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Have you ever thought about camping in San Francisco? It may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of the famous home to the Golden Gate Bridge, but it’s worth considering.
Millions of travelers leave their hearts in San Francisco each year, becoming enamored with its many treasures. Cable cars, the Crookedest Street in the World, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s no end to destinations that will capture your attention.
But RVers may experience difficulty exploring this picturesque city because of their size and lack of maneuverability. That is, until now.
We’ve found the hidden gems for RV owners to enjoy the enticements of San Francisco without the hassle of finding a place to park your home-on-wheels. Take a look at all of the San Francisco camping options listed below:
Rob Hill Campground
Located smack dab in the middle of San Francisco on the grounds of The Presidio, Rob Hill Campground is a tent-only location with great views and an amazing location.
The campground is open from April through October, with four group campsites available. Each site can hold up to 30 people, meaning the nightly cost of $125 can be divided among friends. At roughly $4 a head, this could be the best deal of the century, considering campers here wake up to sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge just outside their zippered door.
Restroom facilities and water are available, but there are no showers. Because of its prime location and a small number of campsites, there is a lottery each year to attain reservations.
Street Address: 1475 Central Magazine Road, San Francisco, California
Kirby Cove Campground
Offering five walk-in campsites that can handle up to 10 people each, Kirby Cove is nestled at the Marin Headlands’ mountain base near Sausalito, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from The Presidio.
Beach access from the campground makes this a popular overnight spot with fantastic views and mild temperatures. Each campsite has a picnic table, food locker, and fire pit with pit toilets available.
The campground is located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the cost per night is $34.
Street Address: 948 Fort Barry, Sausalito, California
Bicentennial Campground
Another prime San Francisco camping destination within Golden Gate National Recreation Area is the Bicentennial. With the Marin Headlands as its location, these campsites have terrific views of the bridge and bay, Point Bonita Lighthouse, and Rodeo Beach. There’s also excellent hiking.
The three tent sites can hold up to three people each, and pit toilets are available. The list of amenities is sparse, but there’s a picnic table, food locker, and a fire pit at each secluded campsite among the cypress trees. There are no other amenities.
Advance reservations are required, as this destination is quite desirable, and the cost per night is $20.
Street Address: Conzelman Road, Sausalito, California
Candlestick RV Park
Situated in the heart of the city, Candlestick RV Park offers various 5-star services to RVers. Guests will find 165 campsites with full hookups, clean restrooms, and showers. There’s a laundromat, a grocery store, and a game room all within 4 miles of downtown San Francisco.
Explore the state recreation area right next door, and enjoy having San Francisco Bay right out the front door! Sites are located on pavement, and prices range from $115 to $125 per night, dependent upon RV size.
Street Address: 650 Gilman Avenue, San Francisco, California
San Francisco RV Resort
If a beachfront property is on your wishlist, San Francisco RV Resort should be your next stop. Located just south of the city in Pacifica, California, the campground is part of the Thousand Trails offerings, with 150 full hookup sites overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
There are restrooms and shower houses, a swimming pool and clubhouse on-site, and guests can revel in watching sunsets from the campground’s setting on bluffs above the beach. Or they can walk the sands below, exploring tidal pools and collecting seashells.
Campsites are on pavement and can accommodate rigs of any size—costs per night range from $77 to $125.
Street Address: 700 Palmetto Avenue, Pacifica, California
Treasure Island RV Park
With easy access to downtown, you’ll find Treasure Island RV Park just south of the city. Customers can choose from the 182 full hookup sites on a paved lot a little tight, but the price is more reasonable than some alternative campgrounds.
Hot showers and clean restrooms, two laundromats, and a leisure area with picnic tables set this campsite apart. The RV park also has a bus service at its entrance and is a third of a mile from mass transit, so you can leave your camper here and let someone else do the driving when you explore San Francisco.
The nightly fee is $80, and long-term stays are available.
Street Address: 1700 El Camino Real, San Francisco, California
Petaluma KOA
The Petaluma KOA offers 303 beautiful treed campsites with pull-thru options and full hookups situated north of San Francisco.
Sites can handle virtually any size rig, and the campground also has cabins for those who would like to camp in a little less rustic fashion. Each site has a picnic table and firepit, and deluxe sites have their own patios with furniture and fire pit, along with VIP concierge septic pump service!
This KOA is just 30 minutes north of the city, but it’s even closer to Sonoma and Napa wine country, so there’s no shortage of activities. The campground has a store, clubhouse, and extensive activities for children and adults alike if you get tired of exploring vineyards, riding cable cars, or walking the nearby beaches.
Nightly costs range from $77 to $103. We recommend signing up for the KOA Rewards to quickly gain rewards toward future KOA stays.
Street Address: 20 Rainsville Road, Petaluma, California
Let the City Capture You
Now that you’ve seen the San Francisco camping opportunities available, there’s really no excuse to bypass this most unique city.
Reserve a spot for your RV, then get out and explore the sights and sounds of sea lions barking from Fisherman’s Wharf, fog horns in the bay, and cable car bells warning of their approach. You don’t want to miss a minute!
