Several state parks and private campgrounds near Sausalito, California provide rustic cabin rentals with varying amenities. Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers secluded cabins with electricity, outlets, and heating systems, requiring guests to bring only bedding and personal items. The cabins include dish washing stations at nearby restrooms and access to shower facilities. Steep Ravine Campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park features oceanfront cabins with wood-burning stoves but no electricity. According to visitor Amber D., "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families." Most cabins include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water, with some offering kitchen facilities or outdoor grills.
Cabin types range from basic rustic structures to more comfortable furnished units, with availability varying seasonally. The Steep Ravine cabins are notoriously difficult to reserve, requiring bookings up to six months in advance. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offers pet-friendly cabin options with more modern amenities, while Olema Campground provides cabin rentals closer to Point Reyes National Seashore. Most state park cabins accommodate 4-6 people with sleeping platforms or bunk beds. Some locations like Samuel P. Taylor State Park maintain cabins year-round, while others have seasonal closures. One visitor noted that the cabins at Samuel P. Taylor are "perfect for the mini-vacation style 'let's throw a few things in a bag, low effort' camping trips."
Visitors should bring their own linens, pillows, blankets, and cooking equipment to most cabin locations. While Samuel P. Taylor cabins include electricity and heating, Steep Ravine cabins require guests to bring lanterns, candles, and additional seating as they only provide fixed sleeping platforms, a built-in table, and wooden benches. Food storage varies by location, with some cabins offering secure lockers to protect supplies from wildlife. Small general stores operate at certain campgrounds, though selection is limited. Most cabins are located within 15-20 minutes of larger towns where more extensive groceries and supplies can be purchased. Firewood is typically available for purchase from camp hosts or at entrance gates, with most cabin sites including outdoor fire rings or grills for cooking.
$35 - $225 / night
"Site had a fire ring, picnic table, and a stone grill. The grounds had running water, flush toilets and quarter showers. Camped here at night and explored point reyes during the day."
"This campground is beautiful, set in the redwoods, with a creek and nature trails. It has all the amenities: flush toilets, showers, fire pits, running water, and grills."
$25 - $100 / night
"These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families."
"There are dish washing spigots scattered among the cabins. There are wheelbarrows for schlepping your stuff to the cabins and campsites; more on that later. And charcoal grills outside each cabin."
"My site had plenty of shade, fire pit, picnic table, and water nearby."
"Small store, full hookups in places (will bring our trailer back), tables, fire rings. Not much privacy but at least this weekend it was quiet (except for our group 🤣)"
"Like most (if not all) KOAs, you can also tent camp or tent cabins. Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos."
"A nice KOA close to Petaluma with great facilities. We took advantage of doing some laundry and having a hot shower."
"A ton of great hiking and horseback riding trails. Literally 5 mins outside of the town of Napa. Ate at an amazing Brazilian Steakhouse and came to camp in just a short drive."
"Super easy access and safe, in the city so close to wineries, restaurants and shops. We were here as a stop in our road trip so it was a perfect stay. They provide WiFi and hot shower."
$43 / night
"Water fountains/spigots relatively easy to find near most campsites. Bathhouse is next to site 10, operates with quarters."
"We set up our tent towards the back of the site closest to the creek because it was more private. The only concern was that there was a slight downward slope."
$15 - $200 / night
"It’s a cozy place with boat rentals! Plenty of shade and bathrooms available. Only reason got 4 star is the constant blue-green algae, making the water unavailable for swimming."
"Our campsite (#139) could have used some shade, but we had plenty of space and the views were awesome. Almost every site was occupied, but luckily everyone respected the quiet hours."
"If you wanna rv and craving crab,chowder, and oysters this is the spot for you, full hook up,fire pit , and picnic table walking distance to a restaurant and shops great views very relaxing...the down"
"This place was great full hook up W,E,S,C you get a fire pit and a picnic table, 3 minute walk to restaurant and deli, public restroom is clean every morning and garbage gets emptied...amazing views the"
$100 - $200 / night
"Once we figured it out, the late check in paperwork was detailed on how to find our space."
"I’m taking this up a notch to five full stars because I don’t think it’s fair to compare it to a national park anymore. It’s its own thing and it’s very successful at it."
TravelerThese cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families. No electricity but the wood burning stove provides some light. Bring candles and lanterns and some fabric for curtains for privacy.
