Woodacre camping sites range from sea level locations at coastal beaches to forested campgrounds situated 700+ feet above sea level in the coastal hills. Temperatures vary significantly with inland areas reaching 80°F during summer days while dropping to the 40s at night, and coastal sites often 10-15 degrees cooler year-round. Most campsites experience morning fog from May through August that typically burns off by midday.
What to do
Hike to Alamere Falls: From Wildcat Campground, take a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 mile) round-trip walk to the waterfall. "The hike in is pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night. It's pretty windy, so be prepared. The site was very close to Alamere Falls, which was great," shares one visitor.
Mountain biking trails: The area has extensive trail networks suitable for various skill levels. "We did a morning hike and the trails were absolutely stunning. It was quite a ways to be able to see the ocean, so we didn't actually complete the hike but got very close," notes a camper at Glen Campground.
Birdwatching at dawn: Early morning provides optimal wildlife viewing. "We saw lots of wildlife and the stargazing was first-rate, even though you could see the distant glow of civilization in the night sky," reports a Glen Campground visitor. Bring binoculars for spotting raptors and water fowl.
Explore historic sites: Visit Battery Kirby near Kirby Cove Campground. "Battery Kirby is right there at the campground and interesting to explore. Active from 1898 to 1934 the battery is quite interesting to walk through, despite the vandals that have clearly spent a lot of time there," according to a reviewer.
What campers like
Secluded beach access: Steep Ravine Campground offers unique coastal experiences. "The 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," notes one camper.
Star-gazing opportunities: Clear nights provide excellent viewing conditions. "We saw lots of wildlife and the stargazing was first-rate, even though you could see the distant glow of civilization in the night sky," mentions a Glen Camp visitor.
Multiple terrain types: "From Glen Camp, it's an easy hike down to the spectacular Coast Trail," explains a camper. The diversity allows visitors to experience different ecosystems within short distances.
Quieter weekday visits: Campgrounds are significantly less crowded Monday through Thursday. "On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot," reports a visitor to Pantoll Campground.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: "Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups). Sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot," explains a Pantoll Campground reviewer.
Aggressive wildlife: Multiple campgrounds report persistent raccoons. "The raccoons are vicious and fearless. Store all food and ANYTHING with a scent in the bear box. If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch," warns a Kirby Cove camper.
Weather variations: "The night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers," advises a Samuel P. Taylor camper. Temperature swings of 30°F between day and night are common.
Gate code requirements: Some campgrounds require access codes. "You'll get a gate code when you make a reservation so you can access the road," notes a visitor to Kirby Cove.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with kid amenities: San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offers extensive facilities. "Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too," reports a camper.
Site selection for noise reduction: "Sites 10 and 11" at Sky Camp are recommended by experienced visitors for their position away from common areas. These sites typically have less foot traffic and noise.
Plan for site location logistics: "Sites are on a grassy area and not well defined. Not a lot of shade for tent sites," explains an Olema Campground visitor. Families should arrive early to secure spots with natural shade.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: "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," shares a camper at Samuel P. Taylor, highlighting the importance of bringing extra water and sanitation supplies.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: "Sites are on the small side as well. It's a special forest though and worth a visit," notes a Samuel P. Taylor camper. RVers should call ahead to confirm exact site dimensions before booking.
Hook-up variations: "We had full hook-ups @ our site. Tested the water - water tested as acceptable tap water after running it through an external filter. 21 elements checked, all within range. Dissolved solids were 251...pretty high," reports a San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA visitor.
Limited maneuverability in some areas: "After looping around to approach the site, I found the streets all very tight for RV maneuvering. The place was packed. Had a pull through FHU site. Pretty narrow," cautions a KOA visitor.
Take advantage of urban proximity: "This RV Park gets 5 stars purely for its location. Drive in, park and then walk to all the sights you want to see in San Francisco. A short 10 minute walk from the RV park is the ferry that will drop you off downtown," explains a visitor describing one of the best places to camp near Woodacre, California for urban access.
