encounters: Several parks have notable wildlife viewing opportunities but require proper precautions. At Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, "We saw a rabbit, turkeys, lizards, deer, & quails! Seems they have lots of hikes available."
Seasonal considerations: Timing affects the family camping experience. A Sugarloaf Ridge visitor noted, "It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Olema Campground offers full RV services near Point Reyes. "Has numerous amenities including hot (free) showers (cleaned daily), flush toilets, full hookup RV spots, laundromat, US Post office, fenced playground, dog park, drive in tent sites, and firewood for sale."
Site layout challenges: Some RV areas have tight spacing. A visitor to Skyline Wilderness Park noted, "The campground is zero frills - you pull into a gravel lot and you're about 12 feet from your neighbors. The plus is friendly staff, amazing views, easy hookups, FREE showers and absolutely beautiful hikes that start right outside your door."
Glamping close to Richmond, California: For those seeking luxury camping experiences, San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA provides upscale outdoor accommodations. "Playgrounds, swimming pool, lots of space to run and scream. We stay when visiting the area and endure the screaming kids. The kids do have fun, I give them that."
Cell service and connectivity: Digital access varies by location. At Skyline Wilderness Park, "My fiancée and I both work remotely using hotspots on Verizon, and found no trouble at all. Data speeds wavered between 10 - 25 mbps depending on where we were on the property, but we could video conference and stream with no issues."