GuideI loved the quaint feel of our campsite. The only downside was that the main road runs alongside the grounds. Our site was small but my eyes were pleased by how it looked. Site had a fire ring, picnic table, and a stone grill. The grounds had running water, flush toilets and quarter showers.
Camped here at night and explored point reyes during the day.
GuideThis KOA is pretty big with plenty of options for RV sites. Wide variety of full hook-ups or partial hook-ups. Like most (if not all) KOAs, you can also tent camp or tent cabins. Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos. For us, this is a great spot to shoot down the highway and pull in for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life! Close to downtown Petaluma with plenty of premium shops and restaurants.
TravelerThis campground is beautiful, set in the redwoods, with a creek and nature trails. It has all the amenities: flush toilets, showers, fire pits, running water, and grills. The only drawback is the sites are small and close together, affording very little privacy. The campground can be pretty loud at night too. If you're looking for peace, quiet, and seclusion, this might not be the campground for you. We really enjoyed it though because we have a three year old, and with all the other noise in the campground, I didn't have to feel bad when she was being loud. Also, watch out for the raccoons! They stole my bread that I stupidly left out, and then tried to get into our ice chest. There are lockers provided at each campsite. Use them!
TravelerWe have previously tent camped and car camped here and we really enjoy it. It can get warm in the summer, but the cool moist ocean fog comes in and blankets the area in the evenings, which can really cool it down. On our first visit, there was no running water or showers, but they did have portapotties. On our second visit, water was available, but it was not potable, and the showers and toilets were still not working. Not sure if that is a Covid related issue or a temporary maintenance issue. It’s worth a drive through prior to staying, in order to find a site that fits your needs, they have many different sized sites available, and we like the sites in the high teens (18 & 19), as they seem a bit larger and are right along the creek. The sites appear to be your standard state park equipment with a fire pit, a picnic table and a lockable pantry. The parking area for our site was large enough to accommodate our SUV and another vehicle. There is firewood generally available with the camp host or at the gate. Good cell signal with Verizon. Because of the amazing redwood canopy, it might be hard to get good sun for solar in most of the sites. There are all kinds of trails available, as well as 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. Access to the creek is seasonally restricted for spawning, and I believe that goes from spring to about mid June or July. Also, lots of poison oak in the unmaintained areas and off the trails, so be aware.
ScoutThe group site was spacious and had a wate spigot, two fire rings, two grills and three picnic tables. There was room for two vehicles and is right next to a bathroom with quarter showers. It's a large campground in a beautiful park. Didn't hike but enjoyed road biking around.
GuideSmall, cozy campground located in the heart of wine country. Site contains fire pit, picnic tables, and bear locker. Several prominent wineries located near by as well as a charming town called Calistoga. Sites and bathrooms were well maintained. Good option if you're doing Napa on a budget!
TravelerThis is a big campground with everything you need for boating and fishing. They have a big boat launch for easy launching. They closed their boat berths because they were rotting. They have one cabin with electricity. It has a bunk bed And a queen. Bring air mattresses cause they are just wooden frames. Very close to the Sacramento River for a nice cruise.
TravelerHow is it possible that I am the first to review this place, the number one most difficult to reserve spot in all of California (and therefore presumably all of America)?!
So the cabins are not only notoriously difficult to reserve -- you need to be ready to click "reserve" on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time when I reserved -- but kind of expensive for what they are, at $100/night plus reservation fee.
For that, you get your own seaside cabin with million dollar views just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sleeping platforms for about 6 people split among 3 semi-private rooms. Flush toilets at the parking lot and an honor system for buying firewood bundles with kindling. A full-time host lives in the house at the parking lot. There are dish washing spigots scattered among the cabins. There are wheelbarrows for schlepping your stuff to the cabins and campsites; more on that later. And charcoal grills outside each cabin. A couple general use picnic tables scattered about. So those are the basics you can read anywhere.
Various thoughts and recommendations, based on my solo weekend visit in mid-March 2018, staying in Cabin 7 at the bottom of the hill closest to the little beach:
My advice? If you're a small party that just wants a couple days with the gorgeous oceanfront views and location, stay at the tent sites, not the cabins. You won't sleep with one eye open waiting for the mousetraps to pop, and it's a flat, easy portage from the parking lot to the campsites. Easier to keep clean, and I find cooking outside to be less of a hassle and easier to clean up than doing it inside the cabin where there isn't any water, sink, or spillage containment solution. Cheaper and (barely) easier to reserve a tent site, too.
