The best bell tents near San Francisco

One of California's most-visited cities, compact San Francisco has long drawn in visitors with its beautiful structures–from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to the colorful Painted Lady rowhouses–and its famous cultural historic attractions. Here you’ll find historic sites such as Alcatraz Island and the oldest Chinatown in North America, along with hundreds of innovative restaurants and many of California’s most impressive museums. And while San Francisco has tons to see and do, it’s also a fantastic jumping-off point for exploring some of California’s most beautiful outdoor areas, many of which are just a short drive away.

94% (105) • 4 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near San Francisco

May's Luxury Farmstays

1. May's Luxury Farmstays

96%

(126)

26mi from San Francisco · 5 sites

Relax and recharge at our retreat in Los Gatos. Whether you’re here to reconnect with nature, hike the trails, camp under the stars, or explore the Bay Area, Harlan’s Retreat, has everything for a worry-free stay! With nature trails on-site and the Saratoga Gap down the road, you won’t have to go far, For fun drive into the city. Come home and admire the amazing views from your secluded glamp-site with sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley 2,800 feet below. This very private site offers breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay and the south bay. The views at night are transcendent. The Apple building and Moffet field are clearly visible. you look down from above the clouds to the valley floor 2,800 feet below.

Toilets

Showers

Hot Tub

from

$99

/ night

Sacred Owl Land

2. Sacred Owl Land

100%

(25)

48mi from San Francisco · 3 sites

Welcome to Sacred Owl Land — A Sanctuary for the Soul Tucked into the serene hills of California’s central coast, Sacred Owl Land is a sacred, off-grid retreat space designed for rest, renewal, and reconnection with nature. We invite you to unwind in one of our two thoughtfully crafted cabana stays, each offering comfort, privacy, and expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Each cabana features: A beautiful queen-size bed or california King bed, loft style Private indoor sink and hot shower French press with coffee & tea (the tea is harvested from our land) and basic utensils Small fridge Large windows for stargazing or sunset watching from bed Access to a shared outdoor composting toilet Guests staying in either cabana also enjoy access to beautiful shared spaces, including: A hot tub under the stars A communal fire pit A BBQ area A peaceful outdoor yoga deck with ocean views Whether you're soaking in the tub, practicing morning yoga, or enjoying the stillness of the land, Sacred Owl Land offers a deeply nourishing experience for body and spirit. Located just 20 minutes from the beach and walking distance to a local winery, it's a perfect escape into simplicity and sacred beauty. For movement and mindfulness, we offer both an outdoor yoga deck with ocean views and an indoor yoga shala for quiet practice or group sessions. Sacred Owl Land is ideal for retreating, gathering, or simply being. Nature lovers will appreciate the nearby walking trails and scenic hikes. More details will be shared after

Toilets

Showers

Campfires

from

$95

/ night

The Rainbow Junction

3. The Rainbow Junction

89%

(9)

41mi from San Francisco · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging

The Rainbow Junction offers a unique camping experience at the intersection of Mines Road and HWY 130 in the San Antonio Valley. We operate a restaurant and we offer camping friendly meals for guests. We love the wildness of this property and do not allow cars or vehicles beyond the parking lot. All of our sites are hike in sites. It's about a 1/4 mile hike on a small foot path. We have a wagon available for guests to use and we are happy to help you carry your things. We host a communal fire pit in the evenings, weather permitting, for all guests to enjoy, we do not allow open fires on the property. Cal Fire has requested that all campers get a permit, even to operate a gas stove. The permit is free and takes just a few minutes. https://permit.preventwildfiresca.org/ Please pack your trash, food scraps can be place in our compost but please be prepared to take all other items with you when you leave. Our swimming pond is about a 3/4 mile hike through brush from the restaurant but is a great way to beat the heat during the day! Campsites have a picnic table. A dry toilet is a short walk from campsites and we equip sites with a water dispenser and a sealed container for trash. Water from our well is always available outside of the restaurant and bathrooms with running water are available during business hours. There is a fire trail along one of our ridge lines that offers stunning views of the San Antonio Valley as well as our abundant wildlife. We sometimes host speakers and educational workshops and guests are always welcome to participate in events. Campers, trailers, RVs and Vans are welcome to stay in our lot but we currently do not have hookups available. Have a large group? We are happy to reserve group sites.

Pets

Toilets

Potable water

from

$40

/ night

94% (105) • 4 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near San Francisco

May's Luxury Farmstays

1. May's Luxury Farmstays

96%

(126)

26mi from San Francisco · 5 sites

Toilets

Showers

Hot Tub

from

$99

/ night

Sacred Owl Land

2. Sacred Owl Land

100%

(25)

48mi from San Francisco · 3 sites

Toilets

Showers

Campfires

from

$95

/ night

The Rainbow Junction

3. The Rainbow Junction

89%

(9)

41mi from San Francisco · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging

Pets

Toilets

Potable water

from

$40

/ night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Minna

February 2026

1 night at May's Luxury Farmstays

We had a lovely rainy stay! The accommodations were fantastic. The hosts really good out of their way to make this place special.

