San Rafael

Mountain views, coastal hikes, and nearby wine country make this North Bay hub the perfect home base.

Find & reserve the best big rig friendly campsites near San Rafael, California. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

The best big rig friendly campgrounds near San Rafael, California

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Santa Cruz

Fort Bragg

Monterey

Half Moon Bay

Pismo Beach

Mammoth Lakes

June Lake

Morro Bay

Limekiln State Park

Butano State Park

Modesto Reservoir Regional Park

Castle Rock State Park

Tolowa Dunes State Park

Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Russian Gulch State Park

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Estero San Antonio Wonderland

Primitive and RV Sites with sweeping views of West Marin pastureland at True Grass Farms, a working ranch along the Estero San Antonio. Our campsites are well spaced for privacy and quiet, surrounded by birdsong, grazing animals, and the rhythms of ranch life.

Each primitive site overlooks the Estero and is near a mowed grass road for easy access. It’s peaceful here at night—other campers may be nearby, but you’ll feel immersed in nature.

Enjoy access to our open pastures for picnics and leisurely walks. At check-in, we’ll point you toward a few special places around the ranch and nearby area. We also offer a variety of grass-finished beef, lamb, pork, eggs, and vegetables grown and raised right here on the ranch.

Primitive sites are back-to-basics: no hookups, no structures, no potable water. There is non-potable water available for washing—please bring your own drinking water. A shared composting toilet is available to all campers. A liability waiver must be signed at check-in. Winds can be strong in spring and summer, but sites are placed on the leeward side for protection. Fires are permitted when conditions allow—check with us on arrival.

We’re just 10 minutes from Tomales, 15 from Valley Ford, and 3.5 miles from Dillon Beach. Bring a kayak or canoe and paddle from camp to the Pacific via the Estero.

Looking for more comfort? We offer two RV sites:

The Heron’s Nest is a cozy trailer tucked under a large willow, just 10 feet from the water. It includes a queen bed, kitchenette, indoor composting toilet, outdoor shower, firepit, and direct Estero access—perfect for two guests.

The Badger’s Den is a private full trailer with a queen bed, kitchen, dining area, indoor shower, and composting toilet—plus a private sauna, in-ground firepit, and peaceful surroundings. Adults only.

We care deeply for this land and invite guests who feel the same. Visit True Grass Farms online to learn more about our work and philosophy.

Electricity Hookup

Water Hookup

Potable water

Studdert Family Farm

Our family farm is  located in the heart of beautiful Sonoma Valley. A total of 7 acres with 4 in Chardonnay grapes and 3 as our homestead and sheep farm. Come feed animals, gather eggs and use our place as a launching point for your wine country vacation.While riding her horse through the vineyards, a friend of ours noticed a "For Sale" sign.  Nice barn, lighted arena, hmmm...maybe my friends would like to move here.  One phone call and a risky escrow led to our dream property.  We've slowly made it our own and have found that growing roses, grapes, fruit trees, chickens and sheep are our specialty.  We've been "camping" here since 2002 and can't believe our luck.  With uninhibited views of the beautiful hillsides and a rural lifestyle, our farm makes us feel like Nature paints us a new painting every day.  The Chardonnay grapes are turned into wonderful Carneros wines by some of the areas best winemakers.  

Swallowtail Historic Art Studio

Antique Indonesian teakwood cottage, private deck with hot tub and very special, large, artistic bathroom/sitting room, private for cottage guests only.. Beautifully rural, yet just 6 minutes from historic downtown Petaluma and fine restaurants and shops. A short trip to the Pacific coast and the fabulous Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Tomales and Bodega Bays and towns, excellent vineyards and breweries, and San Francisco! WE FOLLOW THE CLEANING AND DISINFECTING GUIDELINES ISSUED BY AIRBNB.
The space
The antique Indonesian cottage is made of beautifully hand carved and hand colored teak wood, and is quiet, cozy and romantic with lovely views. It abuts a large private deck and hot tub. Just a few steps across the deck is the very large, luxurious, art filled, centrally heated private bathroom and sitting area. The cottage itself is unheated although there is a premium electric mattress pad with separate controls on the California King bed. That and the hot tub make for cozy sleeping on chilly winter nights
Guest access
Aside from the private deck, hot tub and bathroom/sitting room (with 6' tub and shower), guests can access 2.5 peaceful acres, woods and fields and Helen Putnam Regional Park one mile down the road for spectacular hiking.
Other things to note
In the 1970's this property was Swallowtail Studios, a famous glass blowers cooperative. The Grateful Dead played in the barn and hung out here...their manager lived just down the road. The barn is redwood, quite large and beautiful, with stained glass windows."


