166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
San Leandro, California serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences throughout the East Bay and beyond. Within a 30-minute drive, Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers year-round camping with both tent and RV sites nestled among oak woodlands overlooking Lake Chabot. Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay provides a newer camping option with excellent Bay views and full hookups for RVs. The surrounding region encompasses everything from coastal campgrounds at Half Moon Bay State Beach to redwood forest retreats in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Most campgrounds in the area maintain developed facilities with drinking water, restrooms, and picnic tables, though site sizes and privacy levels vary considerably.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill months in advance. As one camper noted about Half Moon Bay, "California Beach Parks are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance," though last-minute cancellations occasionally open spots. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer and fall months. Many campgrounds in the region have specific quiet hours and strict pet policies. Cell service ranges from excellent at urban-adjacent sites like Dumbarton Quarry to non-existent in more remote locations. Weather conditions remain mild year-round, though summer fog is common at coastal sites and inland areas can experience hot days during July through September.
Campers frequently mention the contrast between proximity to urban areas and natural experiences. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, visitors appreciate the "decent views with the setting sun through the trees, and the knowledge that the Bay is in the distance." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer and turkeys, are common in early mornings. Site spacing remains a consistent concern, with many reviewers noting close quarters at popular campgrounds. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to larger regional trail systems, making them excellent basecamps for day hikes. The region's campgrounds generally receive high marks for cleanliness and maintenance, with several offering free hot showers—a rarity in many camping areas. For those seeking urban convenience with natural settings, the campgrounds surrounding San Leandro provide accessible options without requiring long travel times.
"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
"Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."
from $25 - $200 / night
Check Availability"What they do have are scores of hookup sites for $60 / night and three tent / drive-in no hookup water-only sites for $45 / night."
"The showers are roomy with ok water pressure (for California) and warm water. The laundry is super convenient. They even have summer ranger programs but we didn’t see many kids here."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"This mountain has many of hiking trails for various levels of hikers."
"Live Oak is the closest to the entrance (and town), and features some cool rock formations to explore, but it's colder, has terrible cellular data service, and doesn't quite have the sunset / sunrise views"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance."
"Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas. small but good size sites for where it is."
from $35 - $165 / night
Check Availability"If you want a great little place with quick easy access to San Francisco that has a great view of the ocean this place is great! And affordable!"
"Very nice park for an on the water location, I've been to some where you can't even turn without hitting someone."
"The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."
"If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"
from $40 - $75 / night
Check Availability"I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."
"Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."
"Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"
"Campsites are walk in throughout the island. Remember there will be fog and there will be wind. We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The Fairview RV Park is a great Bay Area location easy to find right off hwy 680, in the Alameda county fairgrounds. The staff are all pleasant to work with and the park and facilities are clean."
"If the Alameda Fairgrounds are having an event, you can't beat this location, it's on the property."
"Or Muni which takes about double the time including walk to the station. Great WiFi. It's a parking lot with close neighbors. Nice and clean facilities."
ScoutThis location is perfect for people who are looking for the wind. Everyone is pretty respectful of one another. First come first serve $45/night. Not well maintained the road was flooded and it hadn’t rained in weeks in the area. Not well maintained. Must have self contained camper: van, rv, trailer. Tight quarters, it’s like a parking lot of vehicles camping right next to one another. There is a boat launch.
TravelerI loved my stay here! I had a lot of tasks and couldn't have asked for a better place to accomplish them. I particularly appreciated the close coastal access, the birds and the clean, comfortable surroundings. Staff was welcoming and friendly throughout my stay. Highly recommend this gem!
GuideVery nice for a one night stop. Very windy road to get to the park. Sites are well kept and have a solid amount of room. Super clean bathrooms and good free showers. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!
GuidePopped in and only a few campers there. A bridge away from towns. Hot showers. Squirrels galore. Ill be back.
ScoutIt’s kinda more like a last choice in the area. I’m happy I had the opportunity to stay there (to compare the other campsites) and it is nicely set up with running water, picnic table, and pit toilets. Campsite 10 though is the worst of ‘em. Set directly in the middle with no privacy and no shade.
Whenever someone opened the pit toilet doors, the smell wafted gracefully like a hammer out of nowhere to abuse my olfactory senses! Just trying to be real and give the scoops.
The NPS does a great job with maintaining the campsite BUT I would definitely pick any of the other locations first. Eg Sky, Coast, or Wildcat. That being said, if there was nothing else available, I’d stay there again. Get in late and leave early.
TravelerReally wonderful spot to be. They have multiple camping options and day pass options. For RV setups your choices are parking, water only, and the works (water, electrical, waste dumping with fire pit and camping table).
Its a bit far from anything but if youre just looking to camp, charge, and relax then this is the spot for you. They have showes, bathrooms, and laundry on site.
Final notes, there are multiple hiking trails and wildlife to see, including a lovely group of Turkeys who don't mind you getting a little close for photo ops.
ScoutNice staff, hot clean showers, great location, good campsites
GuideCalled on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
LegendGeneral: Many different options: pull-thru and back-in FHU sites, tent sites, bungalows, tent bungalows, cabins, and a lodge. Note that in early 2025, ownership changed and it is no longer a KOA.
