Big Sur Camping - which campground for first-timers?
Jul 9th, 2014, 01:41 PM
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Big Sur Camping - which campground for first-timers?
Hi all-
We're a family of 2 adults/2 kids (8 and 11). We have never camped as a family except in platform tents on an overnight rafting trip. I don't think we'll ever do traditional tent camping on our own but I like the idea of a little roughing it in a gorgeous spot so we have a Jucy campervan rental for a weekend in August - comfort camping.
I now need to get a site reservation and need help figuring out which campground is better for us assuming I'll even have any choice - Pfeiffer Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns (McWay waterfall) or Limekiln.
We have driven through Big Sur, but never stopped for hiking, so we're up for all of that.
Thank you and appreciate your time.
We're a family of 2 adults/2 kids (8 and 11). We have never camped as a family except in platform tents on an overnight rafting trip. I don't think we'll ever do traditional tent camping on our own but I like the idea of a little roughing it in a gorgeous spot so we have a Jucy campervan rental for a weekend in August - comfort camping.
I now need to get a site reservation and need help figuring out which campground is better for us assuming I'll even have any choice - Pfeiffer Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns (McWay waterfall) or Limekiln.
We have driven through Big Sur, but never stopped for hiking, so we're up for all of that.
Thank you and appreciate your time.
Jul 9th, 2014, 10:24 PM
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For first timers: Pfeiffer Big Sur, or Limekiln. Both have potable water, nice bathrooms and hot showers. Camp hosts are nice.
Our first camp experience on highway 1 was Kirk Creek, up the road a bit from Limekiln. It still remains one of our best car camping trips. From what I've read recently, the water is no longer potable and the bathrooms may have changed for the worse. They were bad to start with but that's the price you pay for these two HUGE advantages:
1. Many spots are 1st come 1st serve, typically called "walk-in sites". If you get there early on a midweek you may get in.
2. It has by far some of the prettiest scenic views IMO, of the Big Sur shoreline, especially if you're lucky enough to get a 'bluff' site like we did. Outside of that it's perhaps the smallest and ugliest campground along the way. The host can be nasty. You may hate it. Trust me, there are plenty of people who like that you might. They like to keep it a secret.
Just about every site though has views of the Big Sur coastline and that's what it's all about. There is an actual creek (small)that winds around redwoods and dumps into the ocean. It's the camp's saving grace along with the views.
Would I go back? It was rough the first time and will be rougher the next but yes. It was by far the most relaxing time we had. Bring water and baby wipes!
Our first camp experience on highway 1 was Kirk Creek, up the road a bit from Limekiln. It still remains one of our best car camping trips. From what I've read recently, the water is no longer potable and the bathrooms may have changed for the worse. They were bad to start with but that's the price you pay for these two HUGE advantages:
1. Many spots are 1st come 1st serve, typically called "walk-in sites". If you get there early on a midweek you may get in.
2. It has by far some of the prettiest scenic views IMO, of the Big Sur shoreline, especially if you're lucky enough to get a 'bluff' site like we did. Outside of that it's perhaps the smallest and ugliest campground along the way. The host can be nasty. You may hate it. Trust me, there are plenty of people who like that you might. They like to keep it a secret.
Just about every site though has views of the Big Sur coastline and that's what it's all about. There is an actual creek (small)that winds around redwoods and dumps into the ocean. It's the camp's saving grace along with the views.
Would I go back? It was rough the first time and will be rougher the next but yes. It was by far the most relaxing time we had. Bring water and baby wipes!
Jul 10th, 2014, 07:08 AM
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Might still get in. Chances are better on a weekday is all.
Best is to get onto Reserve America and get on a waiting list. Also consider staying nearby but away from Big Sur, like San Simeon.
Plaskett Creek has sites 6, 7 & 8 available as Walk-Up (no reservations) 8/22 - 8/24.
Between the two, Plaskett & Kirk Creek you may get lucky. Have a back-up plan.
Best is to get onto Reserve America and get on a waiting list. Also consider staying nearby but away from Big Sur, like San Simeon.
Plaskett Creek has sites 6, 7 & 8 available as Walk-Up (no reservations) 8/22 - 8/24.
