Top 10 RV Parks Near San Francisco, CA Area

Top 5 reasons why it is a fun place to visit:

1. Visit Alcatraz
2. Take a picture by the Golden Gate Bridge
3. Catch a game at the Oracle Park
4. Visit the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
5. Take a stroll through the Golden State Park

List of top ten RV Parks in the San Francisco, CA area:

(Disclaimer: information is a compilation of researched info as published online and does not necessarily reflect the experience or opinion of the author)

The RV parks have been ranked and are listed from “Most Recommended” to “Least Recommended” based on reviews, feedback, amenities, and preference. Cost was not the primary ranking driver. Please note that weekend RV families with children might have different needs than full-time RV “snowbirds”.

1. Half Moon Bay State Beach

According to the Website, “[f]our miles of broad, sandy beaches stretch out to welcome visitors to Half Moon Bay. This picturesque setting is ideal for sunbathing, fishing, and picnicking. Half Moon Bay State Beach offers four different beach day-use parking lots to choose from: Francis, Venice, Dunes, and Roosevelt, as well as a campground that provides accommodations for those who wish to visit longer.” (Source: Half Moon Bay SB (ca.gov))

What makes this park unique?

This park is located on the beach and has access to water, as well as several trails and nature walks. The State Park also offers educational programs about the flora and fauna in the area.

Max trailer length is 40 feet.

2. Samuel P Taylor State Park

Surrounded by oaks, redwoods and bay laurel, the camp sites are a wonderful relaxing nature oasis. There are hiking trails and the park boasts 2,882 acres of flora and fauna.

What makes this park unique?

According to their Website, “[y]ou can camp among redwoods, bike along the creek, explore easy-to-moderate hiking trails, watch salmon spawn, relax in the shady picnic area, and learn the story of its namesake pioneer. When you’ve finished all that, more adventures await just next door at Point Reyes National Seashore. Samuel P. Taylor State Park is popular! The park is experiencing extremely high visitation and our Azalea Day Use lot often fills up by mid-morning on weekends. We recommend carpooling while visiting, or visiting the park on weekdays, or on weekends, early or late in the day to minimize wait times. Have an alternate plan and destination in mind if parking is full at your time of arrival. When our Azalea Day Use lot is full, vehicles are slowly metered as other vehicles depart.” (Source: Samuel P. Taylor SP (ca.gov))

3. Pillar Point Harbor RV Park

Located only 4 miles from Half Moon Bay and about 30 minutes’ drive to the center of San Francisco, this park is in a prime location to explore the area. One can also get fresh fish at the nearby Pillar Point Harbor.

What makes this park unique?

There is a 6-mile walk/bike path that visitors can enjoy exploring the area. There are also ocean view seats in the Ocean View Garden for people to hang out and visit.

Max stay is 28 consecutive days. Must leave premises for 24 hrs. before returning again.

4. Coyote Point Recreation Area

Located on 149 acres, including 538 underwater acres, this park has a plethora of outdoor activities for everyone.

Note: the campground is currently closed due to East Promenade renovations until July 2022.

Coyote Point Recreation Area

What makes this park unique?

According to their Website, “Coyote Point is a regional recreation area that provides a wide variety of opportunities: picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, bicycling, jogging, fishing, boating, and sailing. Kids will love the giant, castle-and-dragon-themed Magic Mountain Playground and CuriOdyssey where they can get up-close to wild animals and enjoy hands-on science exhibits. Stroll along the beach promenade, visit the marina and its breakwater, or explore the saltwater marsh. See shorebirds, colorful boats, windsurfers, and planes from the San Francisco International Airport.” (Source: Coyote Point Recreation Area | Parks Department (smcgov.org))

5. Golden Gate Trailer Park

This park prides itself being a community-minded while located in a prime location in Silicon Valley.

What makes this park unique?

According to their Website, this park is nestled in the small, unincorporated community of Greenbrae on 1.78 acres between the Corte Madera Ecological Preserve and the Cost Plus Shopping Center and provides affordable housing with convenient access to all the comforts of home. “Its proximity to San Francisco Bay, Corte Madera Creek and Preserve, Muir Woods, and Mt. Tamalpais and the nearby cities of Larkspur, San Rafael, Sausalito, and San Francisco provide its residents with unlimited shopping, educational, and cultural opportunities of urban centers and the opportunity to hike, cycle, and jog while enjoying the paradise of nature associated with open spaces.” (Source: Golden Gate Trailer Park)

6. Marin RV Park

Located on “the sunny side of the Golden Gate Bridge,” this park is in a prime location for visiting the San Francisco area, as it’s the closest RV park to the city, with about 10 miles’ drive to the Golden Gate Bridge.

What makes this park unique?

Explore the Muir Woods, take the Napa Wine Train or explore San Francisco during a day trip…this park is a great full-hookup base to park your RV and explore the area! There is something to do for everyone and for all ages.

7. Pelican Point RV Park

Located only a 5-minute walk on the trail from the beach, this park’s location is all one would want in a RV park for those who love the beach life! With full hookups, one doesn’t have to compromise comfort for location, and if you’re craving the city life, just park your RV and head to San Francisco!

What makes this park unique?

This park has back-in sites only, but it’s an incredible park with many amenities to enjoy an extended stay and to explore the area. Max RV length is 40 ft.

8. China Camp State Park

This park has some very interesting history. According to their Website, “[t]he park is nestled along the shore of the San Pablo Bay. The road through the park offers beautiful views of the waterfront. Features include an extensive intertidal salt marsh, meadow, and oak habitats. There is a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, coyote, fox, bats, and numerous birds. The California clapper rail and the salt marsh harvest mouse are endangered species that live in the marsh areas of the park. A Chinese shrimp-fishing village thrived on this site in the 1880s. Nearly 500 people, originally from Canton, China, lived in the village. In its heyday, there were three general stores, a marine supply store and a barber shop. Fishermen by trade in their native country, they gravitated to the work they knew best. Over 90% of the shrimp they netted were dried and shipped to China or Chinese communities throughout the US. The museum at China Camp Village helps tell the story of these hardy shrimp fishermen.” (Source: China Camp SP)

What makes this park unique?

There are many hiking and biking trails, as well as a China fishing lake in the area for visitors to enjoy. There is also a Chinese fishing museum on site to explore and to learn about this park’s fascinating history.

9. San Francisco RV Resort

This park is a Thousand Trails property for members of the Thousand Trails subscription. One can visit as a non-member for a limited number of days to test the park out to see if they’d like to join the Thousand Trails network of RV parks across the US.

What makes this park unique?

Just 15 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz and many other Bay Area attractions, the location of this park is perfect! The park has paved and level sites that accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long. As a Thousand Trails Park, this park has all the luxury amenities of a good-sized RV park.

10. Candlestick RV Park

This park is located just two miles from the AT&T Stadium and is close to everything downtown San Francisco.

Candlestick RV Park

What makes this park unique?

Once a great park in a good neighborhood, this park really went downhill fast with the neighborhood: many broken down vehicles, trash, dirty, unsafe and in dire need of maintenance-sadly, this park should be a last resort when visiting San Francisco with an RV.

TIPS TO GET TO SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is located on a peninsula that can be accessed via Highway 101/US-1 or via I-580 or I-880. Since the city itself can be accessed mainly via bridges, large RVs should drive with caution due to accessibility challenges of the city (narrow roads, sharp turns, and hilly paved terrain). Many of the RV parks are located on the outskirts of the city, with short commute to San Francisco itself.

There are many other cities and areas of interest within close driving distance, such as San Jose, Napa, Stockton, or Sonoma. Mt. Diablo is also a point of interest for nature enthusiasts.