Trying to find a place to camp in the Bay Area on a sunny weekend can be exasperating enough to make you almost resent California’s outdoorsy nature — or at least, its outdoorsy residents who all want the same thing you do. Trawl the National Parks Service’s camping reservation system, recreation.gov , or the State Parks’ reservecalifornia.
com for campsites of any kind — tent, trailer, RV or cabin — in Point Reyes, Big Sur and other popular spots, and it’s not uncommon to see every weekend sold-out months ahead. It’s reached such a point that in December, California State Parks announced it was dropping traditional reservations for Mt. Tamalpais’ popular Steep Ravine cabins and piloting a lottery system instead.
But don’t give up on planning a great summer outing yet. The truth is, there are a ton of other amazing overnight opportunities around the Bay Area, from glamping in a Calistoga yurt in Wine Country to escapist backpacking on Angel Island. We also scouted out what may be the only dog-friendly backpacking opportunity in the region without having to schlep to a national forest (psst, it’s in Antioch).
Here are six fantastic Bay Area camping options to explore that include state, county, city and regional parks and some private campground options, too. Some boast wilderness access, while others enjoy proximity to more urbane regional draws, like wine tasting — and they’re all within an hour or two of home. Consider it a sampling for adventures o.
