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Top 10 Campgrounds and RV Parks San Mateo, California
San Mateo is south of San Francisco in Silicon Valley. It was the home to several firsts, including California’s first millionaire. Today, San Mateo hosts a major natural history museum and wildlife center called CuriOdyssey. If you’re visiting Silicon Valley or San Francisco, there are a number of RV parks near the downtown area of San Mateo as well as near the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. You will find several RV rental options to take on your road trip. Here are the top 10 campgrounds and RV parks in or near San Mateo, CA.
Coyote Point Recreation Area
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Coyote Point Recreation Area’s RV park is run by the County of San Mateo Parks Department. Situated on a rock outcropping that overlooks the San Francisco Bay, this park caters to children with its on-site CuriOdyssey natural history museum and wildlife park. This campground near San Mateo, CA also has an extraordinary playground.
Why You’ll Love Coyote Point Recreation Area
This is one of the best San Mateo campsites to stay at with children; in addition to its science museum and playground, the site has recreational trails that pass through marshes where there are hundreds of shorebirds. It’s also located in one of the top places for windsurfing in the state.
What People Are Saying About Coyote Point Recreation Area
“A beautiful park with a science center, rifle range, tons of picnic areas, a beach, and a huge children’s play area. …you can watch planes flying into San Francisco Airport from the north bank.” – Jan, Google Review
Half Moon Bay-Francis Beach Campground
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Half Moon Bay-Francis Beach Campground is a California State Beach campground near San Mateo. It does not have water and sewer hookup, but there is a water filling station there. The park has four beaches with a coastal trail that runs 3 miles along the eastern boundary of the beaches.
Why You’ll Love Half Moon Bay-Francis Beach Campground
It’s possible to get an RV site that’s right on the beach. The state beach has biking and hiking trails as well as horseback riding trails and a marina. You can swim, fish, and view nature and wildlife. It’s also a great place for windsurfing and general surfing. Dogs on a 6-foot leash are allowed on the coastal trail but not horses.
What People Are Saying About Half Moon Bay-Francis Beach Campground
“This is a great campground right on the coastal trail that'll take you North and South. The sites are clean, well-maintained showers, and access to the beach. There are no dogs allowed on the beach. Each site has a table and a fire ring. It's hard to get into the front row overlooking the coast, but if you are tenacious and keep at it, it's so worth it. There is tent camping and bike camping. There are showers and restrooms.” – Sue Scott, Google Review
Pelican Point RV Park
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Located next to a Ritz Carlton and the Half Moon Bay Golf Course, this RV park near San Mateo offers one of the most beautiful settings in the country. It’s on the west side of Highway 1, and most sites have extraordinary views of the ocean. The beach is just a short walk away.
Why You’ll Love Pelican Point RV Park
Pelican Point RV Park is a 45-minute drive from San Francisco. It’s within a 5-mile radius of some of the top restaurants in the locality that serve farm-to-table cuisine. If you love to surf, this is a great spot; Half Moon Bay is famous for its waves.
What People Are Saying About Pelican Point RV Park
“We stayed one night on short notice and it was a great experience. The office staff was extremely friendly. The park was very clean, the rules were reasonable. Guests were also friendly. Would stay again for sure.” – Josh, Google Review
Pillar Point Harbor RV Park
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Located on the beach of Half Moon Bay, this is one of the San Mateo campgrounds that does not take reservations. If it is full when you arrive, you can get on a waiting list that usually moves every day. The park is near several protected redwood forests.
Why You’ll Love Pillar Point Harbor RV Park
Pillar Point Harbor RV Park is located on the Pacific Ocean beach. What it is lacking in amenities, it more than makes up for in location. Half Moon Bay is one of the top surfing destinations in the world, and it is a good place for whale watching during the season. You may also get free passes to some of the local activities on Saturdays.
What People Are Saying About Pillar Point Harbor RV Park
“Absolutely fantastic place. The hosts were awesome! Super friendly people. Reservations are not taken, however, if you arrive and there are no spaces you can have your name put on a waiting list. Sites open and close every day.” – Renaissanceman, Google Review
Trailer Villa RV Park
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Trailer Villa RV Park in the San Mateo, CA area is centrally located to Silicon Valley and San Francisco. It is situated on the shores of the San Francisco Bay and offers excellent RV amenities like free Wi-Fi and an on-site clubhouse. It provides easy freeway access, and there’s bus service at the entrance.
Why You’ll Love Trailer Villa RV Park
If you are looking for a place to rest for a few days on your way to Northern or Southern California, this is a good place to stop. You can see some of the local sites and have a comfortable stay.
What People Are Saying About Trailer Villa RV Park
“Amazing, clean, safe, quiet, picturesque property with great facilities. I was amazed. Smooth pavement, convenience store on-site that's open 15 hrs/day, 7 days/wk. If you can afford the space, you'll be glad you sprung for it.” – Alton Henson, Google Review
Treasure Island RV Park
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Treasure Island RV Park is a long-term RV park near San Mateo, CA that also offers daily rates. It’s located 9 miles north of San Mateo, and it’s easy to get to San Francisco from there.
Why You’ll Love Treasure Island RV Park
Treasure Island RV Park is located close to AT&T Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sausalito Art district, and downtown San Francisco. It’s also just 10 miles away from the technology companies in Silicon Valley. It’s also close to grocery stores.
