Planning a family camping trip can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you want to stay close to home.
Luckily, the San Francisco Bay Area is surrounded by a wealth of fantastic campgrounds that are perfect for families with young children.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked eight family-friendly campgrounds, all within a two-hour drive from our home in Alameda in the San Francisco Bay Area.
So, pack your tents and go-bag of camp activities, and get ready to discover the best local spots for your next outdoor family adventure!
Beautiful Brown Adventures' Favorite Local Campgrounds
Mount Madonna County Park, Yurt Camping
1.5 hours from SF Bay Area
Mount Madonna County Park is located in Watsonville, California and is one of our favorite campsites.
- Easy to reserve a campsite last minute
- Campsites are located in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains, surrounded by redwood trees
- A short hike to the ruins of an old building is a family favorite
- The park is a 20-minute drive to other Watsonville activities, like fruit picking and the beach
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today!
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground
1.5 hours from SF Bay Area
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located in the middle of the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the small town of Felton, California. It is popular and conveniently located close to kid-friendly hiking trails, good food, and fun activities, and it’s just 20 minutes from the beach destination of Santa Cruz.
- Campsites are located in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains, surrounded by redwood trees
- Our kids loved hiking to a lookout and seeing all of the trees, ocean, and horseback riders
- Downtown Felton offers an historic railroad, delicious ice cream, and an amazing playground
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today.
Haypress Campground - backpacking with kids
1 hour from SF Bay Area
Haypress Campground is the shortest backpacking hike with kids, ever. Take the 0.7-mile hike on a mostly-paved road with a wagon through Tennessee Valley to reach the semi-remote Haypress Campground with your kiddos.
- Reserve a campsite in advance
- Campsites are located in beautiful Tennessee Valley, part of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area
- It’s easy enough to drop off your gear and continue the hike to Tennessee Beach
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today.
Olema Campground, Point Reyes Station
1 hour from SF Bay Area
Olema Campground is our favorite last-minute campground to book for our family. Here’s why:
- There always seems to be at least one camping site available, even last minute.
- It’s located mere minutes away from Point Reyes Station and the Point Reyes National Seashore
- There is a playground on the campground. Enough said.
- Bonus: on a particularly active evening, we were able to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights right from our campground!
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today.
Doran Beach Campground, Bodega Bay
1 hour from SF Bay Area
Doran Beach Campground has great views and amazing beach access. Here’s why you should check it out:
- The location on the Bodega peninsula is hard to beat! Just prepare for wind
- The Bird Walk is within walking distance of the campground and very exciting
- Bodega Bay offers great restaurants and fun activities for the whole family
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today.
Casini Ranch Family Campground, Duncan Mills
1.5 hour from SF Bay Area
Casini Ranch Family Campground offers a ton of amenities for family campers. Here’s why we love it:
- The campground is located right along the Russian River. It even offers beach access within walking distance of the campsites
- There are activities everyday for kids, including ice cream socials and a jumping pillow
- It is located close to Guerneville and Santa Rosa
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today.
Spring Lake Regional Park Campground, Santa Rosa
1 hour from SF Bay Area
Spring Lake Regional Park Campground is located just 10 minutes from downtown Santa Rosa. It is a family-friendly urban oasis. Here’s why you should check it out:
- The campground has miles of beautiful trails located within walking distance of the campsites
- If you’re not into tent camping, they have cabins for rent
- There is a lake that has a swimming lagoon in the summer
- It is minutes from the family-fun activities of Santa Rosa
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, Lagunitas
1 hour from SF Bay Area
The campsites at Samuel P. Taylor State Park are located under the canopy of redwoods. It’s a dreamy, centrally located campground.
- The campground has miles of beautiful trails located within walking distance of the campsites
- Some trails and campground roads are bike and scooter-friendly. Our kids scooted all day!
- It is minutes from the family-fun activities of Point Reyes National Seashore.
Check out our blog post to plan your trip today.
Whether you’re seeking adventure in the redwoods, relaxing by a serene lake, or exploring coastal beauty, the eight campgrounds suggested here offer the ideal settings for making unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
What are your favorite kid-friendly campsites located a short drive from the San Francisco Bay Area? Did I miss any? Please share in the comments below.
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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