Dispersed tent-only camping in the "dome meadow"

Slide Ranch

Slide Ranch is a nonprofit organization established in 1970, becoming one of the first Park Partners in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Slide Ranch is located on the Marin coast, on land that has a rich history in connecting people to food. The Coast Miwok once fished and foraged for food at this site, and in the late 19th century Portuguese dairy farmers purchased the land and produced milk and butter for residents of San Francisco. In 1969, 134 acres of this fertile coastline were rescued from commercial development. Slide Ranch camping fees directly fund scholarships for youth programs throughout the year.

Slide Ranch is an unpaved ranch environment. Our trails and garden paths all consist of uneven, sloping terrain, often muddy or soft ground during the winter season, and may be challenging to access for visitors with significant mobility restrictions.

Minors aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

No pets allowed; service animals are permitted.

We do not have showering facilities or flush toilets. Water in all Slide Ranch taps is potable for refilling water bottles/jugs. Soap is provided for hand washing.

Slide Ranch does not have any concessions on site. Camping is not supported by the on-site staff. Per current GGNRA regulations, campfires and open flames of any kind are not allowed. 

The communal dome and composting toilet (plus hand washing station)

View from the dome overlooking the meadow site

Upper Meadow site on the right, another more protected spot to pitch a tent

Pets

The Meadow Grove of Hands Full Farm

The Meadow  Grove is a wild and natural pasture with campsites located near the historic Narrow Gauge Railroad bed on a family owned working ranch in coastal Northern California. The camp sites are nestled in a pasture and grove of mixed Eucalyptus, willow and cypress trees. The sites are perfect for tents or camper vans, or small trailers. [When we open in the spring, the grass can be 'slippery' and it is  recommended you have 4WD. Around mid-June it is dried out enough for 2WD access to all sites]. Not suitable for RVs
It is also, managed and operated by a single mother. Please keep this in mind.
Notes about the campsites are: They each come with a picnic table. The grounds are a working ranch, so there is variations of the soil- some lumps and bumps and general natural state of a pasture v. a groomed lawn. Site #1, #2, #3, and #4 have the most level areas for parking and tent-ing. 
Up until mid-June, we recommend #1 for 2WD access. Campervans that do not have 4WD may have trouble accessing other sites. Please remember this when you book!
*Campers who "change sites" without written approval by the host will be charged double!*
There is a composting camp toilet, we do not have running water at the campground. 

The ranch itself is 300 acres of rolling hills pasture, with hilltop views of the Estero Americano valley. The Meadow Grove is home to many varieties of raptors and other birds-providing excellent bird watching. Seasonally there are blackberries to fill your containers, and some hiking. We are mere minutes from the quaint towns of Valley Ford, Tomales, and Dillon Beach, and a short drive from Bodega, Bodega Bay or Marshall, Pt. Reyes Station and Inverness. Nearby attractions include: Sonoma Coast beaches, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, coastal hiking trails, local farm-to-table eateries.
Inland attractions include: redwoods, wine tasting, Russian River activities and so much more. 

The ranch borders Hwy 1, so there is some degree of road noise. Traffic usually dies down mid afternoon, and isn't too much of a disturbance. Virtually all traffic on our stretch of road is daytime traffic. There can be however, some heavy weekend traffic during the day with car clubs and motorcycle riders enjoying the coastal highway.
*The Friendly Gray Cat's name is Boots!*

View of the driveway coming from the north

View of the driveway entrance coming from the south

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