San Francisco's Peaceful Campground Offers A Fun And Outdoorsy Escape From The City

The vibrant city of San Francisco, California, is a destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. From historic neighborhoods like the oldest Japantown in America to cultural hot spots with unique shops and restaurants, there's something to delight every type of traveler. There's no shortage of great hotels to choose from in San Francisco, but if you'd rather spend the night sleeping under the stars than lounging in luxury, you should head straight to Rob Hill Campground.

Camping is one of the best ways to travel on a budget. Sleeping in a tent can help you save a ton on accommodations, but if you're planning on visiting a big metropolis, you may have to travel far outside the city limits to find a campground. Rob Hill Campground, on the other hand, is located under 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. 

Rob Hill Campground is nestled within a 1,491 acre national park site called the Presidio of San Francisco. There are only four campsites available at the campground. Each site can accommodate up to 30 people, which makes it an ideal option for large groups of friends or families who are traveling together.

If you're more interested in spending time in nature than wandering through city streets at night, but still want the opportunity to explore everything that San Francisco has to offer, Rob Hill Campground is an ideal place to stay. In about 20 minutes or less you can drive to iconic tourist destinations like Fisherman's Wharf, Japantown, and Union Square, so it's the perfect home base if you plan on doing sightseeing. Even though it's super close to the city's action, Rob Hill Campground allows visitors to feel immersed in nature.

"It's hard to believe, but you actually forget you're in the city. The night we were there, there were absolutely no city sounds. Instead we were lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean and passing ships," a camper named Leah Perrien wrote in a Google review.

Within the Presidio of San Francisco, where the campground is located, visitors can enjoy 24 miles of trails for hiking and biking. You can even hike to Baker Beach in about 20 minutes. The campground is perched at the highest point of the park, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and multiple people who have stayed there mentioned that the views were gorgeous in their reviews on Google. "It is located in a very nice location with a super pretty view specially for sunset lovers," a camper named Irma Avila wrote. Each campsite has a fire ring so you can roast marshmallows and chat around a crackling blaze. Bathrooms with flush toilets and potable water is available onsite, but there are no showers. There are also grills and picnic tables for guests to use.

Campsites at Rob Hill Campground are best for large groups, as each site can accommodate up to 30 people. The cost per campsite is $105 per night with an additional $65 per night fee on the weekends. Guests can stay for a maximum of two nights. You can still reserve the sites if you have a smaller group, but the cost remains the same. Only tents are permitted; camper vans and RV's are not allowed. 

Rob Hill Campground operates seasonally. The campground generally opens for the year around April 1 and closes for the winter on November 1. It's a popular spot for tourists, locals, and groups of students. Since there are only four sites, reservations fill up fast, so you should be booking your campsite well in advance if you hope to stay at Rob Hill Campground during your trip to San Francisco. Reservations can be made on the Recreation.gov website.

If you're renting a car or taking a taxi, San Francisco International Airport is about 35 minutes from the campground. Oakland International Airport is about 50 minutes away. It is also possible to reach the campground via public transportation from both airports and from downtown San Francisco. For more information, check out our guide to San Francisco's public transportation system.