5 of the Best Bay Area Camping Spots Less than 75 Miles from San Francisco

San Francisco is world famous for its bustling city and cultural revolutions, but did you know you could be sleeping under the redwoods in a quiet Bay Area camping spot just a short drive from the Lost Campers San Francisco depot? Escape the hectic city for a 3 night (or more!) getaway to one or several of the state parks less than 75 miles away.

Our well equipped low profile campervans can have you enjoying incredible vistas, strolling along ancient coastal redwoods, or enjoying the beauty of Napa Valley in just a few hours or less. These campgrounds are also the perfect starting point for your grand California or west coast adventure in a Lost Campers campervan. Peak seasons for these campgrounds is May through September, so reservations are highly recommended and can be made at http://www.reserveamerica.com/ or by calling 1-800-444-7275.

Be sure to make your Lost Campers campervan reservations (1-888-567-8826) 3 – 4 months in advance during peak season too from May – September, especially on weekends and holidays.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park: Best Bay Area Camping Spots #1

Santa Cruz’s finest park and camping. Photo Courtesy Of http://www.parks.ca.gov/

Camp among the ancient coastal redwoods just 65 mile south of the Lost Campers San Francisco depot at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Established in 1902, Big Basin is California’s oldest state park, located in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and home to ancient coast redwoods up to 2,500 years old. The park also offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, lush waterfalls, and a fascinating natural and cultural history. A wide variety of environments and lots of animals and bird life makes this a wonderful park to explore. A Lost Campers camper van can get you there in comfort.

Samuel P Taylor State Park; Best Bay Area Camping Spots #2

Photo Courtesy Of http://www.parks.ca.gov/

A popular destination since the 1870’s, Samuel P Taylor Park is a historic Bay Area camping spot only 34 miles north (less than 1 hour) of the Lost Campers San Francisco Depot. The Park’s 2,882 acres offer shady strolls through the stately redwoods along Lagunitas Creek as well as exhilarating hikes to the top of Barnabe Peak, one of the best viewpoints in Marin County.

You can camp among redwoods and hike easy-to-moderate trails, from grassy hills to redwood forests Samuel P. Taylor park has a lot to explore. The park is right next door to Point Reyes National Seashore where you can find even more adventure. Both parks are also mountain bike heaven with over 100 miles of trails combined. Explore it all in a well equipped Lost Campers campervan.

Mount Diablo State Park: Best Bay Area Camping Spots #3

Mount Diablo State Park only 90 minutes from San Francisco. Photo Courtesy Of http://www.parks.ca.gov/

Mount Diablo which rises up to 3,849 feet is famous for its remarkable views. On a clear day you can see almost 200 miles from the summit observation deck. It is said that the view is surpassed only by that of 19,000-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. With binoculars, Yosemite’s Half Dome is even visible from Mt. Diablo when conditions are optimal. No other Bay Area camping spot will give you access to such incredible views.

One of the cool things about Mount Diablo camping is that RV’s are limited to 20’ because the roads climbing up are curvy. This means that you will not be sharing your campervan camping experience next to a mega RV.

You can explore rock city where you will find  Wind Caves, Elephant Rock, Sentinel Rock, Artist Point, Fossil Ridge and Native American grinding rocks. You can learn about the history of the mountain in the historic 1930’s stone visitor center. Located only 45 miles east of the Lost Campers San Francisco depot you could be exploring Mount Diablo in your Lost Campers campervan while enjoying the amazing views.

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: Best Bay Area Camping Spots #4

Photo Courtesy Of http://www.parks.ca.gov/

Located in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley wine country and just 72 miles north of the Lost Campers San Francisco Depot, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park has a lot to offer. Over 10 miles of hiking trails go through stands of coastal redwoods as well as forests of douglas-fir, tanoak, and madrone. You can stroll through Ritchey Canyon on the Redwood Trail to view the delicate ferns and listen to the water splashing down the rocky creek bed. Or you can hike up 1,170 feet to Coyote Peak, where you’ll find lookouts over Napa Valley and Mount Saint Helena.

The Native American Garden next to the visitors center displays some of the plants important to the first people of this area. On hot summer weekends grab a swimsuit and enjoy a dip in the park’s spring fed swimming pool. There are 42 camping places and even pay showers. A Lost Campers Rental van is the perfect way to explore the beauty of Wine Country; Napa and adjacent Sonoma County to the West.

Portola Redwoods State Park: Best Bay Area Camping Spots #5

Portola Redwoods Park, Photo Courtesy O
f http://www.parks.ca.gov/

At Portola Redwoods State Park, silence and tranquility rule in this amazing Bay Area camping spot. On its 2,800 acres you can explore 18 miles of trails, follow meandering creaks where moisture loving mammoth Coastal Redwoods stand tall among ferns and huckleberries, and swaying Douglas Firs intermingle with the redwoods. Waterfalls on the Fall and Pescadero creeks tumble down mossy banks over rocks and woody debris. This old growth haven is also home to the endangered Marbled Murrelet. Only 50 miles south from the Lost Campers San Francisco depot you can escape the bustle of the city and be under the redwoods relaxing in your Lost Campers campervan.                                                                                                                                                                                  
The park is open year round for hiking, picnicking, and other day uses. The campground is open April through October with a 55-site campground and a trail camp for backpackers. The visitor center is open on weekends year round and on weekdays as staffing permits.

How can I be sure to get into the best Bay Area camping spots?

California Camping Sunset Dreams. Photo courtesy of one of our many “Happy Campers”

It’s true.  From May – September, especially on weekends and holidays, these top San Francisco regional camping spots can be SOLD OUT. Because the weather in Northern California is usually mild to awesome year round, we recommend you go camping in these places October – April and /or from Sunday – Thursday night. You’ll avoid the crowds and often have these Bay area vacation spots, almost to yourself.

Also because Lost Campervans DO NOT have any advertising on the car and nobody knows you are camping, you can camp almost anywhere, not necessarily in a campground…  This gives you 100x more camping and roadtrip adventure options, even during the summer.

But if you are going on a California road trip from our San Francisco or Los Angles depot from May – September, be sure to make your Lost Campers campervan reservations (1-888-567-8826) 3 – 4 months in advance. We hate telling you that we are sold out too.