Known for the infamous Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Giants, and the Fisherman’s Wharf, the big city life is often not considered the most family-centred place to travel to. However, this is a common misconception, and the city actually has more family-friendly spots than you’d think, especially if you’re willing to venture outside of the urban areas a bit. Camping is an amazing way to spend time with your family and get a break from city life.
In this article, we’ll sift through a few of the best family camping spots in and around Frisco to give you some places to enjoy as a family!
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Pinnacles Campground
Out of our list, the Pinnacles campground in Pinnacles National Park is the furthest campground to choose from, being about an hour and a half away from San Francisco. But don’t let the driving deter you!
This beautiful campground and RV spot is perfectly situated at the base of the Pinnacle Mountains, offering you a large selection of sites to use (149), and a lovely assortment of fire pits, picnic tables, and even electricity so you don’t have to completely go off-the-grid.
In addition to a fantastic site, you’re also allowed to take your furry friend with you on this trip, ensuring that no family member is left behind. The site itself isn’t the main attraction. You can also go on an adventurous hike with your family, which is filled with waterfalls and scenic views! And, if there are any challenge-driven individuals in your family, they can attempt to summit one of the pinnacles if they have the guts to do so!
In regards to amenities, there’s running water, electrical hookups, showers, dump stations, a swimming pool, and places to have a barbeque.
San Francisco RV resort
Prefer the more luxurious experience of camping with an RV? Then you might want to check out the San Francisco RV resort situated roughly 25 km out of the City. The best part about the SF RV resort is that it gives you the outer city experience while still allowing you to have the luxury of being close to some famous sites like Half Moon Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.
You’ll find this lovely resort sitting on top of the cliffs facing the Pacific Ocean, and trust us when we say you’re in for a treat with the views! The SF RV resort has 162 paved sites that are completely level. In regards to amenities, you’ll have fully powered sites with an electrical hook up at each one (except for the oceanfront sites), a place to bathe, shower, and do laundry, and a lovely picnic area with barbeque areas set up nearby. In addition to these, the resort also has a hot tub, outdoor pool, playground for the kids, and clubhouse.
The Francis Beach Campground
For another beach campground, Francis Beach is situated in Half Moon Bay, roughly 46 km from San Francisco. If you’re looking for a fantastic beach getaway for your family then this campground comes second to none. With 52 sites right on the shore, you can step out of your tent and dart straight for the ocean!
If you fancy a walk, you can explore the famous beaches of Half Moon Bay, including Francis Beach, Venice Beach, Dunes Beach, and Roosevelt Beach. However, we’d suggest that you only consider swimming in these areas if you’re a strong, confident swimmer. At the Francis Beach campground, you’ll have access to restrooms, potable water, showers, 40 sites with electrical outputs, RV dump stations, Fire pits, and a picnic area.
Juniper Campground
Moving a bit further out, the Juniper Campground situated in the Mount Diablo State Park is another “must try” campsite if you enjoy adventuring as a family. Juniper is about 62 km out of San Francisco and is the largest campground on our list (in size). This campground is great for those who enjoy trail running, breathtaking views, hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.
The Juniper Campground has 50 sites that overlook the state park and the bay area. This site is also pet friendly but requires you to have your dogs on a leash at all times, and that leash needs to be at least 6 feet in length. At the Juniper campgrounds, you’ll have access to flushable toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and a spot to barbeque.
Final Thoughts
Camping, whether in a tent or RV, is a great way to escape city life! Above are some amazing places that you and your family can travel to for a weekend or even a day’s getaway. Plus, these are only a few of the great spots for you to try! With a little bit of research, you can learn more about getting cheap rental rates in San Francisco, which makes finding a place to stay in and around the city a pleasure, too!
