These Overnight Camps were voted the Bay Area’s 2021 Best of the Best by Bay Area Parent readers. Read the full list of winners here.
San Francisco & Marin
Gold: Camp Tawonga. This camp strives to foster a deep connection to nature, community and Judaism. Near Yosemite National Park. Business office: 131 Steuart St., #460, San Francisco. 415-543-2267. tawonga.org.
Silver: Young Actors’ Theatre Camp. Santa Cruz Mountains. 925-858-3548. campyatc.com/summer-camps.
Bronze: Mountain Camp. Ice House Lake in the El Dorado National Forest. Business office: 1480 Moraga Road, Suite C #392, Moraga. 415-351-2267. mountaincamp.com.
Bronze: YMCA Camp Jones Gulch. 11000 Pescadero Road, La Honda. 650-747-1200. ymcasf.org/locations/ymca-camp-jones-gulch.
Silicon Valley
Gold: Walden West. An outdoor camp that focuses on science and natural environments. Kids learn about nature, survival skills, astronomy and more. 15555 Sanborn Road, Saratoga. 13851 Stevens Canyon Road, Cupertino. 408-573-3050. waldenwest.org/summer.
Silver: Kennolyn Camp. 8400 Glen Haven Road, Soquel. 831-479-6714. kennolyncamps.com.
Bronze: Girl Scouts of Northern California. Multiple locations. 800-447-4475. camp.gsnorcal.org.
East Bay
Gold: Trackers. Kids can gain self-reliance and independence at overnight backcountry camps set in beautiful wilderness locations. 1110 James Place, El Cerrito. 510-575-9444. trackersbay.com.
Silver: Alameda County 4-H Camp (Las Posadas). alameda4hcamp@gmail.com. lasposadas4hcamp.org.
Bronze: Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp. P.O. Box 11013, Oakland. 360-921-5182. cazfamilycamp.org.
Peninsula
Gold: Girl Scouts of Northern California. This camp gives girls an opportunity to unplug, learn new skills, discover their sense of self and test new-found independence in a safe environment. Three facilities around the Bay Area. 800-447-4475. camprocks.org. camp.gsnorcal.org.
Silver: Young Actors’ Theater Camp. Santa Cruz Mountains. 855-462-9282. campyatc.com/summer-camps.
Bronze: San Mateo County 4-H Camp. 1500 Purisima Creek Road, Half Moon Bay. 650-276-7422. ucanr.edu/sites/smsf4h.