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Koa Kampground
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16 reviews for Koa Kampground
I like playing pretend & make believe & therefore, I appreciate KOA Kampground for it's make believe "camping." Sure, technically you are outdoors in a tent (well, they have cabins if you like that better) but you have access to a pool, a hot tub, a convenience store, a kitchen with outlets, clean bathrooms/showers, a rec center (where we played pool & table hockey), movie nights, and a playground. It's more of a resort than real camping, which I like because I'm old & I've paid my camping dues, but I can't help but think that the kids in my fam are missing out on a genuine, get dirty, get uncomfortable camping experience.
As a youngster, I remember having to drive 3-4 hours in the intense heat to go camping, getting almost eaten by mosquitoes, only having a lake with sharp rocks at our feet to swim in & dingy ass bathrooms that look like they belong in a horror movie. It was a survive the elements type of camping, not this manicured, frou frou version of the real thing that we started doing since the new, pampered generation popped up.
The fam bam & I have been here a couple years in a row now & we all really enjoy it because: the campsites are big, the weather is not too hot in the day & not too cold at night, there aren't too many insects/creep crawly things & it's a quick hour drive from SF, where we all reside. You definitely won't be "roughin' it" but you will still have a great outdoors experience.
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KOA is AOK.
We struck out at Bothe Napa Valley for Labor Day and decided to try this place out. Decent experience overall.
Many pluses:
* Tons of kids activities (newish playground, heated pool, inflatable water slide, arcade, petting zoo, ice cream social, hay ride, rentable pedal buggies, karaoke in the rec. hall, movie night)
* Decent adult amenities (free WiFi, hot tub, good general store with OK wine)
* Surprising features (early morning coffee bar with lattes)
* No feeling of price gouging (showers free, ice cream at ice cream social just $2, sno-cones just $2, daily breakfast just $5)
* Relatively clean showers/bathrooms
* Ethnically diverse crowd (we were expecting Abercrombie & Fitch based on other reviews, but got the United Colors of Benetton (well, more like Tar-jzay))
Minuses:
* Different than a federal or state park (no hiking trails, no scenic overlooks -- nothing except the KOA amenities and the nearby Petaluma outlets)
* Tiny campsites (imagine setting up your tent on your 10x20 front lawn and parking your car next to it; and then asking your neighbor to do the same -- on your lawn, not his).
* "Community vibe" (i.e., densely-populated; think state fair)
* Far from real camping (see coffee bar & WiFi, above)
* Water in pool was cloudy/milky (?)
Tips:
* Look on the sitemap and pick your site. Avoid being too close to the Rec Hall. Pick a site on the end of a row to maximize lot size.
* Tent/water/electric sites require converter to run 110V.
* Swim before 5PM; wind picks after that, and exposed body parts freeze
I dunno how to really rate this... we went as a group of ~10 families with younger kids and we had a pretty good time...
They had a lot of activities to keep kids busy, a good pool, relatively clean bathrooms, kozy kabins, a big playground, close to some good restaurants if you don't wanna cook yourself... With a whole bunch of friends it was great.
BUT, we'd never go there just on our own. For an area of the US which is pretty ethnically diverse, the KOA was not. I'm not judging it harshly, but going from San Francisco to here it's hard to notice how different it is in such a short distance. Regardless, I'd like to believe/hope the attitudes of the mainly-white clientele here were more erudite than places in America that are less tolerant. Except for that irritating pudgeball kid that had an IQ of a squirrel... keep drinking that swimming pool water, boy... at least it should curb your appetite...
Sorry, don't mean to offend, but I'm just calling it like I see it, and the demographic just don't jive.
So don't let my 3-star rating scare you off...
