Angel Island State Park, California

One of the best urban playgrounds out there, Angel Island State Park is hidden gem just a quick jaunt from San Francisco. Hop on a ferry from Pier 41 or Tiburon for camping, miles of hiking trails, and some of the best views in the Bay Area. Angel Island is a spectacular grass and woodland covered island—in fact, it’s the largest island in the San Francisco Bay. It offers a plethora of expansive views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the surrounding Bay Area. Imagine unzipping your tent to views of sparkling city lights and golden sunrise hues. The island features great hiking and biking trails as well as many other interesting recreational opportunities, including Segway tours. Angel Island State Park truly is a Bay Area experience not to be missed.

Choose from 16 campsites divided into four distinct camping areas (East Bay, Ridge, Sunrise, and Kayak Camp), each with pit toilets and water nearby. From the Ridge sites, enjoy picturesque views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, but expect a bit of wind. Sites in the East Bay section are more protected. If you’re traveling with a larger group, the Sunrise sites may be a good fit, as the sites can be reserved individually or combined for groups up to 24 people. Kayak Camp is also group friendly, accommodating groups up to 20. Angel Island camping typically doesn’t offer much in the way of privacy, but with only 16 sites on the island, it’s likely that you won’t be battling crowds. Be sure to pack carefully for Angel Island camping trips—the walk to your campsite can be up to two miles!