Best Campgrounds near South San Francisco, CA

Camping options around South San Francisco range from oceanfront RV resorts to state park campgrounds and urban RV parks. The San Francisco RV Resort in Pacifica offers cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean, while Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides beach access camping opportunities approximately 20 miles south of the city. Candlestick RV Park represents one of the closest options to San Francisco proper, situated in an urban setting. Most facilities accommodate RVs with full hookups, though tent camping is available at select locations including Anthony Chabot Regional Park east of the bay.

Reservations are strongly recommended throughout the region due to high demand and limited space. Many campgrounds operate year-round, though winter brings cooler temperatures and occasional coastal fog. Sites near the ocean typically command premium prices, with rates often exceeding $100 per night for RV spots with utilities. Public transportation access varies by location - Candlestick RV Park offers relatively convenient transit connections to downtown San Francisco, while coastal options require private transportation. A visitor noted, "If you want to explore San Francisco this is a great spot from which to base yourself and not really a destination in of itself."

Urban camping near San Francisco generally means relatively compact spaces with minimal privacy. Several reviews mention the tight arrangement at San Francisco RV Resort, with one camper describing it as "essentially a parking lot on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea." Sites closer to the city center like Candlestick RV Park feature utilitarian setups primarily serving as convenient basecamps for city exploration. Those seeking more natural surroundings might prefer the developed campgrounds at Angel Island State Park (accessible only by ferry) or Anthony Chabot Regional Park in the East Bay hills. According to feedback, many visitors choose these locations specifically for proximity to urban attractions rather than the camping experience itself, with one review stating "the location is the best, a quick walk to coffee, food and groceries."

Best Camping Sites Near South San Francisco, California (134)

    1. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    29 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $25 - $200 / night

    "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."

    2. Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground

    27 Reviews
    Half Moon Bay, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 726-8819

    $35 - $165 / night

    "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."

    3. San Francisco RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Pacifica, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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."

    4. Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $40 - $75 / night

    "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"

    5. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    11 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    14 miles
    Website

    "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."

    6. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "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. "

    7. Candlestick RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Brisbane, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 822-2299

    "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."

    8. Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay

    10 Reviews
    Newark, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $45 - $65 / night

    "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."

    "Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps."

    9. Pillar Point RV Park

    6 Reviews
    El Granada, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 712-9277

    $95 / night

    "Walking distance to shops and restaurants, walking and bike trails, beach access, and friendly staff!"

    "Great spot right off the highway and on the beach. Lots of activities and places to eat within walking distance. Surfing, walking/bike trails, kayaking….Pet friendly"

    10. Trailer Villa RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Redwood City, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (650) 366-7880

    "Clean, has some views from far border of the hills but the spots are tight and there is not much to do but hook-up."

    "After-hours check-in was a breeze, as the checkin instructions were taped to the main door of the office at the park entrance."

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Recent Reviews near South San Francisco, CA

761 Reviews of 134 South San Francisco Campgrounds


  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    San Francisco RV Resort

    Close to City

    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.

    Bathrooms were pretty dirty - not as pictured. Although I liked that the showers locked. Rec area was very run down. Laundry has mobile payment and was clean and accessible.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Pantoll

    Very nice small campground on Mt Tam. All sites are a small walk up on a hill kind of steep. Ranger station at parking lot that sells firewood. Water faucets, bathrooms. No showers. Bear lockers.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Very quite/ beautiful sites

    We’re hoping to get a spot with less of a hill to climb but on the top it’s a nice flat terrain. Nice view some campsites are closer to watch other than others.

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Redwood Resort RV Park & Campground

    Friendly and quiet

    Was able to book the night before and get the last full hookup spot. The man who checked us in was super friendly and answered all of my partners questions and even helped us with some basic RV knowledge as we’re new.

    Redwoods are super pretty. Area outside of the RV park isn’t super walkable though. Bathrooms are fine for the price and very clean.

    Situated near the people who live in the park and they were super friendly and quiet.

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    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

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Santa Cruz Redwoods RV Resort

    Lovely RV site!

    Really lovely RV site. Nice toilets & showers. Lovely shady spots and really close to Santa Cruz

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    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. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Olema Campground

    Nice spot, little privacy

    Lovely large meadow with scattered trees. RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields.

    Somewhat noisy - kids, dogs, radios - but settled down by 9. Friendly vibe. Expensive at $83/nt but good showers. Wifi was slow when I stayed.

    Decent backup option for the area if Samuel Taylor is booked.


Guide to South San Francisco

Camping near South San Francisco offers a fantastic escape into nature, with beautiful parks and campgrounds just a short drive away. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The local trails and creeks were breathtaking," making it a great spot for both novice and experienced hikers.
  • Wildlife Watching: At Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground, keep an eye out for wildlife. A visitor noted, "We were able to take a closeup look at wild turkeys," adding a fun twist to your camping experience.
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores at New Brighton State Beach Campground. One camper shared, "Great views and easy access to the beach," perfect for a day of sun and surf.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One review for Bodega Dunes Campground said, "The sites were distant enough to give each camper privacy," making it a peaceful getaway.
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park mentioned, "The VERY cleanest restrooms, with the added convenience of hand soap!!"
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families enjoy the amenities at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA. One parent noted, "This place is busy and expensive but great for kids," highlighting the fun activities available for children.

What you should know:

  • Reservations: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground said, "Always tough to get a reservation, but it never disappoints if you can get one."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A visitor at Anthony Chabot Regional Park shared, "We had two new types of visitors... aggressive yellow jackets," so keep your food secure.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited facilities. A reviewer at Sunset State Beach mentioned, "There is NO dump station or water for RVs anywhere at this campground," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and pools. One camper at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA said, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A family at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground noted, "Campsite is clean and well maintained," which is great for kids to run around.
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. A visitor at New Brighton State Beach Campground mentioned, "Cool weather along the beach, can't ask for much more," so pack accordingly for cooler evenings.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground mentioned, "Not sure that this place would be good for giant rigs though."
  • Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump station is located. A camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park said, "The dump station was in good working order," which is helpful for RV travelers.
  • Space Considerations: Be aware of site sizes. A visitor at Mount Madonna County Park noted, "The sites are a little close to each other," so plan your setup accordingly.

Camping near South San Francisco offers a mix of beautiful scenery, family-friendly activities, and unique wildlife experiences. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone in this area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near South San Francisco, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South San Francisco, CA is Anthony Chabot Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.

What parks are near South San Francisco, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near South San Francisco, CA that allow camping, notably Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.