Favorite Bay Area S24Os?

[Jesse Bussell]

Hello! I am hoping to do a lot more quick overnight trips this year and was wondering if people had favorite rides and camp spots in the bay area? I have a few Marin sites on my list (Pantoll, Hawk).

I live in SF, but not opposed to taking bart as part of the trip.

[Cyclofiend Jim]

Angel Island is an oft-overlooked destination. 
SP Taylor State Park (though in a valley and tends to be a bit damp)
China Camp State Park

[Donzaemon]

Does one need a reservation to camp there? Trying to plan a trip there this spring and most of the weekend slots are gone.

Don

[Jesse Bussell]

Thanks! I was able to a camp reservation in Feb for Angel Isand, i'll report back on how it went. 

Donzaemon - I think most "require" a reservation, but some do have first some site for bikers/hikers. A few friends also let me know that they have never had an issue showing up during the week. Weekends are probably a different story.

[Bill Lindsay]

Camp Site #1 at Angel Island, facing East towards Richmond, has adjacent to it the best climbing tree I've ever seen.  I'm not a big climbing tree connoisseur, but that one is #1 in my limited experience.  I had two overnighters there and would do again.

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[christian poppell]

Hey Jesse,

I've visited Samuel P many times via bike. Pre 2020, hiker biker site at Samuel P was no reservation required. Even when the hiker/biker was "full" there was always enough room to squeeze in. The best part of sharing the site with others is hearing their stories. Some were overnighters like me, others were from Europe and hiking up the California coast. You might want to check on the policies of the state park as many things have changed since 2020.

Riding to go camping was a revelation for me. I could ride to a destination, sleep, then ride back which doubled the distance between points I could ride in a day. It sounds silly writing it out but was totally mind blowing at the time as all my rides prior were planned around getting back to where I started. 

Here's a write up I did back in 2017 about riding up to Samuel P on a Quickbeam. https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/8AYdSsNsh7E/m/h5unB6v_AwAJ 

Please give us an update after your trip. always enjoy reading others ride reports :)

Christian

Phoenix, AZ

[Pancake]

Bothe in Calistoga. Good hike and bike campsite always available. Though this will be a better option as the Vine Trail continues to be extende, otherwise you get some time on Silverado Trail which is nice but … yeah, cars.

[Jim M.]

This being the Riv list, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Mt Diablo. There are sanctioned campgrounds, but there is a lot of space for unsanctioned camping. Just don't light a campfire at the unsanctioned spots. 

jim mather

walnut creek ca

[aeroperf]

Milpitas!  South Bay.  Up Calaveras Rd from Milpitas, Right on Calaveras Rd at Ed Levin Park, onto Felter Rd where it splits off, and onto Marsh Rd to reach the SE end of the Calaveras Reservoir to camp, or continue on Felter Rd to Sierra Rd and come down that way.  A lot of climbing, a lot of descent.

Not sure about the camping, since it’s been 10 years, but you used to be able to camp in Ed Levin Park, and do the rest of the Sierra Rd ride the next morning.  The views!

[Sarah Carlson]

I do love Mt. Diablo but would recommend sticking to Spring nights or timing your arrival so you minimize the time sitting out in the sun as the campsites are up high in an exposed area (unless you know a spot with more tree cover). We had a couple hours baking in the sun in 90 degree weather. My daughter still likes to joke when we drive by the mountain, "I bet you it's only 64 degrees up there!" It is one of my favorite spots but I haven't convinced anyone in my family to do a repeat trip.