San Francisco Nights

Date night in the city: Don’t end it with “Your place or mine?” Try camping at one of six bayside campsites at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. Opened in 2018, the sites are located on Sunrise Point, aptly named for being one of the first locations to get beams of the rising sun over the East Bay hills.

The campground is designated as primitive but does have access to potable water and flush toilets (during park hours, otherwise pit). Each site also has access to picnic tables, food storage lockers, and charcoal grills. Dinner, done! A major highlight is the ability to spend a night nearly on the bay water. Campsites 1 and 2 offer the best views of the bay, and sites 3–6 offer more shelter from the coastal breeze (which can pick up quite a bit). After setting up your tent, take a walk over to the pier, take a dip in the bay at Jack Rabbit Beach, and enjoy the views around you. Even with the bustle of downtown just a few miles away, you might get the campground to yourself!

Bonus Paddle: Rent a kayak or bring your own and paddle in and out of Jack Rabbit Beach, just a half mile from the campsite.

Reservations are required with a fee of $35, and the park has a maximum two-night stay. No parking is allowed in the park overnight. The best location is to park along Hunters Point Expressway near the wooden split-rail fence. Be sure to take or hide all valuables. This parking location will leave a quick half-mile walk to the furthest campsite. With SFO nearby, light sleepers are recommended to bring earplugs. No dogs overnight.