Camping near San Carlos, California offers diverse environments from foggy coastal beaches to inland redwood forests within a short drive. The region sits at the boundary between coastal hills and the eastern peninsula slopes, creating microclimates that vary dramatically from cool 50°F foggy mornings at the beach to 90°F inland days during summer months. Most campgrounds require advance booking, with many sites filling 2-6 months ahead for peak season.
What to do
Coastal trail exploration: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides direct access to extensive coastal paths. "From the park you can head about a quarter of a mile and walk or ride the coastal path all the way to the marina or south to the Ritz Carlton," notes Patrick J. about the Half Moon Bay RV Park.
Redwood hiking: The peninsula offers multiple forest hiking options with varying difficulty. "The trails are well marked, and there are plenty of them! The sites have a lot of room and privacy," explains Lizzy C. about Ben Ries Campground at Butano State Park. For less strenuous walks, "There is a nature trail along the creek," according to MarinMaverick.
Wildlife viewing: The Coyote Hills area provides excellent bird watching. "There are many many trails for hiking and biking, and wildlife is plentiful," reports michael D. about Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay. Turkey sightings are common throughout regional parks, particularly in early mornings.
Water activities: While swimming is restricted in some areas, fishing opportunities exist. "The best part is the fishing at the nearby lake. Bass, Trout and Catfish primarily," mentions J.d. E. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
What campers like
Proximity to urban conveniences: The nearness to towns and cities without sacrificing natural settings appeals to many campers. "This campground, while in the heart of Fremont, feels remote and safe in spite of being close to town," explains michael D. about Dumbarton Quarry Campground. This accessibility makes quick resupply runs easy.
Temperature variations: Coastal campgrounds provide relief during heat waves. "The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground," writes Twindaddy about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Local food access: The coastal region offers specialty food options within short drives. "PCH is also dotted with farms and fruit stands, artisan pies, etc. The closest town is Pescadaro, and has a tiny main street with an excellent coffee shop, and grocery store with fresh baked pies, breads, jams, sauces, and a deli counter," shares Kathleen C. about camping near Butano State Park.
Night sky viewing: Despite proximity to urban areas, some spots offer decent stargazing. "Hard to find stars as you are canopied in trees but if you walk a little out, the night sky is dark and stars a plenty," notes Kathleen C. about Ben Ries Campground.
What you should know
Campsite privacy varies dramatically: Site spacing differs significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. "Most sites are within redwood groves," says Lizzy C. about Ben Ries Campground, while at RV parks, "Spots are tight," according to Corrie G. about San Francisco RV Resort.
Seasonal considerations: Fall and spring offer the best combination of pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. "I highly recommend camping in the spring or fall if you are prone to welt-y bug bites," advises Tai W. about Big Basin. Mosquitoes are most prevalent May through August at inland campgrounds.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Cleanliness and amenities differ between campgrounds. "Bathrooms are easily accessible but showers are a bit of a walk maybe 5 mins from your site. The only reason it gets 4 starts is because the quality of the showers and bathrooms could be much better," explains Lauren E. about camping at Butano State Park. Some sites offer showers for free while others require quarters (typically 25¢ for 2 minutes).
Reservation windows: Most campgrounds open reservations 6 months in advance through ReserveCalifornia or Recreation.gov. Holiday weekends often book completely on the first day reservations open. Last-minute weekday bookings are occasionally possible in non-summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated youth programs: Some parks offer seasonal ranger-led activities. "In summer months, there is a super cute camp shop, as well as activities for all the family," explains Josh J. about San Mateo Memorial Park, which runs programs primarily from mid-June through August.
Choose sites near playgrounds: Dumbarton Quarry Campground provides modern play equipment. "There's a great playground if you have small kids, and lots of gentle hiking trails," advises N V. The playground is centrally located within easy walking distance of most campsites.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds remain noisy later than others. "It can get very noisy at times, caterwauling drunks, people scream talking late at night etc. Usually its dies down around 11pm," reports Michael H. about San Mateo Memorial Park. Sites further from day-use areas typically experience less noise.
Creek access for kids: Water features provide entertainment for children. "There is a little creek that's only about a quarter mile hike down a trail," Carl N. mentions about San Mateo Memorial Park. The shallow creek is ideal for exploration but requires supervision.
Tips from RVers
Site angles and leveling: Many RV spaces require adjustment. "Sites, though asphalt, require some leveling," notes Kim G. about Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay. Bring leveling blocks as many sites have slight to moderate slopes.
Wind exposure consideration: Coastal RV parks experience regular wind. "Every time we have stayed here it has been windy," mentions Kim G. about Dumbarton Quarry. For class A and taller rigs, awnings may need frequent retraction during coastal stays.
Check hookup capacity: Electrical service varies between parks. "Full hook ups with 30 amp. (used my 50 amp adapter), no issues," reports Patrick J. about Half Moon Bay RV Park. Several campgrounds offer 30-amp service only, so bring an adapter if your rig requires 50-amp.
Arrival timing matters: The narrow roads leading to several campgrounds can be challenging for larger rigs. "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," advises Ryan W. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Mid-day arrivals avoid both traffic and wildlife encounters.