Camped at KOA with a party of 37 on 9/28! The rangers were more than accomodating. Since our group was so big, they offered us two spacious lots! We were close to the pool, store, petting zoo, and outdoor theater. They also have a daily itinerary for the activities for the day! I love KOA! The only thing I don't like is the price. A bit expensive, but I guess you pay for the amenities! KOA is definitely the kind of camping for this city girl!!! Whoo hoo! Definitely will camp there again! And yes, I highly recommend the place to all you YELPERS!
i think i finally figured out why they spell "kampground" with a "k" - it's "kind of like camping!"
if your idea of camping is parking your car on the side of the road and then trekking 5 miles to your campsite, with everything you need on your back, and forgoing running water and flushing toilets for days while you hunt and forage for meals (or stick with freeze dried astronaut food), then this isn't the place for you.
if you're new to camping and would like to ease into the outdoor life or prefer to have running water and electricity, then koa is for you!
our first visit to koa was years ago, when the princess was just a toddler and the scout was still a cub scout - it was the first campout for the pack and families. we've been back since several times and while the scout has graduated to "real camping" the fams still enjoys the perks of "kind of camping":
- cabins with outlets and bunk beds for first timers
- campgrounds with fire pits and running water for the tenters
- rv hookups for those with rvs and trailers
PLUS
- communal kitchen with 3 burners and 3 sinks
- several bathrooms with flushing toilets AND hot showers - all relatively clean
- a swimming pool and hot tub
- a convenience store that sells toiletries, pool toys, marshmallows and fixins for smores, ice cream AND booze (something for everyone!)
- an arcade
- a rec hall with daily activities from brunch (for a minimal cost) to bingo to karaoke and movie night
- a petting zoo
- a hayride
- a play park for kiddies
- a doggie park
- superfriendly and accommodating staff
- cheap rates
all of which makes for really cushy "kamping". the bugs and pollen remind you that you're still in the outdoors, but you have the option of grilling your own steak or heading over to cattleman's down the street! (plus the petaluma outlets are closeby too!)
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$50 for a tent site? I think not. I'd rather stay at the Discovery Inn on Silverado for $60.
We have stayed at this KOA two times now. First time was OK, but we thought way too high. At that time it was hot and we were just happy to have a place with electricity and AC.
Second time was just a few days ago and our intention was to go to the town of Napa and stay at their Skyline Wilderness Park which we had visited a few months earlier and liked a LOT. Problem was the driver was tired and we opted to stop sooner on the road. We have a 21 foot RV and paid $62.00 for a site that was not level and the 30 amp was faulty, so went back and asked for a different site. The kids (and I do mean kids) were very nice and polite, but totally clueless when my husband suggested they not let anyone use the site until the electricity was checked. The cable TV had some 30 stations, but no FOX sports or ESPN sports and this was a weekend. We wanted to watch some football games. There were 3 home shopping network channels and no CNN or news channels, but about 3 local public access channels. I never could access the wifi, but did manage to piggyback onto some other wifis within the park. We were near the office and it smelled like a barnyard and lots of flies. It may be a great place for families, but for us old timers, we felt it was not only the most we have ever paid for an RV park, but very disappointing. We were not on a concrete pad, but there were lots not in use, so why the staff did not put us on one of the concrete pads when we asked for a level site is beyond me. Maybe they don't know where those sites are. We did not discover them until we were walking around after being all "hooked up." We would NEVER stay at this park again unless they cut the prices in half.
Great place for family camping. My husband and I went with our friends (they have three kids) and it was the perfect place - big pool, general store within walking distance, clean bathrooms (and, for those looking to be entertained) events galore.
There was an ice cream social at 7pm nightly, hay rides for the kids, pool parties with hula hoop contests, karaoke, etc.
I'm not sure how young 20-somethings that aren't family friendly would do here. I don't think this campground would be the place for them. However we had a great time.
Also, for those of you that have RVs, I know this place is a bit more expensive than other sites, but the additional experience that comes along with it more than makes up for the price. The sewer hookups and water controls made hooking up the RV much easier than some other camp sites.
We had a really great and relaxing weekend at KOA this weekend. Thank you!
