I think the Bay Area is so urban, that the fringes where one could pitch a tent, are occupied by the homeless. The other safer areas the property owners don't want to be looking at someones tent. I enjoyed my river delta trips. Everyone has their favorite place, but I enjoyed the meadows. It's an area by Wimpies marina. Even boat camping I had three law enforcement encounters. Fourth of July my boat was lit up with a huge spotlight when I was tied to the bank with a stern anchor out. The Coasties politly boarded and inspected my boat. The Sheriffs Dept. stopped me for no dingy numbers, but didn't ticket me.

Lots of people in California wanting to use recreational resources and it seems you need to toe the line, to keep the man happy. I'm up in Alaska now. You can pretty much do what you want up here and nobody cares.