San Mateo, California sits in a unique coastal-meets-forest zone with elevations ranging from sea level to over 2,000 feet in nearby hills. Camping sites near San Mateo offer visitors proximity to both Pacific coast bluffs and inland redwood forests, with temperature variations of 15-20°F between coastal and inland locations. Summer nights in coastal campgrounds can drop to the 50s even when daytime temperatures reach 70°F.
What to Do
Explore coastal trails: At Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground, campers can access a 4-mile coastal walking and biking path. "You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience," shares Jill F.
Visit local beaches: The San Mateo coast features several distinct beaches within short drives of camping areas. "If you want a dog friendly beach go just a little south to Poplar Beach where the doggos can roam free off leash and have a blast," notes Elliott B.
Hike through regional parks: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers extensive trail networks surrounding the lake. "There are plenty of easily accessible hiking and biking trails in the area. While you can get down to the lake easily, there's no swimming for either dogs or humans," explains Lori T.
Spot local wildlife: The campgrounds around San Mateo host diverse wildlife populations. "We saw a couple whales too. When it's clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore," reports Tom H. from San Francisco RV Resort.
What Campers Like
Oceanfront camping: Direct beach access ranks high among campers staying in coastal sites. "Lucky to have good weather and limited wind. Beautiful walk in site (about 200 feet from car). If you can get sites 36-38 go for it! Tent only for these sites," recommends Theresa N. from Half Moon Bay.
Convenient urban proximity: Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay provides campers with accessibility to urban amenities. "Close to town in spite of being in the heart of Fremont. Sites are not huge, but arranged in such a way as to feel private," shares Michael D.
Redwood forest environment: San Mateo Memorial Park offers a cooler, shaded camping experience. "Most every campsite is going to be in deep shade during the day, which is nice in summertime," notes Michael H., who also appreciates the "hundreds of miles of hiking trails" that make the area "a real natural treasure."
Clean facilities: Modern restrooms and showers are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. "Bathrooms were spotless and backing into our site was a breeze," writes Tim C. about Dumbarton Quarry Campground, while Ryan W. notes at Anthony Chabot that "the showers were great. Hot and FREE!"
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. "We stayed on a Thursday and Friday night. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken," reports Twindaddy about Anthony Chabot, highlighting how midweek stays offer better availability.
Weather patterns: Coastal campgrounds experience significant fog and wind. "When it's clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore. On the downside the 'campsites' are close together... it's more like a parking lot than a campground," notes Tom H. about San Francisco RV Resort.
Campsite privacy concerns: Many campgrounds have sites positioned close together. "The sites are close to each other, which matters because one of the other campers is right next to mine (46) and doesn't understand basic camp etiquettes like not using generators all night," explains Ryan W. from Anthony Chabot.
Wildlife encounters: Kirby Cove Campground and other locations report active wildlife. "The raccoons are vicious and fearless. Store all food and ANYTHING with a scent in the bear box," advises Gregory R.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly water features: Seek out campgrounds with creek access for children. "There is a little creek that's only about a quarter mile hike down a trail," Carl N. reports about San Mateo Memorial Park, while noting it's "only a 10 minute drive down to Pescadero State Beach."
Educational opportunities: Big Basin Redwoods State Park offers natural discovery options. "The slugs were hanging out in trees all around us and it was so much fun looking for them," shares Adventure M., who also notes "the sites were very spacious."
Site selection for families: Choose sites strategically based on proximity to facilities. "Campsite #69 has the best view but is next to trail. Very nice trails and not super far from town to get food," advises Daniel M. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Expect variable noise levels: Campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. "It can get very noisy at times, caterwauling drunks, people scream talking late at night etc. Usually it dies down around 11pm," observes Michael H. about San Mateo Memorial Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Trailer Villa RV Park offers convenient full-service options. "After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance. The grounds are clean; parking pads are concrete and flat," reports Tony C.
Site leveling considerations: Pay attention to the terrain when selecting RV sites. "Sites #1-4 back up to the Towhee Trail, so expect hikers to pass by close behind you. The better sites are #5-12 with #11 and #12 being the best," recommends Lori T. about Anthony Chabot.
RV site spacing: Coastal RV parks tend to have tighter spacing. "We stayed in a spot without hookups and it was $35 per night. Gate staff was friendly and helpful," shares Michell C. about Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground.
Urban convenience: Some RV parks offer quick access to city attractions. "We stayed here as we had baseball game tickets in SF during our RV trip. Close to city and in a safe area. Liked sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves and was able to use full hookups," notes Sary W. about San Francisco RV Resort.
