The San Francisco Bay Area's eastern edge offers multiple camping options within a 30-minute drive of Union City. Located between Fremont and Hayward, this region combines urban convenience with natural landscapes where summers reach 70-80°F and winters remain mild. Evening temperatures can drop significantly with consistent bay breezes, particularly at campsites nearest the water.
What to do
Hiking with dogs: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers extensive trails where leashed pets are welcome. "There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground. It's popular, especially on the weekends, and I'd recommend reservations," notes Amanda P. about this Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Fishing opportunities: Del Valle Campground provides access to lake fishing with multiple species. "The marina to Lake Del Valle is a few miles away. They rent recreational boats as well as aluminum fishing boats. There is a swimming beach area and they rent kayaks as well," explains Ed E. about Del Valle Campground.
Mountain views: Mount Diablo State Park offers camping with panoramic vistas. "We watched the sunset over the Bay Area, whew, it was spectacular. Hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush," reports Linda A. about the elevated position and clear sightlines.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The bathrooms at Sunol Regional Wilderness receive frequent maintenance. "The campground is clean and quiet. No generators are allowed which isn't an issue since there are full hookups at all 12 RV sites," notes Lori T., highlighting the practical benefits at Mount Diablo State Park.
Urban accessibility: Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground offers coastal access with city convenience. "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," shares Helen F. about Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Union City provide opportunities to observe local animals. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," shares Amanda P.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures require preparation at inland sites. "We went during the summer and it was very hot. The camp ground did not have much shade. We ended up taking a long hike around 4-5 pm when it started to cool food down," cautions Sarah F. about Mount Diablo.
Wind exposure: Several campgrounds experience strong Bay Area winds. "Every time we have stayed here it has been windy. Sites, though asphalt, require some leveling," notes Kim G. about Dumbarton Quarry Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most dog-friendly Union City area campgrounds require advance booking. "We camp here with our travel trailer at the start of each season, to check out all our systems. If you are visiting and want to go to San Francisco, I think this is one of the closest RV parks to the city," explains N V.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Half Moon Bay provides family-friendly beach camping. "The atmosphere here is wonderful. It's quiet and right on the beach. Some RV spaces with hookups back right up to the sand/vegetation. Bathrooms and showers on site," reports Michell C.
Playground facilities: Dumbarton Quarry Campground includes play areas for children. "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," advises N V.
Wildlife education: Children can observe diverse animal species. "We saw a mix of wildlife. Deer, hawks, wild turkeys. We saw an amazing sunset too," reports Sarah F. from Garin Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Anthony Chabot Regional Park provides full-service sites. "Not all sites were open during our visit likely due to the pandemic. As someone else mentioned, there is a $2 per day dog fee that caught us off guard," warns Lori T.
Site spacing: Space between RVs varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are grassy, some with trees, and pretty close together," explains N V. about Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park, providing a contrast to other options.
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds require additional equipment. "Our site #5. 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. for RV campers looking for level sites.
Traveler
