Big Sur Camping: the Other Side of California

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Firstly, what is Big Sur, and where exactly is it located? This mountainous coastal region in Central California is approximately bordered by Carmel Highlands in the north and the Santa Lucia Mountains in the west. This undeveloped area instinct with natural beauty has several protected areas: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Limekiln State Park. These are extremely popular among tourists who go camping, hiking, or simply do nothing. Therefore, several rules have been established to regulate how people spend their time at one of the state parks. Summer holiday in a place like Big Sur is surely an excellent option, which, however, requires thorough preparation. In order to be ready to have your adventure when the season comes, we suggest learning the staples of Big Sur camping now – read our article about Big Sur camping sites and their rules.

Information on Reservation

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Camping reservations are accepted up to six months in advance and can be made through the website www.reservecalifornia.com. Cancellations must be made at least two weeks prior to arrival, or a fee will be charged (the cost differs from one camping trip to another).

Information on Weather

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The weather in the Big Sur region tends to be changeable. It can be cool even in the summer, and the mornings are often foggy. Typical temperatures range from 50 to 70 F (10 to 21 C) in the summer and 30 to 50 F (-1 to 10 C) in the winter. Therefore, it is recommended to wear layered clothing.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

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- 26 mi (42 km) south of Carmel on Highway 1
The park’s premises lay on the slopes of the Santa Lucia Mountains, which are grown with great redwood forests. The territory is intersected by the Big Sur River, which offers lots of recreational activities. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park boasts several hundred miles of trails adjoining those located in the Ventana Wilderness, a part of the immense Los Padres National Forest. Here, you can climb the Oak Grove trail, from where the gorgeous view of Big Sur Valley greets.

Andrew Molera State Park

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- 20 mi (32 km) south of Carmel on Highway 1
Compared to other Big Sur state parks, Andrew Molera is relatively undeveloped. Its rugged scenery allows visitors to admire the breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. One of its parts is the California Otter State Game Refuge, which possesses an incredible underwater section. Hiking trails are aplenty, leading you through meadows, hilltops, beaches, and bluffs.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

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- 37 mi (59 km) south of Carmel on Highway 1
The park is named after a pioneer woman who lived in the Big Sur country at the end of the 19th century and was the first to run an inn in the area. The coast also adjoins the waters of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. There are 3,000-ft ridges in the park featuring fantastic panoramic views over the rugged coastline. The Ewoldsen Trail leads you to a striking 60-foot waterfall plunging onto the beach. Note that some areas, such as Saddle Rock and McWay Falls, are closed due to hazardousness; pay attention to fenced boundaries.

Limekiln State Park

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- 56 mi (90 km) south of Carmel, 2 mi (3 km) south of Lucia on Highway 1
Limekiln State Park’s 700 acres stretch from head-spinning redwood forests to the Pacific Ocean’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, adjoining the Ventana Wilderness. The park derives its name from Limekiln Creek flowing through the territory, which in its part derives its name from four large historic kilns along the creek’s west fork. By following the Falls Trail, you arrive at the amazing 100-ft waterfall, and on Limekiln Trail, you can witness the furnaces once used for producing mortar for San Francisco’s brick buildings.

Precautions and Rules by Big Sur Camping

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Keep off coastal cliffs and walls; don’t try to climb them
Exercise caution while on the beach because of high waves and strong currents
If you bring a pet, always keep it on a six-foot leash and don’t let it leave the road; on trails, only service animals are allowed
Fires must be contained within a fire ring; it is prohibited to gather wood – it is sold at the entry kiosk
Don’t move or take away any natural objects, including plants, animals, and artefacts
Hunting and any weapons are prohibited
Don’t feed wildlife, store food and trash out of their reach
Don’t nail anything to the trees – hammocks, clotheslines, slacklines, etc.
Outside the campground area, always stay on a trail
Failure to do so may result in encounters with poison oak, a plant that causes itchy rash
No bicycles on hiking trails
Quiet time is from 10 PM to 8 AM
Music must not be audible beyond your campsite at any time
Maximum two vehicles per site (including towed ones)
All vehicles must be registered and have a valid parking pass
The speed limit is 10 mph (16 kmh)
Maximum six people per campsite

Accommodation Options in Big Sur, California

For reference, let’s review three Big Sur campgrounds – Big Sur and Riverside Campground & Cabins, plus Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park’s camping. They all offer RV sites, campsites, and cabins of different capacities.

	Big Sur	Riverside	Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
RV and tent sites	Trailers and motorhomes up to 40 ft in length, host up to 5 people Each occupant beyond 2 costs additional $5 per night Second vehicle costs $15 per night (available not for all the sites) Children under 4 years stay for free	30 sites Trailers and motorhomes up to 30 ft in length, host up to 5 people Single vehicle Children under 5 years stay for free	189 sites Standard site: $50 per night Premium site: $60 per night Second vehicle: $10 per night During peak season, a maximum stay limit is 7 consecutive nights The maximum length of stay per year is 30 days
Campsite amenities	Picnic table, fire pit, water and electric hookups (20 Amp), central dump station	Picnic table, fire pit, water and electric hookups (20 Amp)	Fire pit, picnic table
Cabins’ variety	1 bed, futon pull-out 1 bed, 1 pull-out, kitchen 1 bed, 1 bath, ½ kitchen 2 beds, 1 bath, ½ kitchen 3 beds, 1 bath, kitchen 3 beds, 1 bath, 2 kitchens 3 beds 2 beds, ½ kitchen 1 beds, shared bathhouse	2 beds, 1 bath – 5 1 bed, ½ bath – 1 3 beds, 1 bath – 1 2 beds, shared bathhouse – 3 1 bed, shared bathhouse – 1 1 bed, 1 bath – 1	One cabin: $75 per night Sleeps six persons
Cabin amenities	Kitchen (stove, refrigerator, microwave), fireplace (in 2 bedroom cabins), organic mattress pads, linens, duvet covers, wool blankets, private bathroom with clean beauty products One-bedroom unit: queen-size inner-spring futon for an extra bed	Outdoor stone fireplace, kitchen, microwave, small fridge	One full bed, one twin bunk bed, bedding is not included No electricity, heat, running water, bathroom or kitchen Cabin site: picnic table, fire ring
Pet fee (per pet, per night)	$5 per night Pets are not allowed at any cabin	$5 for RV and campsites $30 for cabins, pets not allowed in the Studio Cabin
Park amenities	Playground, camp store, river tubing, swimming hole, basketball court, firewood store, options for wellness activities and stargazing, Wi-Fi, coffee/tea mugs, laundry facilities	Camp store, firewood store, bathhouse, sewer hookup, dump station, laundry facilities	Campfire Centre that features evening programmes Fresh water, hot showers (token-operated), toilets, dump station (no charge)

Summing Up

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Big Sur is a magnificent place for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, families and friends looking to gather together, and basically, anyone who’d like to take up a new outdoor activity, such as hiking, or simply admire California’s wild beauty. If you consent to comply with some rules and deny yourself some mod cons for a time, you’re likely to have an amazing time at Big Sur – “the greatest meeting of land and sea”.

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