Lynn

January 2026

Weekend Trip to May's Luxury Farmstays

My daughter and I had a lovely time for my birthday getaway weekend. I tried to book this place for my husband’s birthday in July but it was booked and every time I check it is usually filled with. We decided to check because it is the off season and there was one spot left for a Yurt. We showed up and it was already dark but we were able to navigate to our area with the instructions. Jeremy the maintenance manager was there within a few minutes to assist us with heaters and give us the lay of the land. We had great conversations with Jon and he introduced us to the chickens and geese. My daughter enjoyed talking with Jon’s wife as well. Fresh eggs, fresh air and beautiful skies all around. We definitely will be back. If you’re on the fence about this place don’t be where else can you take a hot bath under the stars. Pull the trigger and live a little bit. You won’t regret it and if you do well you don’t belong in our circle. ❤️

Kelsey

December 2025

1 night at May's Luxury Farmstays

This place is so great, a perfect birthday getaway!! The details are so well thought out and it felt like we had a ton of privacy, while being close to town still. The hosts thought of everything, down to heated toilet seats which was a nice touch this time of year! Thoughtfully stacked snacks and drinks of all kinds. The eggs were great! Host was very communicative and easy to reach. Even brought me champagne for my birthday! There are a bunch of animals which made it extra fun. Even fish food for the fish in the pond. Just very well put together all around. The tub at sunset was a dream. We will absolutely be back!

Zachary

November 2025

2 nights at May's Luxury Farmstays

Great little place. We loved our stay. And the host was super friendly and thoughtful. Also very communicative if we had any problems. The Tub was a highlight.

Amy

October 2025

3 nights at May's Luxury Farmstays

Everything at the yurt was so wonderful! We loved our spot under the trees (the other one was more out in the open so we chose well!). While we had initially thought about taking some day trips, we literally stayed all 3 days at the yurt and the grounds--feeding the fish and chickens and geese, walking around, sitting in the tub, etc. John was friendly and kind and would check in on if we needed anything restocked. (The Peppermint Bark liqueur was a favorite!) A fully stocked bar was really special, as was the view, and the feeling that we could wander and explore. A great sister trip to be sure and we will definitely, definitely be returning.

Rajat

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to May's Luxury Farmstays

Everything was so well done! We visited with our kiddos and absolutely loved it. The kids were occupied, and had loads of fun feeding the fish at the pond and in the hot tub. We were especially grateful for the heater in the camp. The night was very windy and cold, but the heater kept us (ans esp the kids) warm and snug.

Chris

October 2025

With kids

3 nights at May's Luxury Farmstays

Love this place!! Outdoor tub overlooks San Jose lights and is so relaxing Koi pond on premises was really cool too Downtown Saratoga was great to wander around and Santa Cruz isn’t too far either.

Sasha

September 2025

2 nights at May's Luxury Farmstays

Had a wonderful time spending the weekend up in the mountains. The Yurt has everything you could ask for and more. Including complimentary drinks, a hot bath, an extremely responsive host and more. I highly recommend taking a trip up and experiencing Mary’s farm stays! The hosts will get you anything you need and provide a welcoming space. 10/10 recommend!

Alec

September 2025

Weekend Trip to May's Luxury Farmstays

It was an amazing experience. I took my fiancée up there for her birthday and the entire scenery and weekend we had was amazing. Bed was comfortable and yurt was stocked with great stuff to use. Would definitely come again!

Todd

September 2025

2 nights at May's Luxury Farmstays

They thought of everything. One of the nicest stays I have had off this platform. Really enjoyed the views, bird life, and accommodations. Nicely located to still make town reachable if needed while still feeling deep in the forest. I have never bothered to leave a review but this one exceeded all my expectations.

Karolina

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Sacred Owl Land

We had such a great stay in the glamping tent! The place is super peaceful and beautiful, and the tent itself was really clean, roomy, and the beds were super comfy. We loved hanging out by the outdoor fireplace in the evening—it was such a nice bonus. The views were amazing, and the hosts were so welcoming and generous with the space. We felt right at home. We’ll definitely be back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy getaway in the Santa Cruz Mountains with stunning views.

Charlize

August 2025

Weekend Trip to May's Luxury Farmstays

We had a great time in their yurt. It was a little confusing for us coming up their road at first but once we were there they guided us to our space. They weren’t kidding about having everything we might need lol! It was also really nice of them to provide fresh eggs from their chickens. A small tip would be just like any trip, when in doubt, bring extra (of watever you’re bringing). It was very lovely view and just a great way to relax without having to go far from the Bay Area. Thank you guys!

Peter

August 2025

1 night at May's Luxury Farmstays

Cannot express how amazing this site was, everything you could need was in the camp and the view in the morning was unreal, wish I could stay longer

Sophia

August 2025

Weekend Trip to May's Luxury Farmstays

The yurt was awesome ! There is a lot of traffic on the road below, the property but it's quiet at night and the views are awesome.

