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Where to Camp on the San Francisco Peninsula and in
the South Bay Area
Rev. May 2003
Note: HTML and
PDF versions for printing are available.
Introduction
Most public parks in the four-county Trail Center
service area were queried to compile this list, which
includes campgrounds with both drive-in and walk-in sites,
places for groups to camp, backpacker trail camps, and
horse camps. A few private campgrounds with sites for tent
camping are included. Private RV-only parks are not
included.
Camp areas accessible to the
physically limited or to wheelchairs are few in number.
Some are located in the drive-in camp areas, others in
group areas, and still others are assigned special sites.
The parks that have such sites are shown in the summary.
Check with the individual parks for specific
information.
Reservations information is
given for each camp area. Parks vary in their reservations
requirements. The state parks use the State Parks Reservations system: call
1-800-444-PARK (7275) or make reservations online through
Reserve America. You may want to
check with park or district headquarters for information
before calling State Parks
Reservations.
Fees vary and are not given
here; however, fee schedules are the same for all state
parks. They are usually higher for horse camps and at
private campgrounds, which provide a more resort-like
atmosphere.
Information on the location
of trails accessible by wheelchairs and for horseback
riding, bicycling, and dog walking is available from the
Trail Center. Published guides for many of the parks and
trails can be obtained at area bookstores and outdoor
retailers. USGS topographical 7.5' map quads can be found
in most outdoor supply stores or obtained at the US
Geological Survey offices on Middlefield Road in Menlo
Park.
The Trail Center has
published the Peninsula Parklands
map that shows the location of all parks, open space
preserves, and public access lands in our four-county
service area. This map is for sale through the
Wilderness Press and through many retail stores
throughout the area. The Trail Center has also published
two detailed trail maps for the central Santa Cruz
Mountains that cover some of the campgrounds listed: Trail Map of the Southern
Peninsula and Trail
Map of the Central Peninsula. For the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail and surrounding
parklands, including Castle Rock, Butano and Big Basin
State Parks, Sempervirens Fund has published a two
map set: Trail Map of the Santa Cruz
Mountains.
See the Summary Table for
an overview of camping opportunities by county.
Public and Private Campgrounds with Individual
Sites
Drive-in campsites are those where vehicles may be parked
at the campsite. Walk-in sites require leaving vehicles in
a parking lot and walking to a campsite nearby (usually
less than 1/4 mile). Campsites usually accommodate eight or
fewer people with one or two vehicles.
Information for both public
parks and private campgrounds is provided. Many private
RV-trailer parks exist. Only those that also provide for
tent camping are listed here.
Santa Mateo
County |
Santa Clara County | Santa Cruz
County
Camping Areas for Groups
Specific car camping sites are available for group camping
in many parks. Groups also may use the backpacker trail
camps. Limitations on group size depend on the number of
sites available at each camp and the allowable number of
people per site. Some city parks may maintain group areas
not listed here.
Santa Mateo
County |
Santa Clara County | Santa Cruz
County
Backcountry Trail Camps
In general, trail camps near approved mountain bicycling
trails serve cyclists as well as backpackers. The camps
usually have pit toilets. A few have tables. Ground fires
often are not allowed, especially in fire season. Backpack
stoves are OK. Water supplies are tenuous. Wilderness area
camping in Coe Park is without facilities -- water is from
springs, streams, and lakes. Carry water and purification
supplies (for boiling, filtering, or treating
chemically).
Reservations are required
for all camps except those at Henry Coe Hikers and
bicyclists usually are welcome at regular car campgrounds,
especially those with walk-in sites.
Santa Mateo
County |
Santa Clara County | Santa Cruz
County
Public Parks with Horse Camps
Alas, only four public parks in the Trail Center service
area offer camping opportunities with horses. Facilities
range from full service to primitive to wilderness. Water
is available at all camps; however, feed must be brought
in. Some private stables, parks, and/or property owners may
allow in-transit horse cam ping or provide other services.
Check with local sources and equestrian groups for further
information.
All Areas
Where to Camp on the San Francisco Peninsula and in
the South Bay Area
- Introduction
- Summary
Table
-
Public and Private Campgrounds
- Santa Mateo |
Santa Clara
| Santa
Cruz
-
Camping Areas for Groups
- Santa Mateo |
Santa Clara
| Santa
Cruz
-
Backcountry Trail Camps
- Santa Mateo |
Santa Clara
| Santa
Cruz
- Public
Parks with Horse Camps
- All Areas
Copyright ©
Trail Center. All rights reserved.
Please contact the Web Manager
for corrections or comments.
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