Just north of San Francisco's Golden Gate is Mount Tamalpais, 6,300 acres of redwood groves and oak woodlands with a spectacular view from the 2,571-foot peak. On a clear day, visitors can see the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County Hills, San Francisco and the Bay, hills and cities of the East Bay, and Mount Diablo. On rare occasions, the Sierra Nevada's snow-covered mountains can be seen 150 miles away. Coastal Miwok Indians lived in the area for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. In 1770, two explorers named the mountain La Sierra de Nuestro Padre de San Francisco, which was later changed to the Miwok word Tamalpais. With the Gold Rush of 1849, San Francisco grew; and more people began to use Mount Tamalpais for recreation. Trails were developed, and a wagon road was built. Later, a railway was completed and became known as the Crookedest Railroad in the World It was abandoned in 1930 after a wildfire damaged the line.
- Distance: 10.35 Miles.
- Reservation Availibility: Yes
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Camping Types:
Group Primitive Campsite
Group Tent Primitive Campsite
Equestrian Group Tent Campsite
Hike In Primitive Campsite
Cabin (5 People)
- Make your reservation at ReserveCalifornia.com
Once the site of a thriving fishing village on San Pablo Bay, China Camp State Park is not only the historic remains of the village, but also 1,640 acres of natural watershed along the shores of San Francisco Bay. The park features extensive inter-tidal, salt marsh, meadow and oak habitats that are home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels and numerous birds. Visitors not only enjoy wildlife-watching, but also hiking, swimming, boating and windsurfing. The park has some of the best weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, with an average of more than 200 fog-free days per year.
- Distance: 14.60 Miles.
- Reservation Availibility: Yes
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Camping Types:
Group Day Use
Campsite
Group Primitive Campsite
- Make your reservation at ReserveCalifornia.com
In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The island is also alive with history. Three thousand years ago the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post. From 1910 to 1940, the island processed thousands of immigrants. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base. Today, there are two active Coast Guard stations - at Point Blunt and Point Stuart - on the island. Angel Island became a State Park in 1958.
- Distance: 18.04 Miles.
- Reservation Availibility: Yes
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Camping Types:
Group Dailyuse (B)
Group Dailyuse (A)
Group Dailyuse (C)
Hike in Campsite
Group Tent Campsite
Campsite
Group Day Use
- Make your reservation at ReserveCalifornia.com
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is where the headwaters of the Sonoma Creek run through gorge and canyon, across the meadow floor beneath scenic rock outcroppings.
With 2,700 acres, the park has 25 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and bicycle use.
There is also a self-guided nature trail along Sonoma Creek that starts near the campground.
Deer, bobcats and gray foxes can be seen in the park. From the 2,729-foot summit of Bald Mountain on a clear day visitors can see views of the Sierra Nevada and the golden gate bridge.
The park also houses the Robert Ferguson Observatory http://rfo.org that can be rented, along with the Group Campground, for private parties.
A Group Picnic area and an Amphitheater are available for private use with a reservation.
- Distance: 31.20 Miles.
- Reservation Availibility: Yes
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Camping Types:
Campsite
Group Day Use
Premium Campsite
- Make your reservation at ReserveCalifornia.com
Sonoma State Beach features coastland with beaches, reefs, coves, tidepools, headlands, and natural arches. With more than ten miles of shore, 5,000 acres, this state beach is one of the largest in the state. The park stretches from Bodega Head to the Russian River. There is a five-mile trail system in the dunes. The beach is home to one of California's largest seal rookeries. In the winter, Bodega Head is one of the finest whale-watching sites on the North Coast. The park is also home to many kinds of seabirds. The ocean bay and river frontage offers perch, salmon, steelhead and smelt fishing.
- Distance: 35.13 Miles.
- Reservation Availibility: Yes
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Camping Types:
Premium Campsite
Campsite
- Make your reservation at ReserveCalifornia.com
In the heart of Napa Valley, Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is a 1900 acre park offering year-round camping, picnicking, hiking and swimming (weekends in the summer). Visitors can follow hiking trails along Ritchie Creek, walk among Redwood tree groves, or climb to a beautiful vantage point on Coyote Peak. A 30-minute hike along the History Trail leads to nearby Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, open weekends for tours.
- Distance: 38.53 Miles.
- Reservation Availibility: Yes
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Camping Types:
Group Tent Campsite
Yurt (6 ppl)
Yurt (4 ppl)
Tent Campsite
Campsite
Cabin (2 People)
Cabin (4 People)
- Make your reservation at ReserveCalifornia.com
On a clear day, from the summit of Mount Diablo State Park visitors can see 35 of California's 58 counties. 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. The park features exce hiking and rock climbing opportunities. The mountain was formed when a mass of underlying rock was gradually forced up through the earth's surface so, unlike other mountains, older and older rocks are encountered as you climb the mountain. The mountain was regarded as sacred to Native Americans.
- Distance: 45.36 Miles.
- Reservation Availibility: Yes
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Camping Types:
Campsite
Equestrian Group Primitive Campsite
Group Primitive Campsite
Group Tent Primitive Campsite
- Make your reservation at ReserveCalifornia.com
