Paradise Found

I'm convinced this is one of the best kept secrets in the Bay Area, and places like this are meant to be shared...

It's only a 40-minute drive outside of the city, yet as soon as I arrived I felt transported. Green hills, rugged coastline, and a touch of whimsy–it's hard not to feel a bit lighter. 

Steep Ravine Campground is one of those special places that will transform your state of mind. If you love nature and the sea, this is your perfect campground. Even if you don't love nature, I'm convinced this will change your mind. And if camping isn't your style, there are also cabins for rent. 

The campground is cleverly hidden so that even driving by on your way to Stinson, you're likely to zip past this spot on highway 1 without knowing that it even exists. The gate is kept locked and a combination is required for access. The steep, curved road then gives way to a seaside cliff overlooking a rugged beach. It's wild, green, and if you're lucky enough to come in the right season, you'll see the lilies in bloom and the hummingbirds fluttering. 

The campsites are spread far enough apart so that you can pretend you have a piece of paradise all to yourself. There are small trails that lead to a stony beach below. Follow the coastline north, and you'll find some magnificent, climbable rock...it's nature's perfect playground.