5
Campsite #5 at Kirby Cove Campground, CA
$40
Tent Site #5
| Walk-In | 10 people |
| 15 ft | Back-In |
| 3 | good |
11/24
Campsite #5 Features: Walk-In access, Back-In parking, Accessible, Fire ring, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, Tent Site
Campsite Reviews (25)
5.0 out of 5
| 5 star | | 80% |
| 4 star | | 16% |
| 3 star | | 0% |
| 2 star | | 0% |
| 1 star | | 4% |
@GageNB81A387B1 · Camped on Mar 23, 2025 at Campsite #5
Its a very special place to camp, with wonderful views of San Francisco and the huge container ships passing through the golden gate straits.
@DigantJ94A66D4 · Camped on Nov 28, 2024 at Campsite #5
The location is amazing with extravagant view of the Golden Gate bridge and the site is quite spacious as well.
@StanleyTACF897 · Camped on Nov 18, 2024 at Campsite #5
Don't forget to bring water.
@Christoph47204 · Camped on Jul 17, 2024 at Campsite #5
The view of GG at night is breathtaking. This site has been in our bucket list forever, my wife was able to find availability a couple weeks ago, this must've been a cancelled reservation because this campsites are always fully booked 3 month in advance and each time we try or remember to check the site we miss the window of opportunity. My wife and I had a site that was close enough to the cliff overlook to be able to view the Golden Gate Bridge several times. The walk to campsite #5 is not far from the parking lot and is not strenuous either. If your planning to haul any of your "can't do without" camping items know that you will come across a few stair steps on the path but doable, suggest to bring your own wagon haul. We are car campers and we bought backpacking gear including a new 2 person tent just to experience Kirby Cove. This was not a disappointment, The weather was beautiful, not too hot during the day. Site #5 has very little coverage from the glaring sun, this site is out in the open but very spacious for a family. The walk downhill from the cliff to the beach is well maintained, quite a few look out points and on our evening encounters in the camp there were several family of deers, rabbit and late into the evenings a howl of coyote. Such an awesome camping experience so close to the city. The Golden Gate Bridge was magical for us in the evening and just before sunset. Suggest taking your camping chairs and hot coco/coffee and soak in the beauty of the bay at the cliff. The toilet situation ( we bring our own ) and we do this in the event it becomes a disappointment and sure enough it was. We enjoy nature and camping and religiously "Leave No Trace" at all sites & it saddens us that our Food Locker was full of bottles & garbage left for the next person to handle. Some sites are underfunded and may not have enough employees to overlook maintenance, it was our duty to ensure the next person after would find it pristine-your very welcome :).
@JoshuaW2504657 · Camped on May 24, 2024 at Campsite #5
Overall we had a great experience at Kirby Cove. The view was incredible day and night. The individual campsite (#5) was large and felt private, with toilets not too far away. The walk from the parking lot was doable, though should definitely be taken into consideration when transporting your things.Some additional notes. When arriving you navigate to the Battery Spencer overlook parking lot, where you'll find the gate on a sharp right turn off of the main road. The gate has the combination locks (look at the bottom of each lock to input the code). The dirt road down is in pretty good shape, generally wide enough for two cars to pass at certain points. The bottom of the road has some erosion, beware if your car has low clearance. The parking lot at the campground is small, with only about 8-9 cars fitting in the allotted spaces (though there is some additional space off to the sides of the parking area). Finally the racoons are ever present at night, they generally keep their distance from people, but they will go for left out food even if you are in the general area.
@JosephG1100021 · Camped on Mar 10, 2024 at Campsite #5
Amazing views!
@RobinC5286361 · Camped on Oct 30, 2023 at Campsite #5
Excellent stay - amazing view on the bridge at sunset, night and sunrise. I found the instructions to get to the camp are a bit unclear: the code opens the locks on the gate close to Hawk Hill. Don't walk all the way down like us :)
@DanielaRCF3A25 · Camped on Oct 25, 2023 at Campsite #5
Good site! Great hiking up to get a good view of the Golden Gate Bridge & fairly easy to access. HELPFUL TIP: We followed directions along with Maps but failed to execute the Travel downhill on the one-way road until you reach Battery Spencer, and it will be sharp right turn toward the Kirby Cove service gates directions. For our second go around we set a phone towards the site and another phone to Battery Spencer to locate the gate. Its an extremely sharp right turn right before the Battery Spencer View so drive super slowly so you dont miss it like we did!
@DonnaC2645170 · Camped on Jun 12, 2023 at Campsite #5
Beautiful and easy to access but lots of ticks.
@ValeriyZC89EFC · Camped on May 19, 2023 at Campsite #5
Amazing campground if you can get a reservation. So close to the city, but, with only 5 really well spaced out sites, you feel secluded from everyone else. No running water. Bathrooms are clean. Only negative to watch out for: at 1:30am, when the fog rolled in under the Golden Gate, the fog horn started up and was loud enough to impact my sleep. This is probably fairly common, so I would bring ear plugs next time.
@JennieCCA75649 · Camped on May 16, 2023 at Campsite #5
a lovely quiet little known spot close to the city. spectacular views of Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, and the beach. the campsites are roomy and have several picnic tables and a box to lock away food from the critters. I saw many species of birds. Bring water
@SrinivasG47ED4 · Camped on May 15, 2023 at Campsite #5
Except restrooms…. The campground is great.