If you're intent on having the cabin experience, or if you're staying in winter, or staying for more than a couple days, or have kids and really want to set up house, then go for a cabin, and I'd recommend choosing a cabin close to the parking lot. They're actually more private and you can use the wheelbarrows to move your stuff from car to cabin. The cabins further away from the parking lot are further down the hill; wheelbarrows are not an option, and footing is iffy when carrying large, heavy items up and down from the parking lot. Views are the same from all cabins so you're not losing any benefits. I'll try for CB04 next time.
But take whatever cabin you can get, and check "Steep Ravine Cabins" off your camping bucket list.
Cabin accommodations near Sausalito offer year-round access with overnight temperatures typically dropping to the 40s°F even in summer months. The coastal fog pattern impacts cabin stays with morning fog frequently clearing by midday, then returning in evening hours. Several campgrounds maintain cabin structures within the fogbelt where humidity levels consistently remain above 60% even during dry seasons.
Hiking direct from campsites: The campgrounds at Samuel P. Taylor State Park provide immediate trail access with several options for day hikes. "There are nice hiking trails in the park though they are closed currently (Dec 2020) due to the fire in the area. There was no damage to the campground even though the fire burned into the grounds," notes robert S. about the area.
Beach activities: Many cabin rentals position visitors within walking distance of coastal access points. At Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park, cabins provide proximity to marine environments. "A short walk you can access a small beach. Clean restrooms," explains Kevin D. from his stay at the property.
Wildlife viewing: The areas surrounding cabins near Sausalito feature diverse wildlife throughout the year. "I've seen deer in the seaside vernal pools, wild miniature ocean bunnies boxing in the morning sunshine, and a great white shark off the cliffs one fine day," shares Nikata L. about her experiences at Mount Tamalpais.
Proximity to urban amenities: Cabins provide quick access to nearby towns for supplies or dining. "The win on this campground is how close it is to Point Reyes National Seashore, San Rafael, Olema, Novato and Marshall. I would highly recommend Five Brooks Ranch in Olema for horseback riding," recommends Kathleen C. about Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
Private, spacious cabins: At Costanoa KOA, accommodation layouts provide ample space for families. "We found the campground to be super clean the bathrooms to be ultra clean. The restaurant at the lodge, the Cascade, was phenomenal," writes Alma L. about her stay at the property.
Seasonal access: Many cabin properties maintain year-round availability with different seasonal experiences. "Cold just a heads up be prepared for wind and overcast weather," notes one reviewer about Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA when describing coastal conditions.
Reservation challenges: Many cabin properties have specific booking requirements with limited availability. "We've been lucky enough to score one of these cabins twice by checking in every so often to see if someone cancelled a reservation," explains alana C. about securing cabins at Steep Ravine.
Wildlife preparations: Proper food storage is essential at cabin locations. "They have raccoons but don't tell you that, we didn't leave anything out but had muddy footprints all over our table in the morning!" shares Jennifer J. about Porto Bodega cabins.
Temperature fluctuations: Cabin accommodations experience significant temperature changes. "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers," advises Kathleen C. about the Samuel P. Taylor area.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several properties offer specific amenities for children. "It's fantastic at catering families with kids. The bike rentals were a hit with the kids and I know they were lots of activities," explains Alma L. about Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA.
Nearby attractions: Combining cabin stays with day trips enhances family experiences. "The kids love the playground and try their hand at shuffleboard. Close to multiple beaches," shares Outdoordude D. about Olema Campground facilities.
Noise considerations: Family-oriented cabin areas can experience varying noise levels. "The weekends usually are full, it clears out Sunday evening so during the weekdays it is really nice," explains robert S. about optimal timing for quieter stays.
Site selection: For those with RVs looking at cabin options as alternatives, site layout matters. "We nestled our Sprinter between to large pine trees and took the dog for a walk. Then headed down the road for our first dinner indoors since February!" notes Maureen F. about her stay at Olema Campground.
Hookup variations: When comparing RV sites versus cabins, utilities differ significantly. "The spots are extremely tight to the point that our slide out was hitting vegetation and our neighbors awning was about two feet from our Rv," shares Andrea A. about Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA.
Off-season advantages: Many cabin properties offer better availability during shoulder seasons. "We stayed here over a weekend when they have their most activities. We attended a presentation on the wild birds in the area that an employee provided," reports Dave about the programming at Santa Cruz North-Costanoa KOA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Sausalito, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Sausalito, CA is Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 54 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Sausalito, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 cabin camping locations near Sausalito, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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