14 Best pet friendly hotels in San Rafael, CA (2022)

Tara Sosa (Tara Boo)

Been here numerous times over the past maybe 25-ish decades Im now 32 and first started coming here around age 9/10/11 (can’t remember exactly) and first stayed in #10

I have since stayed AT LEAST a handful of times maybe closer to 6ish but don’t remember exact amount of times Anyways it’s a very special place for me and was very healing to come back after my mom unexpectedly passed and also to be able to bring my 4 yr old for his first “camping” experience I’ve only stayed in the cabins in the first row closest to the ocean so I consider myself very lucky for that I’ve stayed in all 4 in front row at least once (so #7,8,9 & 10) 7 and 10 only have 2 cabins on 2 sides vs others (mostly 5) have a cabin surrounding each side This year (Feb 2022) is by far the GREENEST and only time I’ve ever seen the entire hillside around cabins covered in lush green grass as anyone from previous years knows it used to be just dirt/dead grass and not anything like you can see in photos I posted Anywho it’s great for anyone who’s lucky and fast enough to snag a spot The campground seems nice but have never stayed there but it’s easier to book and is only $25/night compared to pricey cabins at $100/night It gets super duper cold here especially at night being it’s location so BE PREPARED EVEN IN SPRING/SUMMER! Wood is avaliable in parking lot for $10 a bundle CASH ONLY, and unless you bring some it completely nesscary for warmth You will need to bring some curtains, blankets, sheets, towels ect to hang on little clips they provide around the windows for privacyit would be rather awkward/awful to not have curtains up IMO Obviously you need some lanterns, candles (flameless prob best if not ones with holders) and/or flashlights or headlamps for when it’s dark cos it gets DARK as there is NO MEANS of any electricity at all on entire camp grounds including host Lots of wildlife and deer in the EARLY AM Saw a dead whale on rocky point beach near campground when I was a kid Overall this place is a slice of heaven but not all may agree but nonetheless so beautiful I would suggest a cabin not so close to others if bringing children or if your party of 5 is going to be loud Quiet hours btwn 10pm & 6am Cabin #5 is almost directly behind I think #9 6 isn’t as close but a bit behind #7 Unfortunately the cabins furthest way from others are the most popular but might be something to keep in mind if you have loud kids/toddlers/babies Def must keep eyes on kids almost 24/7 as inside oven can get super hot to the touch and it’s right next to picnic table Also there are also of huge boulders and rocks to climb over/on to get down to beach but I saw a family with 3-4 toddlers and maybe a 5 yr old go down there and didn’t seem to be super hard for them Can’t think of much else to say or point out just giving tips I think would be helpful for anyone going there Definitely wouldn’t suggest going if your baby/toddlers are screamers and not sure if they will be able to or do fully sleep thru the quiet hours As my 4 yr old started running around and making noise early but thank God it was right around 6 but I still felt bad Anyways be prepared for any situation and don’t bring more than 1 car down leave others across the road from the gate near entrance to steep ravine trail! Which looks amazing but is supposedly crowded but leads to another trail that leads all the way to Stinson!

Ben Needham

On separate occasions in 2020, I stayed at campsites #2 and #6 during the mid-weekI miraculously got a site reservation in early March before the pandemic lockdown hit us In retrospect, this experience feels like a distant dream

The air temperature and skies were perfect I didn’t need a rainfly for my tent And the view of the Farallon Islands was crystal clear for onceAside from the campsites, there’s plenty too see and do in the vicinity such as Red Rock Beach, Steep Ravine Trail, and Stinson BeachI definitely preferred site #2 since it was 1) closer to the ocean; 2) had shade from nearby trees; and 3) while directly against site #3 had an overall better vibe Site #6 is nested amongst low shrubs and therefore has no natural sun cover Plus at night, the raccoons have too many entry points into your site with low cover all around the siteSite #6 is still a good option and worth taking if you’re lucky enough to find an open reservationYou want the experience of being so far and yet so near Steep Ravine is 10/10 would do again and again

Kristopher Hong

Steep Ravine is wonderful There are normal campsites that are $30 a night and the cabins are $100 a night Both are very hard to get reservations for but they’re worth the effort! The cabins are simple with raised wooden platforms for beds

2 two person platforms and 2 single person platforms There’s no electricity or running water but there are bathrooms close by and water spigots Each cabin also has a charcoal grill outside of itThe views are amazing as you’re on the cliffs overlooking the coast You can scramble down over some rocks to get the the beach too I saw some seagulls attacking a crab thereThe Steep Ravine trailhead is across from the entry gate and leads to the Dipsea, Matt Davis and other trailsIf you camp in the sites near the edge, it gets very windy so be sure to pack accordingly!