How One Early-Season Campground Preps for Spring

About 10 miles north of San Francisco, Marin RV Park—a family-run operation dating back to the 1950s—has long catered to a diverse population. Some of its guests are first-time RVers who rent rigs and use the park as a trailhead for coastal journeys. Many come from abroad, and some stay at the park for extended periods of time. The small staff prides itself on providing an experience that will appeal to every type of traveler. And while the park is open year-round,  the staff spends the winter months preparing for the busy season—April to October in the Bay Area. 

We chatted with the park’s manager, Tara Odetto, to hear more about the operation and how they prepare for peak travel season in California. 

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. 

Wildsam: Can you tell us a bit about the park’s history and day-to-day operation? 

Tara Odetto: The park was started by the current owner's grandfather, George Bertram. Over the years, ownership has passed through the generations, and the property remains family-owned today. We’re a mom-and-pop shop, with a staff of just seven.  We have a mobile home side as well as an RV Park side. We have 89 sites that can accommodate rigs of various sizes, so we can cater to each guest and get their RV in the right site that fits them and maximizes space. 

We’re in close proximity to San Francisco and walking distance to the ferry and bus that takes you to the city. We get a lot of tourists from South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. They rent RVs in San Francisco or Oakland and tour the West Coast on their holidays. Oftentimes, we’re the first or last stop for RVers.

How do you shift into gear for the busy season?  

TO: We do a lot of projects and upgrades in the winter. We just built a brand new fence and upgraded our bathrooms. Last year, we redid our pool and the surrounding area. In the winter months, we try to do all the stuff that we can’t do when the park is full, like running electrical lines or resurfacing roadways. All that big stuff. 

Read More: 3 Upgrades to Make to Your Rig This Season

We’re unique in that we’re a city campground. We think about what major events will bring people to the city each year—the Super Bowl, the World Cup, those types of things. We spend a lot of time ramping up our social media in the winter based on major events. We have a lot of people who want to come here and tour baseball stadiums, attend basketball games, or just explore the city and wine country.

How do things change when the weather gets warm and more travelers hit the road? 

TO: In past years, we would typically be fully booked for our busy season by February. But one thing we’re seeing ramp up now is last-minute reservations. People are not booking as far ahead as they used to. In the early season, because we have more space available, people will just book one night—but then they get here and realize we’re so close to everything, we’re super safe, and then they stay for the whole week. We can accommodate that in the slower season. But in the busy season, we have someone coming in right after them.”

Can you talk more about your approach to hospitality? 

TO: We work really hard on it. We have old timers who live full-time in their RV. They don’t use travel apps as much, they’re not as tech savvy as younger Europeans that have it all figured out. So we have a lot of conversations. We’ll have people who will come in and ask about the oldest dive bar, where you can have a bonfire on the beach, or what local bakery you can walk to. We’re always balancing between the new and the old and how we can best serve all clientele. 

We also try to help people. We want people to know we’re a small family-run business. We have people here who care about your stay and want you to have a great experience in this area. If you’ve never taken an RV out before, it’s a learning curve. We’re a landing pad where people look after you and can help you hook up your sewer hose for the first time. Being in a big city with a small mom-and-pop feel is something we hope people appreciate.

Read More: Where to Travel This Shoulder Season (Don't Miss These Scenic Spring Drives!)