Although there is a 1/4 mile hike from parking to camp sites. Having access close to the beach and forest as well was great.
Easy walk from the parking area with intermittent views of the river. A few stairs but mostly flat. The river along the camp site was dry due to the time of year. Most sites are very exposed, I would bring extra shade for your site if you'll be here in the summer. But a great view of the sky and stars if it's not cloudy. Saw quails and deer around the campground.
Firepits, picnic tables, and food storage boxes at all sites. Bathrooms (with soap!), drinking water, trash and recycling available.
The trail leading out to the coast from the beach was washed out and currently dead ends at the river not too far from the camp site, but you can take the trail out to the beach from the parking area. The purple sand was really cool.
The site has a lot of road noise which was my one complaint. Site was quite windy due to being on the coast.
The beach is socked in with mist even on sunny days most of the year. Little ones might not like the 1 mile flat hike in, but it’s easy and feels very short on the way out. There is a fee but it’s waived if you are staying at pfieffer state park. You do need to cross a small river (knee deep in Early June). No RV’s or Motor homes are allowed in the small parking lot. The lot fills up early on nice days.
Check before you go as when I was there in the spring it was closed... They were doing some upgrade work.
These are walk in sites - not far to walk. All in an open grassy area. Not much shade coverage or privacy so be prepared.
But there is a sweet hike to what I call the secret beach. Wonderful private cove with a river emptying into the Sea. Once i had to wade across the river to get to the beach...other times flow was low and you could rock hop across.
This is a great stop along highway 1 with trails to the ocean. The tent sites are in a nice open field so you see the other campers but most are quiet and respectful. it is possible to share a campsite with others if it's full and you are willing to make friends.
I stayed here a couple times over the past couple of years and every time I absolutely love it. Big Sur is one of my favorite CA stops and this campsite is a perfect place to pitch your tent and enjoy the scenery.
It's a little bit of a walk to the campsite, but there's lots of wind open space and a neighboring trail that leads to the beach. You feel a little more secluded at this campground because it's further from the road as less crowded than others.
I don't remember there being a lot of tree coverage to protect from the sun, but there's some nice spaces to pitch your tent under shade if its hot out.
My wife and I camped here over Memorial Day weekend a few years ago. Weather is great, absolutely amazing hiking along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, great horseback riding tours, and a beautiful little beach! If you're in the area, this is a GREAT campground.
This was once a frequent spot for me. There's a short hike in to the campground and a shorter hike to the beach where you can find a pealing right-hand cobblestone point break. On the right days this wave is epic, but usually it's more of a novelty wave that you'll have all to yourself. But that's not all, comb the beach, fish the rocks, hike the hills, whatever you fancy. First Come, First Serve... get there early.