This is a great place to stay whether you are from out of town or are local. I know locals who convoy with friends over to the KOA for a weekend camping out in their RVs. The place is like its own little town with a store, playground, a petting zoo, a pool with entertainment during the summer, jumpy house, small water slide, various pancake breakfasts and potluck dinners. It is a safe place to let the kids off leash without having to worry.
...and if you don't like camping or RVing they even have everything from small rustic cabins all the way up to very luxurious cabins with bathrooms and kitchens...you just bring your bedding.
We live just up the road from the Petaluma KOA and go to it for our first trip of the year (to work out the kinks and check to see that we have the "staples" in our tent trailer). It may be 15 minutes away, but we are transported far from home.
The kids love it and the 10-year-old did a review of it on the KiD Adventures travel review website. Check the review out for pictures, video, and a kid's eye view of the KOA: http://www.kidstellit.com
We store our tent trailer there and becoming "regulars". Everyone has always been friendly and helpful.
Good place to go if you are "baby stepping" the whole camping experience. I am not a Ranger Rick by any means but our friends begged us to go with them. I don't like sleeping in a tent especially sleeping outside with the elements.
Anyway, I agreed to go ONLY if there would be showers and a bathroom nearby. Also, I needed full electricity for when I brought my hairdryer to fix my hair. I told them I am not ready (and I'll probably never be) for the "dig your hole to go poop" type camping. Hell no.
We were a large group that needed to be together so KOA put us in the fricken middle of RV heaven. Literally a PATCH of dirt that barely fit our tent. Did I mention that we also faced the General Manager's house????? WTF!
I was almost chuckling when I saw our little dirt patch and my husband unloading the boom box with our ipod on "Bitch Betta Have My Money" playing.... oh, we were not the favorites in KOA.
Why they put us in the middle of RV retirement is beyond me.
Needless to say, the KOA "po po" (buzzing in thier little golf carts) had to come twice to tell us to tone it down - and it was 11:30 pm. I didn't think we were loud but what do we and Jack Daniels know about whispering. We were threatened the next day with an ultimatum - leave or respect the quiet time which starts at 10 pm
Now, no one wants to pack their stuff at midnight - so we played mind games and did silent ESP around the fire. Thank god I was on to drinking wine that night which was a sure "nighty night".
KOA is good for kids. My daughter L.O.V.E.D the pool. There's lots to do such as bike riding, movies, ice cream socials, etc. Just don't come rolling up with a gang of drinking adults and expect to be the place for you. Not that kind of camping. I think next time we'll go to a place with more bow room where no one can hear us scream.
Yup, I'm going camping again. Need to get some use out of our brand new tent and my tent lights.
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I'm an old-school camper, but I have a new van, and I enjoy being able to be self contained. So I want a place that has a shower, electricity and water.
They have a seven day rec schedule, an arcade, a petting farm, hay wagon rides, bike rentals, karaoke, week-long themes, country breakfasts, scavenger hunts, face painting, kids movies, and family movies. They can also arrange for you to go into San Francisco with a tour group, and other fun stuff, if you have any time left.
Be prepared if you decide to try this campground, it attracts families with kids, who love to ride their bikes, and don't pay attention to cars. And there is a lot of noise the closer you are to the pool or the playground. That said, it was nice to have clean individual toilets and showers. It was also fun to go to the G-rated movie, and have an ice cream sundae with everything for $2. Overall, after 10pm the noise level went to less than I have had in some expensive hotels. This place is a keeper.
5 Stars all around!
Yeah it's KOA, but it still proves its worth through the experiences had with friends and family... and it's Kamping witha K ; )
Just a short drive, only about an hour in a half or so, North of San Francisco and you'll find this gem of a campground. KOA is notoriously known for not really being camping since it's fenced in, clean for the most part, paved roads, electricity, fully functional bahtrooms and showers, swimming pool, petting zoo, aracade room, activities, and other anemities. It's like resort camping I should say, hahahaha.
