Olema Campground sits right on the edge of Point Reyes National Seashore, just north of San Francisco, making it an easy escape when you want coastal access without the drive. We’ve got 65,000 acres of park land and wilderness practically at your doorstep—the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people talk about Marin County the way they do. Hiking trails crisscross through here, and if your dog is up for it, there are routes that take you through grassland and down to dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean.

The area supports some serious wildlife watching. You’ll see elk grazing in the distance, birds of every description, and depending on timing and luck, gray whales migrating along the coast. There’s also kayaking if you want water time without the hiking, and plenty of beach access for dogs who actually want to wade into cold Pacific water (ours did, once).

Point Reyes Station is just a couple miles away in either direction, which means you can grab groceries, hardware supplies, or coffee without leaving the area. The hardware store on the main drag carries basic camping and RV supplies along with sports equipment, and there are decent restaurants scattered through both Olema and Point Reyes Station if cooking at your site isn’t appealing that day. A few shops worth browsing line the streets too—the kind of small-town places that actually have stuff you want rather than the usual gift store fare.

Stop by the campground office when you arrive and the staff can point you toward specific trails that work for your dog’s ability level and give you the current conditions rundown. Cell service out here is spotty, so getting actual local intel before you head out beats relying on apps.