The best waterside campgrounds in California Wine Country

While there are actually about a dozen wine tasting destinations throughout the state, Napa and Sonoma are arguably the most well-known regions of California Wine Country. Head to the tasting rooms of Healdsburg, Sonoma, or St. Helena—wine country towns where you’ll find provisions to support any Hipcamp adventure—or venture along the Silverado Trail, set amid rolling vineyards in the Napa Valley. Between tastings, nestle among the Bodega Dunes or soak up the vistas from Sugarloaf Ridge. Summer weekends are the most popular time for visitors, but it’s worth seeing the grapevines awash in vivid colors during autumn months.

94% (5.6K)

Top-rated campgrounds near California Wine Country

1. Thanktuary Retreat

96%

(115)

11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Gualala, CA

Learn more about this land: The winds whisper through the redwood trees and provide respite from the hot sun. Here on the ridge above Gualala, lies nestled a lovely and serene campground called Thanktuary Retreat. Skunks, jackrabbits, deer, foxes and very rarely a mountain lion or bear can be found on our 5 acres of forested land. There is a fishpond with water lilies, mini golf course and pétanque court (both with equipment in a useful shed close by), a horse shoe ring and beautiful, natural secluded spots in the redwoods perfect for meditation and vision questing. Huckleberry bushes and ferns grow abundantly. The place lends itself to self-reflection and introspection. There is space for 1 RV with a patio table and chairs and some sun loungers. There are also 2 tent sites available on the property, located in one large area, further away from the RV sites. Barely 7 minutes away is downtown Gualala, with amenities such as 2 supermarkets, pharmacy, bakery, restaurants and more. There is a beautiful holistic gift store, The Sea Trader, Four Eyed Frog Bookstore, and some lovely art galleries in town.   Kayaking is available at the Gualala River. Hiking at Gualala Regional Park, the Bluff Trail, The Sea Ranch public access beaches, Stump Beach, Salt Point Park with a petrified forest, Bowling Ball Beach with its amazing natural formations (can only be seen fully at low tide of more than -0.2m), Manchester State Beach, Elk Beach, and more. Swimming at the Navarro River, and various bays. It is a place of incredible scenic beauty all along CA 1. Watch whales spouting during whale season. (Gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November, and for blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, plan your stay between July and October). Bower Park, just 0.5 miles away with a lovely lake, tennis courts, a baseball field, a basketball court, and two separate playgrounds. Play disc golf or hike along the nature trail/fitness course. Anchor Bay is 5 miles up CA 1, with a supermarket, a few cafes, restaurants (including a great Thai place!) laundromat, hair salon, and more. The quaint town of Point Arena is 12 miles north, with a supermarket, Frannie's Cup And Saucer, The Bird Cafe, a beautiful historic lighthouse, a theater, a pier, a mini-safari park (B Bryan Preserve with zebras, giraffes and more. Tours need to be booked in advance). Also visit Roots, a natural pharmacy for herbs, teas and supplements.  There are also spots like Occidental, Bodega Bay, Jenner (with the Russian River to kayak and swim) and Timber Cove, all on the way to Gualala from the south. Bodega Bay has lovely spots to eat, with clam chowder, fish and chips. Enjoy wind and water sports, and walk on the pier.

2. Clear Lake State Park

77%

(13)

273 sites · Soda Bay, California

California’s largest natural lake is a water recreation, fishing, and birdwatching hot spot.

While there are actually about a dozen wine tasting destinations throughout the state, Napa and Sonoma are arguably the most well-known regions of California Wine Country. Head to the tasting rooms of Healdsburg, Sonoma, or St. Helena—wine country towns where you’ll find provisions to support any Hipcamp adventure—or venture along the Silverado Trail, set amid rolling vineyards in the Napa Valley. Between tastings, nestle among the Bodega Dunes or soak up the vistas from Sugarloaf Ridge. Summer weekends are the most popular time for visitors, but it’s worth seeing the grapevines awash in vivid colors during autumn months.

94% (5.6K)

Top-rated campgrounds near California Wine Country

1. Thanktuary Retreat

96%

(115)

11 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Gualala, CA

Learn more about this land: The winds whisper through the redwood trees and provide respite from the hot sun. Here on the ridge above Gualala, lies nestled a lovely and serene campground called Thanktuary Retreat. Skunks, jackrabbits, deer, foxes and very rarely a mountain lion or bear can be found on our 5 acres of forested land. There is a fishpond with water lilies, mini golf course and pétanque court (both with equipment in a useful shed close by), a horse shoe ring and beautiful, natural secluded spots in the redwoods perfect for meditation and vision questing. Huckleberry bushes and ferns grow abundantly. The place lends itself to self-reflection and introspection. There is space for 1 RV with a patio table and chairs and some sun loungers. There are also 2 tent sites available on the property, located in one large area, further away from the RV sites. Barely 7 minutes away is downtown Gualala, with amenities such as 2 supermarkets, pharmacy, bakery, restaurants and more. There is a beautiful holistic gift store, The Sea Trader, Four Eyed Frog Bookstore, and some lovely art galleries in town.   Kayaking is available at the Gualala River. Hiking at Gualala Regional Park, the Bluff Trail, The Sea Ranch public access beaches, Stump Beach, Salt Point Park with a petrified forest, Bowling Ball Beach with its amazing natural formations (can only be seen fully at low tide of more than -0.2m), Manchester State Beach, Elk Beach, and more. Swimming at the Navarro River, and various bays. It is a place of incredible scenic beauty all along CA 1. Watch whales spouting during whale season. (Gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November, and for blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, plan your stay between July and October). Bower Park, just 0.5 miles away with a lovely lake, tennis courts, a baseball field, a basketball court, and two separate playgrounds. Play disc golf or hike along the nature trail/fitness course. Anchor Bay is 5 miles up CA 1, with a supermarket, a few cafes, restaurants (including a great Thai place!) laundromat, hair salon, and more. The quaint town of Point Arena is 12 miles north, with a supermarket, Frannie's Cup And Saucer, The Bird Cafe, a beautiful historic lighthouse, a theater, a pier, a mini-safari park (B Bryan Preserve with zebras, giraffes and more. Tours need to be booked in advance). Also visit Roots, a natural pharmacy for herbs, teas and supplements.  There are also spots like Occidental, Bodega Bay, Jenner (with the Russian River to kayak and swim) and Timber Cove, all on the way to Gualala from the south. Bodega Bay has lovely spots to eat, with clam chowder, fish and chips. Enjoy wind and water sports, and walk on the pier.