Darragi

August 2025

1 night at May's Luxury Farmstays

My husband and I recently spent a stay at a yurt on top in the mountains, and it was an unforgettable experience for his birthday. The location is incredibly quiet, with a charming small lake nearby. We stayed in a tent, and despite being surrounded by nature, we had all the comforts we needed. The fridge was fully stocked, and we had all the kitchen equipment for a perfect barbecue. There was even a fire outside and a heater inside to keep us warm. The outdoor bath was an absolute highlight—truly amazing! One of the most magical parts of our stay was the night sky: we were there at the perfect time to catch a meteor shower, and around 2 a.m., we lay on a bench by the lake and saw an incredible number of meteors. It was truly extraordinary! There were also some friendly chickens and geese, adding to the charm. The only small downside was that the lake isn’t swimmable, but there were beautiful fish that we enjoyed feeding. Overall, it was a wonderful escape to relax, unwind, and reconnect with nature.

Keanu

August 2025

3 nights at May's Luxury Farmstays

Very beautiful place with nice hosts. Everything worked and was as expected. The hosts are funny, kind and knowledgeable of the area. Would definitely stay here again.

yanina

August 2025

Weekend Trip to May's Luxury Farmstays

I stayed at the “yurt above it all” and it was awesome! Everything you think you can need you have it there (snacks, drinks with and without alcohol, wine, kitchen supplies and more!). The bathroom is super clean with a shower and a tub in the spot with hot water. The fresh eggs were such a plus! The only thing I would recommend is double check your reservation with the host due to overbooking sometimes, he would be happy to answer your call or text anytime! Definitely going back another time!

Andrii

August 2025

Weekend Trip to May's Luxury Farmstays

We stayed at a glamping yurt last weekend, really nice place. There’s a lot of stuff for making cocktails, which I liked. Big thanks to John for the hospitality. Fresh home eggs were a great touch, and our family loved them. The only thing was the motorcycles being a bit loud, hopefully that’s just for some season. Overall, a great spot. I’m planning to go there some time again

Molly

July 2025

With kids

2 nights at May's Luxury Farmstays

I recently stayed here with my two daughters, ages five and seven! They loved all the animals and feeding the fish in the pond! Everything was clean and in good working order. The only thing that I thought was weird was the amount of alcohol provided and available for consumption in the yurt. Fridge full of beers, full bar with probably 10 different types of hard alcohol, a drink mixing area and then a large box of probably 10-15 different mixers. Again, this might sound really attractive to some, but personally, I do not drink and found this uncomfortable as I was on a little mommy trip with my two young daughters.

Kristen

July 2025

Group trip

1 night at May's Luxury Farmstays

John greeted us upon arrival and gave us “the lay of the land”; he was very friendly and hospitable! Later in the evening he came by with a couple different yummy vodka’s for us to enjoy during our stay because I had mentioned I would enjoy more of the strawberry mixer. Our unit was well-stocked with snacks (which my teenagers absolutely loved!!!) and beverages — I would’ve appreciated cider instead of beer 😜. Some of the food products were expired and somehow we had 3 yellow mustards—who needs that much mustard? BUT there were also farm fresh eggs! The outdoor bath was lovely but the flow rate on the shower would only keep the water hot on the highest setting and resulted in liquid lava water temp, even with the water heater turned down. Only a few of the solar lights worked outside, which could be because they are shaded even during daylight hours. We enjoyed the view at night and the cloud cover in the morning; went for a little hike, fed the koi (with provided food) and visited with the ducks, geese and chickens. My son really wanted to go camping and catch a fish, but this spot rated much higher for him than the spot that “checked” his boxes for a camping trip!

San Francisco camping guide

Where to go

North Bay

Take the Golden Gate Bridge across the San Francisco Bay and you’ll find yourself in the North Bay, known for beautiful beaches, cute towns, and two of California’s most lauded wine regions: the Napa Valley and Sonoma County. You'll find fantastic camping options across the region, from the redwood forests of Mount Tamalpais State Park to secluded Angel Island State Park, which you can only reach by taking a boat or ferry across the San Francisco Bay.

East Bay

While many people associate the East Bay with Oakland, you won't need to go far to get out into beautiful natural areas, either for the day or for a few nights. Great options with campgrounds include Mount Diablo State Park, where you can take in beautiful views of the region, and Anthony Chabot Regional Park, just east of San Leandro.

Along the Pacific Ocean

Some of California's most inviting stretches of coastline are within a short jaunt of San Francisco, from the dramatic cliffs of Point Reyes National Seashore in the North Bay to the sandy shores of Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco. While many of the camping options in this area are on private land, some state-run parks, such as Salt Point State Park, have campgrounds.

Santa Cruz Mountains

Part of the longer Pacific Coast mountain range, the Santa Cruz Mountains are great for hiking and backpacking. Both Castle Rock State Park and Portola Redwoods State Park have backcountry trail camping options, and Portola also has a group drive-in family campground. Sanborn County State Park is another good option, with both RV and hike-in campgrounds.

When to go

San Francisco's weather is notoriously idiosyncratic, so no matter when you visit, it's good to wear layers and be prepared for the possibility of rainfall. While early summer can get a lot of fog, things usually clear up by late August and stay warm well into early October. If you’re planning to camp in the area, you’ll find pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds after the Labor Day weekend.