Site Quality: As would be expected in an RV park, the sites are very close together with little to no foliage to separate them. The sites in the Eucalyptus loop where we were had back-in sites, with a paved driveway, and are level. The sites have a picnic table, a fire ring, and wood-fenced platforms. What is confusing is that the platforms and tables are not always directly behind the site. They are labeled with the site number, but again, they are close together, and if the campground is crowded, there is no privacy. Bath/Shower: There are two bathhouses for the RV sites. Each gender has one shower, three toilets, and two sinks with soap and paper towels. They were immaculate. I was lucky not to have to wait for a shower, but if full, I heard there are waits.
Activities/Amenities: There is a spa on site, but we did not check it out (not sure if you need to be a lodge guest to use). Other amenities include a restaurant (which was fantastic), general store, sauna, meeting space, playground, giant Jenga and chess board, and community fire pits. You can rent bikes, golf carts, and dune buggies. On weekends and in season, there are other activities and a bar cart that makes the rounds.
This is not our preferred type of camping, and it is expensive, but we enjoyed time here as we met family for a couple of days.
Camping options near San Leandro range from bayside locations to hillside retreats within a 45-minute drive. The region sits at the convergence of coastal influence and inland valley weather patterns, creating mild temperatures throughout most of the year but with significant microclimates. Campsites in the immediate area often fill completely during summer weekends, with midweek availability increasing dramatically from October through April.
Hiking at Coyote Hills: Dumbarton Quarry Campground connects to miles of trails along the bay shoreline. As one camper noted, "There are many trails for hiking and biking, and wildlife is plentiful. Our RV is small and we used the showers and bathrooms quite a bit. They are cleaned daily and we're always in great shape."
Mountain biking at Mount Diablo: Trails range from gentle grades to challenging technical routes with 3,000+ feet of elevation gain. A visitor to Live Oak Campground shared, "We had an excellent view of the city and the bridge. There were a lot of people, including a bunch of teenagers, hanging out at the rest area. Plus, quite a few people stopping just to take a quick photograph."
Beach day trips: Half Moon Bay beaches are accessible within 40 minutes. According to a Francis Beach Campground camper: "This has it all. Beautiful beach walking distance from campground. Bike or walking trails to wonderful beaches and places to eat. Short drive to many other areas."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning offers the best opportunities for deer and bird sightings. "We saw a mix of wildlife. Deer, hawks, wild turkeys. We saw an amazing sunset too," reported a Mount Diablo visitor.
Morning light and wildlife: The rolling hills around Anthony Chabot create ideal wildlife viewing at sunrise. One visitor commented, "Nice clean decent cell service. Lots of birds singing. The views of the lake are very nice. Would stay again."
Waterfront settings: Several campgrounds offer water views or direct beach access. A Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground visitor shared: "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."
Urban proximity with nature access: Campgrounds in the region balance accessibility with natural settings. According to one Angel Island State Park camper: "When I got an invite last minute from a friend I reconnected with, I had to go. I am so glad I did! 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."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain better-than-average restrooms and common areas. A Dumbarton Quarry visitor noted: "This campground opened in August 2021, so the facilities are still brand-spanking new. They haven't yet installed the washer/dryer and haven't yet locked in a vendor to operate the camp store, but I'm told those things are coming."
Reservation windows: Most campgrounds open reservations 6 months in advance and fill immediately for summer weekends. For Angel Island, "There are only 10 sites on the island and being so accessible from the San Francisco Bay Area, you can see why it is in so high demand."
Environmental conditions: Bay Area microclimates create variable camping conditions. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, "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."
Site privacy considerations: Most campgrounds feature relatively close spacing between sites. One visitor noted at Anthony Chabot, "Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious."
Vehicle restrictions: Some parks limit vehicle size or access. At Mount Diablo, "plan on a 45 minute drive from town to the top, longer if you are doing it on a weekend when you'll be waiting to pass cyclists."
Accessible trails: Multiple campgrounds offer flat or gently graded hiking options. A Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay visitor shared: "There's a great playground if you have small kids, and lots of gentle hiking trails. If you hate wind, you should know it can get windy here."
Wildlife education opportunities: Ranger programs and abundant wildlife viewing create learning experiences. "The park is so new that the laundry facility is not up and running yet. Bathrooms were spotless and backing into our site was a breeze. Best part about the campground is access to miles of trails by the side of the bay."
Weather preparation: Pack layers even in summer months. At H. Dana Bower Rest Area, one camper advised: "Also, cold here in the summer. Pack for fall weather."
Food storage precautions: Wildlife ranging from raccoons to small rodents actively target food. At Kirby Cove, "I've been camping my whole life and NEVER have I seen raccoons so persistent. Not aggressive. Just persistent. And fearless. They. Will. Not. Leave. You. Alone."
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds in the area require blocks or leveling systems. At Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park, "Sites are grassy, some with trees, and pretty close together."
Hookup availability: Full hookups remain limited at most public campgrounds but common at private parks. One RVer at Dumbarton Quarry noted: "What they do have are scores of hookup sites for $60 / night and three tent / drive-in no hookup water-only sites for $45 / night."
Site spacing considerations: Proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. A San Francisco RV Resort visitor shared: "On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn't a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet."
Access and navigation challenges: Many San Leandro camping areas have narrow access roads. As one RVer at Mount Diablo cautioned, "If you are queasy about motion, plan on bringing a plastic bag to vomit in. There are no guard rails, so if your driver isn't paying attention off you go down the mountain."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near San Leandro, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, San Leandro, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near San Leandro, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near San Leandro, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Leandro, CA is Anthony Chabot Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near San Leandro, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near San Leandro, CA.
What parks are near San Leandro, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near San Leandro, CA that allow camping, notably Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.
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