Six Spectacular Spots for Bay Area Camping With Kids
Sunset State Beach
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Sunset State Beach is an idyllic location for anyone looking to camp by the coast. Campsites are on the top of a bluff overlooking the beach, which you can reach by walking down a hundred or so steps from the campground (or you can drive your car and beach gear down to the parking lot below). Pick a campsite that faces the waves, or on the opposite side you can get a view of strawberry fields as far as the eye can see. The majority of the sites at this location allow you to park your car right by your campsite—minimizing the amount of time you have to spend lugging your belongings from the car. Spots here fill up fast so you’ll want to reserve your preferred dates as soon as they are released (up to 7 months in advance).
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Sunset State Beach is an idyllic location for anyone looking to camp by the coast. Campsites are on the top of a bluff overlooking the beach, which you can reach by walking down a hundred or so steps from the campground (or you can drive your car and beach gear down to the parking lot below). Pick a campsite that faces the waves, or on the opposite side you can get a view of strawberry fields as far as the eye can see. The majority of the sites at this location allow you to park your car right by your campsite—minimizing the amount of time you have to spend lugging your belongings from the car. Spots here fill up fast so you’ll want to reserve your preferred dates as soon as they are released (up to 7 months in advance).
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Step into the redwoods and away from your hectic life at Big Basin State Park. The oldest state park in California, Big Basin has miles of hiking for seasoned hikers and the smaller explorers as well. Waterfalls, banana slugs and giant redwoods are guaranteed to delight all visitors. Over a hundred tent camping spots can be found at Big Basin, but many of them require a short walk from your car to reach them. Those looking for less of a DIY experience can reserve one of thetent cabins. Tent cabins come with two double platform beds that sleep four, and you can pitch your tent next to the cabin to accommodate four additional people.
Step into the redwoods and away from your hectic life at Big Basin State Park. The oldest state park in California, Big Basin has miles of hiking for seasoned hikers and the smaller explorers as well. Waterfalls, banana slugs and giant redwoods are guaranteed to delight all visitors. Over a hundred tent camping spots can be found at Big Basin, but many of them require a short walk from your car to reach them. Those looking for less of a DIY experience can reserve one of thetent cabins. Tent cabins come with two double platform beds that sleep four, and you can pitch your tent next to the cabin to accommodate four additional people.
21600 Big
Basin Way
Boulder Creek, Ca
831-338-8860
Reservations: reserveamerica.com
Tent cabin reservations: reserveamerica.com
Boulder Creek, Ca
831-338-8860
Reservations: reserveamerica.com
Tent cabin reservations: reserveamerica.com
Butano State Park
Tucked in the mountains just 15 minutes from downtown Pescadero is Butano State Park. This park features 21 drive-in and 18 walk-in campsites. If you come during the summer months you can find guided nature walks and weekend campfire programs. Kids will enjoy exploring the many trails, or have them bring their bikes for riding around the campgrounds. Drinking water is available at the campground but there are no showers at this location. A plus to being close to Pescadero is that you can take day trips to check out the Harley Goat Farm or pick some berries at nearby Swanton Berry Farm.
Tucked in the mountains just 15 minutes from downtown Pescadero is Butano State Park. This park features 21 drive-in and 18 walk-in campsites. If you come during the summer months you can find guided nature walks and weekend campfire programs. Kids will enjoy exploring the many trails, or have them bring their bikes for riding around the campgrounds. Drinking water is available at the campground but there are no showers at this location. A plus to being close to Pescadero is that you can take day trips to check out the Harley Goat Farm or pick some berries at nearby Swanton Berry Farm.
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Just 20 minutes outside of Oakland is the 5,000-plus-acre Anthony Chabot Regional Park. A year-round destination for campers in the East Bay, Chabot offers miles of hiking and biking trails along the shores of Lake Chabot. Car camping sites can get a little crowded but the walk-in campsites offer more room between you and the next campground over. As with any campground, choosing your campsite can be a big decision—with little kids it is good to be close to the bathrooms but not so close that the bathroom traffic (and smell!) invades your space. The marina at Lake Chabot offers boat rentals and fishing. It even has a café if you want to opt out of campfire cooking (don’t worry, your secret is safe with us).
Just 20 minutes outside of Oakland is the 5,000-plus-acre Anthony Chabot Regional Park. A year-round destination for campers in the East Bay, Chabot offers miles of hiking and biking trails along the shores of Lake Chabot. Car camping sites can get a little crowded but the walk-in campsites offer more room between you and the next campground over. As with any campground, choosing your campsite can be a big decision—with little kids it is good to be close to the bathrooms but not so close that the bathroom traffic (and smell!) invades your space. The marina at Lake Chabot offers boat rentals and fishing. It even has a café if you want to opt out of campfire cooking (don’t worry, your secret is safe with us).
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
Head up to wine country to check out some beautiful camping at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Here you can reserve one of 30 tent/RV campsites or check out one of the 10 yurts on-site. The yurts sleep up to 6 people and include a queen size bed with additional cots available—great for those who want to try camping but don’t want to have to deal with tent set up. Bothe-Napa offers some of the most picturesque hiking in the area and also a spring-fed swimming pool to cool off after a day on the trails.
Head up to wine country to check out some beautiful camping at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. Here you can reserve one of 30 tent/RV campsites or check out one of the 10 yurts on-site. The yurts sleep up to 6 people and include a queen size bed with additional cots available—great for those who want to try camping but don’t want to have to deal with tent set up. Bothe-Napa offers some of the most picturesque hiking in the area and also a spring-fed swimming pool to cool off after a day on the trails.
