Kirby Cove Campground — Attraction in Sausalito

Beautiful place to Camp if you get a campground and not experience squatters. We were lucky enough to get campsite #2 for the weekend of September 25-27th. Upon arrival and wheel barreling our stuff into our campsite, I notice a Giant Tent already set up with someone wood next to the fire pit and some fishing rods on the bench. We search around and notice a couple sleeping in the tent. We politely woke them up to ask if they had reservations for our campsite. They kept saying that they have reservations till Sunday but they did not have a Printer to print out proof. They also did not have Reception or Battery on their phone to show proof or in their car as required. We offered them a power bank to charge their phone so we can settle this out. The couple pretended to not know what was going on. They asked us to not make a big deal and just camp around them. We told them that we understand if there was a mistake in the system. We just need to clear things up. The couple made it very difficult and we ended up calling the ranger. As soon as we got a hold of the Ranger, they started packing up. The ranger ended up at our campsite and asked if they had reservations. They gave the ranger the same run around about how they don't have receptions and battery. The ranger borrowed our Powerbanked to charge their phone to show proof. The ranger would go back to the couple and ask them to just confessed the truth and if they did, they will get them a new camping spot. The squatter ended up getting rewarded with one of the best camp spots with the ocean view/ golden gate bridge. The ranger gave them a spot that was for Day use only. WIth COVId going on...Day use is CLOSED...giving them the best spot. Is this how things work? Rewarding squatters? Personally, I felt uncomfortable that the couple was still at Camp as they can retaliate and do...

Wow what a place to stay! We were in the coveted site #1. The swing seat is gone, so the ropes were just hanging, kinda sad, but we had no idea site one was so big! It has three tent pads, three tables around the fire pit/bear locker area, and another table at the top of the hill. We had a great time exploring the battery, beach, and surrounding areas.

Some things of note: the tent pads do NOT accommodate a 15’ tent, as the site suggests. We wound up hanging the end of our tent off the pad, and using that area for storage, rather than at the foot of our beds as planned. Also, the ground outside the pads is hard, so be prepared if you think you may go outside it, and bring heavy duty stakes.

The website makes it seem like the fog horn is quite loud, however, none of us (including sensory sensitive kids) thought it loud at all. More present was the Golden Gate Bridge’s singing in the wind. It is not a bad sound though!

Do research and be ready for the season’s weather. Our days were foggy and cool, with a steady offshore breeze. We just bundled up!

Be prepared for camp stove cooking, because some days are spare the air days where campfires are prohibited!

The restrooms were kept clean and the dumpsters were as clean as they could be. Poison oak is prevalent in the unkept areas, so stay safe on the trails.

Overall a great campground, and worth the fight to get a...

Kirby Cove is a fantastic site. We stayed with a Boy Scout troop as well as a Cub Scout pack. I know reservations took a while to get but it was well worth it. Very primitive camping, but the views make it all worth it. There are a few vault toilets through the camp, and no running water. So bring several gallons per person; it goes quick when you consider personal hydration, cooking, fire safety, and sanitation. The winds can pick up at night and in the early morning, so don't forget your tent stakes.

From the parking lot there should be a plastic wheelbarrow belonging to the park, it's useful for moving bulky camping gear to and from your site. If its not around I'd check the other sites to see if someone else has it because it is a lifesaver. Our medium size group used it for several runs back and forth to the car and our 2 sites.

Each site has a spacious bear box that you MUST USE. While setting stuff out on the tables we had a bag of marshmallows stolen by raccoons in the first few minutes. Another mom in our group who was new to camping had some cheese stolen out of her cooler. Cant blame the raccoons though. The boxes are large enough for several grocery bags or a large cooler, so take...