Bring water … No water available in the ground
Bring water … No water available in the ground
@Andym2723036 · Camped on Apr 24, 2023 at Campsite #5
A hidden gem right next to the bridge. I never would have guessed there was such an expansive, lush space for group camping right under the headland's scenic overlooks I've been to a million times. Nice sounds: lots of wild songbirds making music. Not nice sounds: nonstop foghorns the entire week. Non. Stop. Bring good earplugs!
@TiffanyH634297 · Camped on Oct 20, 2022 at Campsite #5
One of the most spectacular spots in California!
@BenL5424944 · Camped on Oct 19, 2022 at Campsite #5
Went to Kirby Cove with wife and two little ones. It was a unique experience (in a good way) with the feeling of secludedness while also being able to view the gold gate bridge and city skyline without the hustle and bustle. Was tempted to skip my cell phone in the ocean like the Corona commercials. The campsites are numbered and easy to get to. Campsites and facilities were well maintained however it certainly helps to be a good steward and pack out what you pack in.
Other descriptions on parking are somewhat confusing but if you reserve a camp site you are allowed to drive through the gate at the top of the hill and park at in the spaces below. The gate code is emailed separately to you the day before your scheduled time. The gravel road down is a narrow, but well maintained, switchback without any guardrails and their are also day hikers taking the same road so it is best to take your time going down.
We didn’t realize this but you need to print your reservation and place it in your windshield. This acts as your permit to park in the lot below. There are spaces next to each site but are reserved for those with accessibility needs.
Most of this was probably well identified in information on the reservation but I don’t always read instructions thoroughly.
Had a great time and would rank it in the top few places that offer a lot in terms of views and atmosphere while also being very convenient.
Other descriptions on parking are somewhat confusing but if you reserve a camp site you are allowed to drive through the gate at the top of the hill and park at in the spaces below. The gate code is emailed separately to you the day before your scheduled time. The gravel road down is a narrow, but well maintained, switchback without any guardrails and their are also day hikers taking the same road so it is best to take your time going down.
We didn’t realize this but you need to print your reservation and place it in your windshield. This acts as your permit to park in the lot below. There are spaces next to each site but are reserved for those with accessibility needs.
Most of this was probably well identified in information on the reservation but I don’t always read instructions thoroughly.
Had a great time and would rank it in the top few places that offer a lot in terms of views and atmosphere while also being very convenient.
@Anthonie916838 · Camped on Sep 28, 2022 at Campsite #5
Awesome spot, but very basic campground. Only toilets and no water. So make sure you have enough water with you
@LaurenG639 · Camped on Oct 28, 2021 at Campsite #5
Amazing camping experience. Prepare for all weather. It can be sunny and hot then just an hour later foggy and cold.
@TraceyT840 · Camped on Oct 17, 2021 at Campsite #5
During our 2 week car camping trip, we found this location as an option to stay outside of the city while passing through. During our trip, we had camped at very remote locations and are experienced outdoors people. When reserving the site, we found that it was the only one available and seemed like a beautiful spot. Upon arrival, we were initially disappointed that we could not drive to our site. We used the carts available (with flat tires) to haul stuff to site. We noticed one tent set up in the area and all other sites empty. We did however notice, as it was getting dark, that people seemed to be sleeping on the beach. Two individuals walked close to our site and then turned around and went back to the beach without staying anything. We were very uncomfortable with the entire vibe, did not feel safe and decided to not stay there. A decision we both still feel was the correct one. There were also many many many raccoons that were able to open and close the garbage bins. We would have staying with the raccoons if this place didn’t appear to be a prime spot for a horror movie in the making.
@AmyT112 · Camped on Sep 26, 2021 at Campsite #5
Very chill, doable weekday camping! Love being able to just drive in whenever and wake up to a magical view! Bridge was pretty fogged out in the morning but highly recommend taking an evening walk to the beach! Quiet on weeknights.
@YingX701 · Camped on Aug 27, 2021 at Campsite #5
Beautiful place! Be prepared to walk a distance between the car and the campground.
@MichaelM934 · Camped on Aug 3, 2021 at Campsite #5
Such an amazing a beautiful location. This campsite and the area around is simply stunning and it is an absolute treat to have stayed there, it feels like an exclusive club. Outside of the campsite itself, the local hiking and areas to explore make for a great adventure and a wonderful trip.
@TakeshiM974 · Camped on Mar 27, 2021 at Campsite #5
excellent views
@VictoriaT559 · Camped on Mar 22, 2021 at Campsite #5
Very windy this night so it was imperative to use the rope holds which are conveniently located at the corners of the tent pad and skip the rain fly aka the veritable sail. Definitely bring some rope if the forecast includes wind!
As usual, Kirby Cove is beautiful. Saw a deer next to the tent, heard coyotes clearly at 1am, and from the northwesterly wind got to hear for the first time the sounds of the Golden Gate Bridge vibrating at A440 and its other frequencies - with the occasional boat horn, it sounded like a very mellow symphony meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
As usual, Kirby Cove is beautiful. Saw a deer next to the tent, heard coyotes clearly at 1am, and from the northwesterly wind got to hear for the first time the sounds of the Golden Gate Bridge vibrating at A440 and its other frequencies - with the occasional boat horn, it sounded like a very mellow symphony meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
@AshmiW161 · Camped on Mar 21, 2021 at Campsite #5
We had a great stay.
@JohnP705 · Camped on Mar 15, 2021 at Campsite #5
The most beautiful campsite in the Bay Area, absolutely stunning!
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