The San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA Resort, owned and operated by Chris and Pauline Wood and family, has been named the 2026 KOA Campground of the Year.
Celebrating more than 50 years of continuous family ownership, the San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA Resort has evolved from an 84-site campground into one of KOA’s top-performing resorts, renowned for its innovative amenities, industry-leading practices, scenic location near Sonoma and Napa wine country, and multigenerational legacy.
On a family road trip to Alaska in the early 1970s, the Wood family stayed at more than a few KOAs along the way. A dream of campground ownership grew on the road, and after a few years of searching, they bought 60 acres in Petaluma. Chris’s father kept his teaching job while his mother ran the campground, welcoming families from the Bay Area and beyond.
Eventually, the next generation took over operations with an eye for improving the bustling campground.
“When we took the campground over from Chris’ parents, we made a decision not to grow out, but to grow up,” said Pauline Wood. “We focused on making the campground truly exceptional.”
Over the decades, the Woods transformed the property from its early days into a 312-site destination resort, adding premium RV sites, luxury lodging, and signature recreational amenities. From redesigned playgrounds and fiber-optic Wi-Fi to themed weekends and a popular on-site food truck, every detail has been thoughtfully curated. Future plans include pickleball courts, expanded 100-foot sites, and an area focused on van-life.
With a guest-focused philosophy, customers rave about this one-of-a-kind KOA. One guest shared, “We’re locals, but when we stay here, it truly feels like a getaway.” Another wrote, “My
grandkids had so much fun, we’ll definitely be back.”
“The San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA Resort exemplifies the spirit of KOA,” said Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA. “The Wood family’s passion for outdoor hospitality and commitment across generations has built something truly extraordinary.”
Now, under the leadership of Chris and Pauline’s children, Caitlin Wood and Tyler Wood, the campground continues to reach new milestones with a third generation. “They’ve broken every record this year,” said Chris. “It’s incredible to see the next generation take what we built and make it even better.”
Just 30 miles north of San Francisco in Sonoma County’s wine country, the campground sits near the coast and is surrounded by 400 wineries, breweries, bike trails, and redwoods. The park attracts families, couples, school groups, and international travelers, many of whom return for generations.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