What People Are Saying About Treasure Island RV Park
“Treasure Island is a great place to stay when you're visiting San Francisco! The location is great. It's a five-minute walk to the local BART station and it's only a 15-minute drive on the never crowded 280 into the city! The facilities and park are clean and well-cared for. There are a lot of long-term residents there and the park caters to those people a bit easier than the short-timers. The residents are very friendly and the staff has always treated us kind and fair. We wouldn't stay anywhere else!” – Shannon Medina, Google Review
San Francisco RV Resort
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San Francisco RV Resort has a beautiful location on the shore of the Pacific Ocean just over 10 miles north of San Mateo. The staff will help you arrange your sightseeing to make it easier to visit all the places you want to see. This resort is a perfect place for relaxing and watching the sunset.
Why You’ll Love San Francisco RV Resort
The location is the top feature of this San Mateo campground option. It provides gorgeous views of the ocean and access to the beach as well as easy access to San Francisco and Silicon Valley. It also has enough resort features for a pleasant time when you stay on-site at the campground.
What People Are Saying About San Francisco RV Resort
“Beautiful place. Excellent service, clean toilets, heated pool, game room. A bit pricey…but it is understandable since you have a beautiful sight to the Pacific. The only thing that I would definitely improve is the Wi-Fi connection.” – Martin, Google Review
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
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Just 17 miles north of San Mateo across the San Francisco Bay is Anthony Chabot Regional Park. If you want a nice place to stay and also some outdoor recreation, this is the place for you. It has 70 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, and the Skyline National Trail is great for backpacking.
Why You’ll Love Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Anthony Chabot Regional Park is run by the East Bay Regional Park district. It is a convenient home base for visiting San Francisco and Oakland. The best amenity is its access to outdoor recreation.
What People Are Saying About Anthony Chabot Regional Park
“There are endless things to do at Lake Chabot. You can stay near the main entrance and have a picnic, utilize the playground, rent a boat, or even grab a meal at the café. You can head down one of the many hiking/biking trails. There are numerous possibilities for exploring the lake.” – Branda, Google Review
Sequoia Trailer Park
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Sequoia Trailer Park is centrally located in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. It’s close to Silicon Valley, San Mateo, and the many entertainment options of Redwood City. It’s also within walking distance of shops and restaurants.
Why You’ll Love Sequoia Trailer Park
Sequoia Trailer Park is 20 miles south of San Francisco. It’s in a great location for visiting Stanford Hospital, Stanford University, and the many galleries and shopping centers in the locality. You can easily take a day trip from here to the Napa Valley Wine Country, which is about 50 miles away. It’s just 13 miles from Half Moon Bay.
What People Are Saying About Sequoia Trailer Park
“Stopped here for a night before heading for the Computer History Museum and NASA AMES Research Labs. The manager was very friendly and helpful. The Wi-Fi was brilliant…right next to the office. The place is nothing flash, but was great for us.” – Benbodhi, Google Review
Garden City RV Park
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Garden City RV Park is a long-term RV park near San Mateo, CA. It also welcomes daily and weekly guests and is centrally located in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Why You’ll Love Garden City RV Park
This is a no-frills option for RV camping near San Mateo; it has a convenient location near downtown San Jose. Garden City RV Park offers easy access to San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, but there is also plenty to see and do near the RV Park in San Jose. You can visit the Winchester Mystery House, and children will love spending a morning at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo.
What People Are Saying About Garden City RV Park
“Love this place. Everyone is so friendly and the place is nice and clean and quiet. The staff is so kind and so helpful. I will be back again and highly recommend this place.” – Lisa Pousini, Google Review
In Summary
San Mateo is an important city between Silicon Valley and San Francisco, and the San-Mateo area has several RV parks that offer the amenities campers need for comfortable living. Garden City RV Park, Sequoia Trailer Park, Treasure Island RV Park, and Trailer Villa RV Park are suitable for one-night stays when you’re on the go, but they’re also great options for long-term camping.
If you prefer to camp close to nature, Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities with miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and backpacking. Pillar Point Harbor RV Park, Half Moon Bay-Francis Beach Campground, and Pelican Point RV Park put you right on the Pacific Ocean with spectacular views within walking distance of the waves. There are hundreds of scenic drives throughout California to enjoy.
If you are looking for a fun-filled family vacation, Coyote Point Recreation Area is an excellent option. It has an interactive nature museum on-site as well as one of the best playgrounds in the state. Whatever your needs, one of the San Mateo, CA campgrounds on this list will fulfill them.
Explore other Campgrounds & RV Parks near San Mateo
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp in San Mateo, California?
How much does it cost to camp in San Mateo, California?
The top 10 campgrounds we selected all show daily, weekly and monthly rates for you. Pricing will vary.
How much does it cost to RV park in San Mateo, California?
Pricing will vary. The top 10 RV Parks we selected all display daily, weekly and monthly rates for you.
How long can you stay at an RV Park in San Mateo, California?
Staying at an RV Park for a long period of time will vary on the campground & RV Park you choose. View our post for more information.
Are there pet friendly RV Parks & Campgrounds in San Mateo, California?
Yes. The majority of campgrounds we selected in this blog allow pets.