San Francisco is a bustling city, but it is also a great place to explore in an RV. There are many beautiful camping spots throughout the Bay Area where you can park your vehicle and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are looking for an affordable camper or a luxury RV rental in San Francisco, you can easily find it at VroomVroomVroom.
Location Overview
When someone mentions San Francisco, your first thoughts may be of a cable car, the hilly streets or the iconic image of the Golden Gate Bridge. These attractions barely scratch the surface when it comes to this colorful city. Visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or head across the shore to take a tour of Alcatraz Island. With an RV rental, you can explore more of California's stunning coastline.
Some of our favorite things to do year-round in San Francisco are:
Summer (June, July, August): There is no dull moment in the city in summer with numerous festivals happening this season including the Union Street Festival, North Beach Festival, and the San Francisco Jazz Festival. This is also the baseball season so make sure to catch a game at the AT&T Park.
Fall (September, October, November): Witness the breathtaking autumn leaves of the East Coast as you go on a day trip to Napa Valley. Just over an hour drive from San Francisco, Napa is the perfect place to explore different wineries and enjoy views of rolling vineyards. Fall is also a great time to go apple picking at Chileno Valley Ranch or Apple-A-Day Ratzlaff Ranch.
Winter (December, January, February): Ice skating is a popular winter activity in San Francisco and some of the best places to do this include the Union Square Ice Rink, Holiday Ice Rink, and Winter Park at Civic Center. Feel the holiday spirit by joining the WinterFest at California’s Great America and Holiday in the Park at Six Flags.
Spring (March, April, May): Head to the San Francisco Botanical Garden to witness flowers in full bloom this time of the year. The Golden Gate Park is also a wonderful place to visit in spring with its themed gardens. You can also enjoy whale watching this season and there are several whale tours to choose from in the city including San Francisco Whale Tours.
Year-Round: A trip to San Francisco won’t be complete without visiting the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Other attractions that won’t burn your pocket include the Alamo Square Painted Ladies, Cable Car Museum, Grace Cathedral, and Maritime Museum. If you got some money to spend, a trip to Alcatraz Island is definitely worth every penny.
Napa Valley Expo RV Park is on the 3rd Street in Napa and approximately an hour drive from San Francisco. The downtown historic Napa, Oxbow Market, and the Napa Valley Wine Train are all within 12 blocks. Free Wi-Fi with full hookups, water, electric, and sewer are available for a modest fee. There is a dump fee charge if you are visiting and not camping. Hang out for the seasonal Napa Town and County Fair during the summer.
Tradewinds RV Park, on Lincoln Road in West Vallejo, lets vacationers find the one place that fits RV hookups. It’s just a 30 to 45-minute drive from San Francisco. Skip the freeways, hang out in an RV, and stay at Lincoln Road West for a superb destination experience. Trek across San Francisco Bay to and from the Tradewinds on the Vallejo-San Francisco Ferry. Cable service, DVD rentals, laundry, restrooms, and showers are all on-site for Tradewinds guests.
Wine Country RV Park, on Cristobal Way in the city of Rohnert Park, receives accolades from RV rental travelers. Full hookups, water, electric, and septic service are accessible to visitors. The park has a total of 150 campsites with guest access to workout facilities, recreation, and internet. Wine Country RV invites pets too for a well-rounded family stay. Find your perfect Wine Country oasis at Sonoma.
The Golden Gate Bridge has become a famous symbol for San Francisco around the world. The bridge spans 1.7 miles, linking San Francisco to Marin County. Enjoy the impressive view of the bridge from a number of different vantage points around the city, or head off on a long walk across the bay.
The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary is a well-known former prison on Alcatraz Island. Visitors can go on informative tours of the site and learn about some of the famous criminals that were held there, escape attempts and the military history of the area. You can take a boat ride from San Francisco and it will only take around 15 minutes to get to the island.
Fisherman's Wharf overlooks San Francisco's beautiful bay and provides a variety of seafood dining options. There are also interesting markets along the surrounding streets and unique souvenir shops. Sightseeing cruises often leave from Fisherman's Wharf. Don't miss out on one of the city's most famous regions if you are visiting the city.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, located on Howard Street, caters to the vibrant worlds of paintings, sculptures, and media all with a theme-centric San Francisco. Local and international artists show collections that depict the shifts of culture and cross-cultural experiences. Park your RV rental and check-in at SFMOMA to see film installations and tech-driven art that will amaze and astonish. The museum presents modern art and multimedia at Third Street.
You need to be at least 21 years old to be able to rent an RV in San Francisco. However, extra charges may apply so make sure to coordinate with the rental company.
There’s no need to provide a special license. As long as you have a valid license, then you can now drive an RV in San Francisco. If your license is not in English, you need to provide an International Driving Permit (IDP).
You can park your RV on any street in San Francisco that is not signposted. Make sure that you are also parked at least 100 feet from any intersection.
There is only one campground in San Francisco and that is Candlestick RV Park. However, there are several campgrounds nearby such as San Francisco RV Resort, Treasure Island RV Park, and Marin Park that are less than an hour drive away.
