The best domes near San Francisco

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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.

100% (10) 2 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near San Francisco

Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

1. Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

100%
(10)
45mi from San Francisco · 3 sites · Lodging
We only book one group at a time so whether you are a couple or a large group, you get the whole place privately to yourself. Our home is a short distance away in case you need anything. Located an hour drive from the bay area, Camp Cruz is a year-round glamping retreat in the redwoods ideal for people who want a private outdoor getaway in the forest without giving up basic living comforts. It is a perfect destination to unwind, recharge, and create special memories in nature. We are also only 30 minutes from Monterey/Santa Cruz for guests who want to enjoy the coastal cities. We offer guests 2 private bedrooms: the Raven’s Nest (an aircrete dome) and/or the Owl’s Nest (a yurt). More guests are welcome if you bring your own camping tents. There is a fully equipped covered kitchen with stove, fridge, barbecue grill, electric coffee maker, tables and chairs, and more. The kitchen also has a ping pong table. There is also a large geodome furnished as a game room with couches, a lounge area, pool table, foosball table, a stereo, games, and music equipment. There are clean composting toilets, hot showers, a propane fire pit, heaters for the cold, a hammock bungalow, a meditation pagoda, a deck overlooking a creek, and disc golf baskets. With a fair balance of sunlight and shade, we have a garden, some outdoor play equipment, and lots of open space to spread out and relax. Free wifi is available. We run a nonprofit outdoor education camp for underprivileged youth, and your stay supports our work. Winter lodging.... It can get seasonably cold in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the winter. If visiting in the winter, rest assured we have everything covered to enjoy your stay. We have propane heaters in all main spaces for your comfort. If the power goes out, we have a standby generator that will power up camp provided we are home to turn it on. We have a woodstoves in the Owl's Nest and Eagle's Nest. We provide a fire starter log for each woodstove for each night of your stay, and guests are responsible for bringing firewood to keep the woodstoves going for continued warmth throughout each evening.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$250
 / night

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.

100% (10) 2 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near San Francisco

Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

1. Camp Cruz Glamping Retreat

100%
(10)
45mi from San Francisco · 3 sites · Lodging
We only book one group at a time so whether you are a couple or a large group, you get the whole place privately to yourself. Our home is a short distance away in case you need anything. Located an hour drive from the bay area, Camp Cruz is a year-round glamping retreat in the redwoods ideal for people who want a private outdoor getaway in the forest without giving up basic living comforts. It is a perfect destination to unwind, recharge, and create special memories in nature. We are also only 30 minutes from Monterey/Santa Cruz for guests who want to enjoy the coastal cities. We offer guests 2 private bedrooms: the Raven’s Nest (an aircrete dome) and/or the Owl’s Nest (a yurt). More guests are welcome if you bring your own camping tents. There is a fully equipped covered kitchen with stove, fridge, barbecue grill, electric coffee maker, tables and chairs, and more. The kitchen also has a ping pong table. There is also a large geodome furnished as a game room with couches, a lounge area, pool table, foosball table, a stereo, games, and music equipment. There are clean composting toilets, hot showers, a propane fire pit, heaters for the cold, a hammock bungalow, a meditation pagoda, a deck overlooking a creek, and disc golf baskets. With a fair balance of sunlight and shade, we have a garden, some outdoor play equipment, and lots of open space to spread out and relax. Free wifi is available. We run a nonprofit outdoor education camp for underprivileged youth, and your stay supports our work. Winter lodging.... It can get seasonably cold in the Santa Cruz Mountains during the winter. If visiting in the winter, rest assured we have everything covered to enjoy your stay. We have propane heaters in all main spaces for your comfort. If the power goes out, we have a standby generator that will power up camp provided we are home to turn it on. We have a woodstoves in the Owl's Nest and Eagle's Nest. We provide a fire starter log for each woodstove for each night of your stay, and guests are responsible for bringing firewood to keep the woodstoves going for continued warmth throughout each evening.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$250
 / night

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The best domes near San Francisco 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.

Popular San Francisco glamping styles