Bay Area camping recs? Favorite sites, tips for family camping, best gear, etc. etc.!

Question

Clara · Answer

Hipcamping in Bolinas: I love going to Bolinas! Stayed here once and the host and site are so lovely, but for a while it was a minimum-2-night-stay deal. Now it looks like it’s been opened to single-night stays, which is awesome. Really relaxing escape from the city/burbs.

Maribeth · Answer

Marin Headlands: Bicentennial Campground: Incredible views to go to sleep to and wake up to!!!! Easy to get to, easy to park, easy to make a reservation. Other campsites in the headlands get snatched suuuuper quickly. And! Nothing particularly dangerous here, either, besides the cliffs and the surf! You can hike from the campground to every other stunning place in the headlands.

Wake up to the sounds of California Quail. Spend a morning watching the sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge. Spend an afternoon playing on the rocks at Kirby Cove. Spend an evening watching the sunset from Black Sands beach. Hike back to camp with headlamps. Drive into Sausalito for brunch on your way out.

Julia · Answer

Portola Redwoods State Park: They have a “crumb clean” policy so no big scary raccoons! Great layout, every site sits in the middle of big redwoods. I like the ones next to the creek.

Amy · Answer

Toast at the campsite!: This seemed very silly to purchase, but it actually works! Toast your bagels, English muffins, bread, etc. It was a big hit on our preschool camping trip.