The Pantoll Campground, on the Panoramic Highway, has about 15 sites approximately 100 yards from the parking area. Drinking water, firewood and restrooms with flush toilets are nearby. There are no showers. Campsites are available first-come, first-served.

GET THERE: Take Golden Gate Transit (either the 4 or 70 bus) to the Almonte Boulevard and Rosemont Avenue stop in Mill Valley. Transfer to the 61 bus, which will drop off right at the campsite.

Rocky Point/Steep Ravine Environmental Campground, on a marine terrace one mile south of Stinson Beach, has seven primitive sites and nine rustic cabins. Each cabin has a small wood stove, picnic table, sleeping platforms and an outdoor barbecue, but no running water.

GET THERE: Take Golden Gate Transit (either the 4 or 70 bus) to the Almonte Boulevard and Rosemont Avenue stop in Mill Valley. Transfer to the 61 bus to the Stinson Beach stop and walk 2 miles to the campsite.

Sky Camp is located on the western side of Mt. Wittenberg at an elevation of 1025 feet. In clear weather, it has a sweeping view of Point Reyes, Drakes Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.

GET THERE: Take Golden Gate Transit (either the 101 or 27 bus) to the San Rafael Transit Center. Transfer to the 68 bus to the Bear Valley Visitor Center stop and walk 5 miles to the campsite.

There are four camping areas on Angel Island, varying from wind-protected facing the East Bay to exposed ridges with SF views to points accessible by kayak only.

GET THERE: The only way to get there is by ferry. Ferry services to Angel Island include Tiburon Ferry, Blue and Gold Ferry, and the East Bay Ferry. You can also bring your own bike (on ferries that allow bikes) or rent one on the island.

Rob Hill Campground, the only overnight campsite in San Francisco, is located at the Presidio’s highest point above Baker Beach amid a eucalyptus grove.

GET THERE: Take the 28, 29, or 43 Muni bus into the Presidio and transfer to the free PresidiGo Presidio Hills Route shuttle. Get off at the Rob Hill Campground stop.

Located in the Tennessee Valley in the north end of the Marin Headlands, Haypress has five sites—and they are free.

GET THERE: Take Golden Gate Transit (either the 4 or 70 bus) to the Almonte Boulevard and Rosemont Avenue stop in Mill Valley. Transfer to the 61 bus to the Shoreline Highway and Pine Hill Road stop and walk two miles to the campsite.

Composed of nearly 978 acres of marshland and rolling, grass-covered hills, this busy park is located along the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, northwest of the cities of Fremont and Newark. It's only available for group camping.

GET THERE: Take BART to Union City, then transfer to the AC Transit 238 Bus. Get off at the Ardenwood Boulevard and Commerce Drive stop, walk roughly a mile to the park.

East Bay residents have a volcano in their backyard, made up of lava and volcanic debris left over from a 10-million-year-old volcano. The Sibley Backpack Camp is a small, primitive hike-in site for a maximum of 15 campers, with views of Mount Diablo, Volmer Peak, and Tilden Park.

GET THERE: Take the AC Transit CB bus to the Mountain Boulevard stop, them walk about 3 miles to the park.