>>Are the Big Sur redwoods right along the road?<<

Yep

>>In a nearby state park?<<

Yep also. On the east side of the road, drive into Pfeiffer State Park & campground (well signed), purchase a day pass, and walk around to admire the redwoods. We've camped there 20 times or so.

Don't miss lunch at Nepenthe - or look around if you don't have time.

Stu Dudley

Thanks Stu. We're finally doing some US travel after spending all our time in Europe. This will make our drive back to San Francisco so much easier and without sacrificing one of the "must sees"

Stu, can I safely assume we don't need a reservation for a day pass?

A little over an hour north of Hearst Castle, stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Take the walkway out toward the ocean to see McWay Falls. Absolutely the most beautiful place! If the parking lot is full, park along the side of the road. You can see beautiful redwoods by taking the hike from the parking lot. You don't have to go far to see some real beauties! We really enjoyed this park more than Pfeiffer Big Sur S.P., but it's all good in the Big Sur area!

>>Stu, can I safely assume we don't need a reservation for a day pass?<<

Yep

The day pass is good for all the State Parks in the area. Pfeiffer Beach (different from Julia Pfeiffer State Park) is a Federal park so it does not honor the day pass. If you go to Julia Pfeiffer first, pick up your day pass there and use it for Pfeiffer State Park (lots of Pfeiffers around Big Sur).

Stu Dudley

Thanks Austin Traveler and Stu again, I feel equipped to tackle this. A twofer even. Should work perfect for us.

What about camping reservations in Big Sur? We´re planning on camping (tent) one night somewhere south of Carmel on 14th June. It´s a thursday night, so not yet weekend.. will the campgrounds be full?

Apparently the tent sites in state parks cannot be reserved in advance, but in private campgrounds they can. Should we book? Would prefer a cheaper and less developed site, so state parks would be better (or?)

This may be helpful: http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/pdf/bigsurguide/BigSurGuide2011-12.pdf

When do you plan to camp? Most CA camgrounds take reservations however there are some that do not require & are first come first serve. But again most require reservations. Try www.reserveamerica.com to check. or you can call:
California State Campgrounds
Reservations 1-800-444-7275
Customer Service 1-800-695-2269

Don't miss a meal or a cocktail at: http://www.ventanainn.com/dining.aspx

Another great choice for seeing redwoods is Henry Cowell state park in Felton. This park is much closer to major highways than Big Basin, so a lot easier to visit. Its only about 7 or so miles from Hwy 1 at Santa Cruz and maybe 5 miles from Hwy 17 at Scotts Valley.

While these are nice Redwoods, to me that aren't nearly impressive as the ones in farther north in CA. FWIW.

I definately would vote for McWay Falls though.

Henry Cowell has old growth groves, which are the big, impressive trees. I don't know if there are any old growth groves in Big Sur - there could be, but I am not aware of any. I think they are pretty much all second growth - after the loggers came through, the forest regenerates itself.

Further north - Humboldt County - the redwoods are indeed magnificent in that there are much larger old growth groves. But since the OP isn't going that far north, my choice would be Henry Cowell.

Deetjen's
River Inn in Big Sur
Ventana Inn (if you have bucks to burn)
find your third eye at Esalen
Lunch at Nepenthe

Yes, I agree with Bull Dog. I LOVE Big Sur, but the trees that I've seen there are just not as gi-normous as those north of the Golden Gate bridge. BUT there will be fewer people.

Have fun.

The Redwood trees by the Pfeiffer Parks are plenty impressive.

And if you are 62 or older - take advantage of the US Parks Senior Pass - and a one time fee of $10 gets you in all the Federal Parks (without having to pay the $25 or so entry fee) and camping is half price - if available.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/pfeiffer-beach-big-sur