I've come to this particular KOA so many times. I go with my family or friends at least once a year! It's a great place to go to get away from the big city and all the stresses that may come with your day to day life, but yet its so close to home! The staff is always friendly and they help for the most part in anyway they can. Only downside to them is their rent-a-cops for security. Sometimes they take their jobs too seriously and try to act tough or enact too many "rules" on the kids. But overall everyone has fun and we always leave with a good experience.
Side Notes:
-Bring Money! There is a shopping outlet nearby. Only about a 7 minute drive out.
-Sometimes it may smell. They have pigs in the petting zoo, and sometimes there is cows grazing in the open fields. So those things coupled with the warm weather = funky smells.
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I love going "camping" at KOA. It's more like the feel of camping without the roughing it part of it. It's a great family environment and a different opportunity to just hang out and do different activities. It's a good way to get the feeling of leaving the city without actually leaving it.
You can chose to rent out a tent space or a cabin to stay in. The cabins are pretty clean and cozy. You can take a dip in the pool or soak up the sun along poolside. There's a basketball court if you're in the mood to get a game going. There's an arcade equipped with air hockey. They also sell ice cream sundaes in the arcade. Other than that, they have other activities such as movie night or karaoke time. You also can go on a hay ride or see the pigs and other animals at the zoo. The playground keeps the kids entertained as well. There's a convenience store on the premises to buy the essentials like ice, wood, snacks, or s'more ingredients.
The bathrooms are pretty accessible and are acceptably clean for a camping site. There are cleaning stations around the site, where there are sinks conveniently located for you to wash your utensils.
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When I was younger, I'd go camping in the Rockies with my family. I loved it! We'd go up up up, and camp in a remote area with no facilities. It was: pick a spot by the stream, clear the ground, pitch a tent and camp. Wrap a tarp around a trio of trees and hang a trowel and tp for a makeshift latrine. Gather dead fall for firewood. Use baby wipes for hygiene. Hunt or fish. Read, draw, eat, gather more firewood or build bug houses out of rocks, leaves, moss and other items on the forest floor in your spare time. By the time you go back home, you smell like an armpit and look like a Sasquatch.
Then I moved to California and had kids. And I discovered the wonders of KOA Petaluma. This isn't real camping. Well, it is...but, it isn't.
There's a pool and spa and petting zoo and bathrooms with showers. And during the summer, karaoke. There's a little store and hayrides. And an outdoor "Kampers Kitchen" in a gazebo with sinks and electric stoves with complimentary dishwashing liquid, dish racks and sponges and two mini laundromats. Bring your laptop because the ENTIRE camp has wi-fi - for free.
Amidst all this "luxury" is a variety of camping options. You can pitch a tent. You can park your RV and plug in to electricity, gas and cable TV. You can rent a one room mini cabin with cots and a porch swing. Or, you can rent the "lodge" - a single wide trailer with a log cabin exterior.
Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table. It looks remote and forest-y even though a Denny's, I-hop and grocery store are less than 10 minutes away. I was happy about that because last year we ran out of vodka. ( I was willing to rough it, but let's not be ridiculous!)
The people in RVs practically live there. Why not? Your kids can't move back in. No room. Some of them have actual lawns and planted flowers. Others look like faded tin cans, dented and rusting with tacky lawn ornaments.
The campground is open year round, but with the rain and all, I'd recommend bringing in an RV or stay in a Kampers Kabin if you aren't going in the summer. The summer has the best activities. Karaoke on Friday nights, family movies on Saturday nights, live bands on Sundays, tons of kid activities, ice cream socials, and magic shows.
I know, it's fake camping. Even if I was sleeping on the ground for the first night. (We inflated the air mattress on Saturday.) Someone should tell my sore back it's fake camping. I don't think it got the memo.
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Another fun, family oriented KOA. Petting zoo, friendly staff, nice pool area. Kids running everywhere. Ice cream socials. outdoor movies every night. It was cool for the 2 nights I stayed there.