Kirby Cove
Just eight miles north of downtown San Francisco, Kirby Cove is a camping destination that is popular with city families who want to experience camping without the long drive into the mountains. Four campsites are available and campers can enjoy the nearby coarse sand beach and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fog is prevalent so make sure you bring clothes that you can layer during cooler times of the day. Campers must provide their own water and foghorns may disturb your sleep if you don’t bring earplugs.
Just eight miles north of downtown San Francisco, Kirby Cove is a camping destination that is popular with city families who want to experience camping without the long drive into the mountains. Four campsites are available and campers can enjoy the nearby coarse sand beach and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fog is prevalent so make sure you bring clothes that you can layer during cooler times of the day. Campers must provide their own water and foghorns may disturb your sleep if you don’t bring earplugs.
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Half moon bay state
beach also has great camping right on the beach.
Showers, toilets, and parking right next to your site.
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Mount Madonna, above
Gilroy. Has both redwood and Oak forest, showers,
lots of trails and lots of kids riding scooters all around the camping areas.
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Check out more camping tips and advice at LoveTheOutdoors.com!
Shelter
__Tent__Ground cloth/tarp
__Extra stakes
__Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes
__Axe or hammer
__Mat for tent entrance
__Dust pan/brush
Bedding
__Sleeping bag__Sheets/blankets
__Pillow
__Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
__Air pump
__Repair kit for air mattress
__Utility bags for storage
Cooking
__Large water jug & water bucket__Coolers/ice
__Thermos
__Stove with fuel/propane
__Matches/lighter
__Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
__Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc
__Campfire grill/BBQ grill
__Fire starters/newspaper
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
__Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls
__Silverware/plastic silverware
__Measuring cups
__Heavy-duty aluminum foil
__Paper towels
__Trash bags
__Dish soap
__Clothes pins
__Cooking oil/Pam spray
__Containers for food storage
__Potholders/oven mitts
__Pots and frying pans with lids
__Soap for outside of pots and pans
__Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
__Tongs
__Skewers/grill forks
__Can opener/bottle opener
__Folding table
__Dutch oven
__Pie irons
__Mugs/paper cups
__Mixing bowl
__Cutting board
__Ziplock bags
__Napkins
__Dish pan
__Dish rags/towels
__Scrub pad/brillo
__Seasonings/sugar/condiments
__Potato peeler
Clothes
__Shoes/boots__Jeans/pant/belt
__Shorts
__T-shirts
__Socks/extra socks
__Hat
__Bandana
__Sweatshirt/jacket
__Underwear
__Sleep clothes
__Rain gear
__Swim suit/towel
__Laundry bag
Personal
__Shower shoes/flip flops__Towels/washcloth
__Soap in plastic case/shampoo
__Tooth brush/tooth paste
__Deodorant
__Comb/brush
__Razor
__Feminine products
__Toilet paper
__Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
__Camping shower/shower pump
__Other personal items
__Personal medications – take extra
Miscellaneous
__Sunscreen/chapstick__Lantern with fuel/mantles
__Extra batteries/bulbs
__Compass
__Bug repellant/candles
__Whistle
__Water filters/purification/treatment
__Camera/battery/film/
__Books/magazines
__Candles
__Maps/directions
__Misc. tools
__Backpack/fanny pack
__Fishing gear/license/bait
__Radio
__Musical instruments/song books
__Camp chairs
__Sunglasses
__Hammock
__First aid kit
__Tissues
__Saw/axe
__Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
__Lantern pole or hanger
__Collapsible drying rack
__Popcorn
__Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
__Flashlight/batteries
__Pocket knife
__Plastic grocery bags
__Binoculars
__Rope/clothes line
__Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
__Bungi cords/straps
__Cards/games/toys
__Duct tape/electrical tape
__Notepad/pen
__Reservations info./confirmation
__Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
__Small shovel
__Safety pins
__Money/ID/credit card/quarters
__Bikes/helmets
__Travel alarm clock
__Work gloves
__Umbrella
__Hand wipes
__Drinks/snacks
__Small sewing kit
__Fire extinguisher
__Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
__Scissors
__Watch
Tell someone of your plans – give details of where you are going and when you expect to return, give directions and possible alternative roads that you may take, provide cell phone numbers, vehicle description and license plate numbers, hand-held radio channel and codes that you will use, and provide local authority phone numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.) for the county or area that you will be in.
Basic First Aid Kit
__Personal medications__Roll bandages
__Adhesive tape
__Antiseptic wipes
__Sterile gauze pads
__Cotton swabs
__Tweezers
__Safety pins
__Scissors
__Bee sting kit
__Sinus medications
__Tissues
__Bug repellant
__Sunscreen
__Notepad/pen
__Sterile compresses
__Splinting materials
__Personal information/contact person
__Feminine products
__Ipecac
__Razor blades
__Plastic bags
__Small bottle of water
__Blanket
__Other personal needs
__Small mirror
__Triangular bandages
__Misc. Band Aides/bandages
__Anti-acids (Tums, Rolaides)
__Antibiotic cream
__Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Tylenol/Naproxin
__Hydrogen Peroxide
__Ace bandages
__Sunburn lotion
__Burn ointment
__Snake bit kit
__Eye drops
__Poison ivy cream/cleansers
__Heat/cold packs
__Small flashlight
__Latex gloves
__Antibacterial soap
__Thermometer
__Coins for emergency phone calls
__Antibiotic soap
__Butterfly bandages
__Twine
__Mole skin for blisters
__Road flares
__First aid manual
__Nail clippers
Additional First Aid Tips
- Take a First Aid class and a CPR class – keep current on this information
- Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container
- Keep the contents organized
- Know how to use everything in your first aid kit
- Inspect content often, re-supply as needed
- Keep readily available at all times
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