Between the two, Plaskett & Kirk Creek you may get lucky. Have a back-up plan.
Jul 10th, 2014, 08:46 AM
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Too late to pre-book anything. They will need to watch for cancellations and walk-ups.
Don't be so negative Janis. Your picking apart words tells me you're not too experienced at this. I've seen people drive in from San Diego pulling a large trailer on a Friday night with everything booked, drive in early Saturday morning and get a spot at Kirk Creek. They were self-contained as the OP is and spent the night on the side of the road, which you see occasionally. If that stops your heart you're not ready for this.
Here's a secret I didn't want to let out and they may deny it if you call: Pfeiffer Big Sur keeps space # 1 as a walk-up. All these camp grounds are within a 45 minute stretch.
Part of camping is being adventurous and spontaneous. People also like to help out. I helped a young couple get into Kirk Creek by walking it for them (they had a trailer)and finding a spot for them that was available later that day.
We got in ourselves by driving through, noticed a couple loading their ice chest and asked if they were leaving. They were undecided because they paid an additional night. I helped them make their decision by reimbursing them their last night. I think we had the best spot in the campground and one of the better spots along Big Sur. Would never have happened otherwise and I could NEVER have pre-booked that spot. Innovation works.
I've been through huge early booking gyrations only to get next to so many people who have no clue. My best experiences camping is when others, like ourselves, took a chance. There was much more appreciation for nature and neighbors.
Also, they can do the whole drive and see a lot in a day and camp San Simeon, Morro Bay, or a number of spots further south.
Otherwise book a motel. There aren't too many hard-core campers on this site. I use a tent and that sometimes limits me. Self-contained with a camper-van you have more and different options.
Park in my driveway if you like. I live in south SLO county. We do round day trips including hiking around Big Sur and stopping along the way to see and do a lot of other things.
>>We have never camped as a family except in platform tents on an overnight rafting trip. I don't think we'll ever do traditional tent camping on our own but I like the idea of a little roughing it in a gorgeous spot
Don't be so negative Janis. Your picking apart words tells me you're not too experienced at this. I've seen people drive in from San Diego pulling a large trailer on a Friday night with everything booked, drive in early Saturday morning and get a spot at Kirk Creek. They were self-contained as the OP is and spent the night on the side of the road, which you see occasionally. If that stops your heart you're not ready for this.
Here's a secret I didn't want to let out and they may deny it if you call: Pfeiffer Big Sur keeps space # 1 as a walk-up. All these camp grounds are within a 45 minute stretch.
Part of camping is being adventurous and spontaneous. People also like to help out. I helped a young couple get into Kirk Creek by walking it for them (they had a trailer)and finding a spot for them that was available later that day.
We got in ourselves by driving through, noticed a couple loading their ice chest and asked if they were leaving. They were undecided because they paid an additional night. I helped them make their decision by reimbursing them their last night. I think we had the best spot in the campground and one of the better spots along Big Sur. Would never have happened otherwise and I could NEVER have pre-booked that spot. Innovation works.
I've been through huge early booking gyrations only to get next to so many people who have no clue. My best experiences camping is when others, like ourselves, took a chance. There was much more appreciation for nature and neighbors.
Also, they can do the whole drive and see a lot in a day and camp San Simeon, Morro Bay, or a number of spots further south.
Otherwise book a motel. There aren't too many hard-core campers on this site. I use a tent and that sometimes limits me. Self-contained with a camper-van you have more and different options.
Park in my driveway if you like. I live in south SLO county. We do round day trips including hiking around Big Sur and stopping along the way to see and do a lot of other things.
>>We have never camped as a family except in platform tents on an overnight rafting trip. I don't think we'll ever do traditional tent camping on our own but I like the idea of a little roughing it in a gorgeous spot
Jul 13th, 2014, 02:02 PM
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Salinas/Monterey KOA Campground. This is about an hour north, but it is available every weekend in August. Back-in RV site for $40 a day. It might have to do as it looks like everything in Sur is booked solid. Haven't stayed at this particular one but, in general, KOAs are great for first time campers. Staff are helpful, you have a pool, and a store for anything you didn't think of. We don't have Jucy on the East Coast but I saw many on my last cross country trip. I'll definitely book one in the future when I'm out that way.