2. Clear Lake State Park

77%

(13)

273 sites · Soda Bay, California

California’s largest natural lake is a water recreation, fishing, and birdwatching hot spot.

Public campgrounds in and near California Wine Country

88%

(4)

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Deborah

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Thanktuary Retreat

The “Thanktuary “was a peaceful place. Our campsite was soft. Had water and a table with umbrella which was helpful due to the rain. We enjoyed walking the grounds, sitting in the hot tub and enjoying the woods.

s

sun

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Thanktuary Retreat

It's not the camping ground, it's nursing home, and In my opinion, don't book for people it's camping ground It's hard to get there we got there night time we almost scared to death to go there. But next morning we show it is peaceful and natural to heal mantaly that it.

N

Noam

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Thanktuary Retreat

Camped with two other groups at the site and didn't feel crowded. Bathroom was nice. Hot tub amazing. Great location. Recommend!

M

Mary

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Thanktuary Retreat

Pleasant stay. Quiet shaded campsite, clean restrooms and showers, convenient large sink for washing dishes. Didn’t use the hot tub because the weather was quite warm, but it looked nice..

S

Shiv

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Thanktuary Retreat

We had an amazing time camping here! The host was extremely friendly, very prompt in communication, and provided clear instructions that made everything smooth from the start. The location itself is absolutely beautiful and felt safe throughout our stay. The toilets were spotless, and there was access to clean water, which made things super convenient. Being right next to the Gualala River was a huge plus — it added a peaceful vibe and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. One of the highlights for us was stargazing at night. The sky was unbelievably clear, and it felt magical lying under a blanket of stars. Overall, this place checked all the boxes for us — safe, clean, scenic, and well-managed. We’ll definitely be coming back and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing and memorable camping experience. 🌟

C

Carol

July 2025

Tent

2 nights at Thanktuary Retreat

Great place for my van. Place was quiet and clean. Loved the bathhouse and kitchen dish washing area behind. Close to town and ocean

R

Reed

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Thanktuary Retreat

Everything as advertised. Bathroom setup and hot tub are superb, very clean and well maintained. Would absolutely visit again!

C

Chris

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Thanktuary Retreat

Was excellent. Quiet, plenty of space (though it didn’t hurt that we had the whole place to ourselves). Hit water, flushable toilets, hot showers, nice big sink to wash dishes. Very convenient, clean. We were in the Meadow campsite. 10 minutes to the ocean. Gualala a cool seaside town.

I

Isaac

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Thanktuary Retreat

Great spot to camp - room for a few nice flat pitches. Quiet at night so a perfect sleep and really nice toilet / shower block as well. Would recommend.

Stephanie

January 2025

Tent

1 night at Thanktuary Retreat

We had the meadow and the hot tub all to ourselves. Veena’s directions and communication were great. We stayed on a rainy night and had to move out of the meadow to avoid getting stuck in mud. We found a dry spot to park up top. Only stayed 1 night. Very quiet and clean.

A

April

November 2024

Tent

Weekend Trip to Thanktuary Retreat

Perfect quiet retreat. We were the only campers, though there are a few camp sites. The place was quiet and perfect for what we were looking for. The cedar hot tub was beautiful and relaxing, so nice to have a hot shower afterwards as well. Plenty of space to enjoy ourselves and a quick drive to the beach, shops, coffee, etc. Thank you!

Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near California Wine Country

77%

(13)

Clear Lake State Park

Soda Bay, California

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping in California Wine Country guide

Where to go

Napa Valley

Sip elegant wines and pack up artisanal treats to supply your picnic in Yountville, St. Helena, or Napa. (Oxbow Public Market is a must-stop for provisions.) The Silverado Trail is also teeming with prestigious wineries, and if the weather cooperates, it’s possible to ride bikes along this scenic country wine route, which travels a 30-mile distance between Napa and Calistoga.

Sonoma Valley

Exploring the coastal hills and valleys of Sonoma County, Hipcampers will find plenty of glamping spots among the vineyards. Sip your way through the Dry Creek Valley or the Sonoma Valley (aka Valley of the Moon), with the Russian River winding between them. History buffs can explore California’s last mission at Sonoma State Historic Park.

Russian River

Check out the Geyserville Sculpture Trail, then pop into the boutiques, wine shops, and eateries surrounding Healdsburg’s historic plaza. You can dip into the refreshing waters of the Russian River at Memorial Beach before making a detour through Guerneville to the river’s coastal outlet at Jenner, stopping en route to hike in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.

Sonoma Coast

Public beaches sprinkle Sonoma Coast State Park—ideal for pitching a tent or setting up your RV. From Bodega Bay to Jenner-by-the-Sea and all the way to remote Gerstle Cove at Salt Point, it isn’t hard to find your getaway. Devour crab sandwiches and slurp oysters, discover Russian settlements at Fort Ross State Park, hike the coastside Kortum Trail, or simply stroll along miles of sandy shoreline.