Pier Wharf at Golden Gate | Informal Campsite

September 10th, 2022 by roadsunknown

Parked here without issue about 10 months ago for 4 nights (Sunday-Thursday). Returned to the spot this week and parked successfully on a Saturday night just before 9pm and it was quite busy with the nearby yacht club bar hosting a private party. Left the next morning at 8:30am and returned by 7pm (Sunday). Around 10pm, a park officer on patrol drove by and over the loud speaker declared no camping overnight and suggested an alternative spot (the Rest Area nearby). The officer did not stop. There were 3 vans at the time and we all left. The next day we returned to work during the day (Monday) in the larger gravel parking lot nearby that is directly in front of the water. We had no plans to stay the night, however, around 9pm two park officers parked near the van and one approached to inform us there was no overnight camping allowed. She was friendly and we explained we understood the rules and we would be leaving soon, around 10pm. We also informed the officer we would be returning the next day and she acknowledged. We returned the following day (Tuesday) as planned and just before 7pm, an officer stopped and approached the van, this time knocking loudly. She asked who else was in the vehicle, asked to open the side door for a safety check (after I asked why), and for ID (I obliged). As standard procedure, she ran the ID and explained she was going to ticket us as we had camped overnight. We had not and explained the previous conversation with her colleague, that we had left and returned as promised. She did not believe us saying we were parked in the same spot (which we were, oops) and thus we must have never left. She also claimed the tires had been marked but I could find no markings and the ground is gravel so unsure how that would be visible 22 hours later. I offered to show her proof that we had moved via Google Maps timeline history and after review, she said she would not issue us a ticket. The ID check was clean, as expected, and she went on her way. During the conversation, she also pointed out iOverlander specifically as the only app that does not have this place marked as "closed". The parks officer was professional, but interrogative. Take what you will from the story. The spot is great with an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge but overnight campers are not officially welcome.

May 18th, 2022 by Nurse Nomadic

Passed through here moments ago and there are no signs prohibiting overnight parking / camping. park Ranger was nearby and didn't blink an eye at us in our camper. Decided not to risk it after all and just camp at the Vista Point / H. Dana Bowers rest area but thought I should update that there are no signs.

July 30th, 2019 by kevin

**NO OVERNIGHT ENFORCED**

Law enforcement was making sweeps throughout the day, recording license plates and speaking to the owners of vehicles which look like they may provide overnight shelter (hatchbacks, vans, SUVs, etc).

July 28th, 2019 by gigiortiz88

We have used this spot many times.. but last night was the first time we and a few other vans were told there is no overnight parking and asked to leave by park patrol.

July 23rd, 2019 by stormeframe

AMAZING location! We were there 9pm-9am and nobody bothered us! We took the dog for a walk and the county worker came to empty the trash and he didn’t say anything. About 10 other vans and 1 RV parked there with us. Quiet, off the road, beautiful night and morning view of the Golden Gate.

May 20th, 2019 by Ti-Gus

For smaller vehicles only. You need to fit in a normal parking space.

We spent the night there and it was really quiet. We were 5 or 6 vans.
Amazing view on the bridge, obviously.

April 30th, 2019 by karashirl

Amazing spot, very quiet and no one bothered me. Please remember to pick up your trash and maybe even someone else’s :-) Someone was just throwing dirty kleenexes and wipes out of their van window. Let’s not ruin this amazing spot we have.

April 28th, 2019 by salatfuzzi

Okay with our 22ft RV (Note: sign „no RVs“)
Quiet, only a few other vans and cars.

March 24th, 2019 by samcondie

Parked here overnight in a compact rental RV. No problems at all!! Beautiful views of the bridge and back towards San Fran. Just pull up, don’t be super obvious ie run a generator, pull out the camp chairs and you should be sweet!

March 20th, 2019 by rhysandnatalia

great spot with a fantastic view of the bridge. We stayed here for 2 nights (not in a row) and it is very quiet. no water or other facilities to speak of, the view is worth it though.

February 17th, 2019 by roamingroloffs

Great spot. No signs prohibiting parking. Very quiet with amazing view of Golden Gate. Only 1 or 2 other vans parked overnight with us and a nice trail to walk in the morning.

January 8th, 2019 by val0155

really god spot with a view. really quiet. and completly alone. if its windy its really dricky to stay there. anyway i really recommand this place. specialy for foreign car for who the golden gate bridge is free

October 12th, 2018 by grace.koelma

We drove through with our 25ft rig and the spots were all too small. There is also a sign that says no RVs as you enter the road.

September 29th, 2018 by joris.jeannelle

nice view over the golden gate. the foghorn is super loud but with hearplugs it was not to bad.

August 16th, 2018 by bustrekkin

Pulled in late last night. One rv and one van with a roof top tent in the area. Quiet, no issues. Great spot if you keep a low profile.

August 9th, 2018 by viviane.eliot

perfect place, nobody bother us, no no overnight sign

July 22nd, 2018 by jakelandon11

Good spot to stay for the night. Was very cautious looking around for state troopers or someone that would bother me but no one appeared. Had a couple camped next to me in a bright green van that had advertisement all of over it that it was being used as a camper and still no one came up. In the morning there was some chatter outside from what seemed to be sailors and tourists started showing up around 9am.

January 10th, 2018 by rodelente

Boat parking area with amazing view on golden gate.
Much quiet than vista point.
Slept one night