Samuel P. Taylor State Park sits beneath a redwood canopy just 15 miles northwest of San Rafael, California. This wooded sanctuary maintains cooler temperatures than surrounding areas, with nighttime temperatures dropping significantly even during summer months. The creek that runs through the campground varies in flow seasonally, providing swimming opportunities in deeper pools during warmer months.
What to do
Explore coastal beaches: From Steep Ravine Campground, access miles of coastline for tide pooling or swimming. "You can surf, go hiking, or fishing. To hike towards Stinson Beach or Dipsea Trail, head back up to the gate entrance and walk across the street," notes one visitor.
Attend astronomy programs: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers guided night hikes and star gazing tours. "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time! The visitor center has snacks and ice cream bars, firewood, simple essentials," reports a camper who appreciated the experience.
Watch for wildlife: Samuel P. Taylor State Park provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "Raccoons, Chipmunks and Blue Jays were NOT SHY but also not a harrowing issue," mentions one visitor who enjoyed the natural residents without finding them problematic.
Visit local vineyards: Wine country exploration is convenient from many campgrounds. One visitor to Skyline Wilderness Park shared, "Literally 5 mins outside of the town of Napa. Ate at an amazing Brazilian Steakhouse and came to camp in just a short drive."
What campers like
Seasonal water features: Winter and spring camping offers unique natural attractions. A Sugarloaf Ridge camper noted, "You can walk to a trail to check out a waterfall from there (pretty darn steep!)."
Ocean proximity: Coast Campground provides immediate beach access. "The beach was sandy and beautiful, not that many people around," remarks one visitor who appreciated the relative solitude compared to more populated beaches.
Diverse terrain: Campgrounds near San Rafael transition from redwood forests to coastal bluffs within short distances. "The entire Mount Tamalpais watershed is within 30 minutes drive from this location. The hiking trails that join from the coast all the way to Mill Valley and central Marin are walking distance from this site," explains a visitor.
Cleanliness: San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA maintains well-kept grounds. "It is a big campground, but very well organized and very neat. Lots of space between campsites and lots of trees," reports a camper who typically prefers less crowded sites.
What you should know
Temperature fluctuations: Coastal fog creates significant temperature drops. A Samuel P. Taylor camper advised, "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers."
Reservation timing: Glamping close to San Rafael, California requires advance planning. One visitor to Steep Ravine noted, "This place is awesome. It's a short hike from the hostel and has running water and pit toilets. It's right at the beach so it gets windy in the summer. Fall is best."
Wildlife precautions: Olema Campground visitors should secure food properly. "There is a great restuarant down the road and a church next door! That being said you are at the gateway to a large fabulous national seashore," notes a tent camper who appreciated the location's amenities and proximity to natural areas.
Noise considerations: Road noise affects some campgrounds. "It's a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping. Also, if you're tent camping, the vehicle noise from the nearby Sir Francis Drake Blvd can be distracting if you are a light sleeper," warns a Samuel P. Taylor visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Enclosed playgrounds: Family glamping near San Rafael offers dedicated recreation areas. "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," shares a San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA visitor.
Educational programs: Look for campgrounds with nature activities. "They have everything you need for a great weekend! We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" mentions a Sugarloaf Ridge camper who enjoyed the organized programs.
Novice-friendly options: Bicentennial Campground provides beginner-appropriate camping. "This is an excellent primitive campground with 3 sites. 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," notes a visitor who appreciates the balance of wilderness and convenience.
Child-oriented amenities: Some facilities cater specifically to younger campers. "This KOA also offered all sorts of amenities for families including a small petting zoo, a pool, playground areas, and more," shares a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly focus.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When glamping in luxury RVs near San Rafael, choose sites strategically. "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 for the wind," advises a Coast Camp visitor.
Maneuvering challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. "After looping around to approach the site, I found the streets all very tight for RV maneuvering. The place was packed," notes a San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA visitor who found navigation challenging.
Hookup availability: RV sites vary in amenities. "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. Picnic table, some full hook-ups and some partial," mentions a Skyline Wilderness visitor.
