Lucia, California sits nestled at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains along Highway 1, with elevations ranging from sea level to 1,800 feet at nearby ridge tops. The area experiences a Mediterranean climate with moderate temperatures year-round, though summer fog often blankets coastal campgrounds in the mornings. Winter camping brings seasonal creek flows and greener hillsides, creating different camping experiences than summer's drier conditions.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Hike the 1.5-mile trail at Limekiln State Park Campground to see both historic kilns and falling water. "The park features breathtaking views of the Big Sur Coast, the beauty of the redwoods, the rugged coast and the cultural history of limekilns. Waterfall is pretty and runs to the ocean," notes one camper. The trail is considered easy and family-friendly.
Creek exploration: Wade in the Nacimiento River at various access points. At Ponderosa Campground, "the river is great for wading and supposedly for fishing. There are some swimming holes further up the river (but still in the campground area) as well," according to a visitor. The shallow waters are ideal for children during summer months.
Stargazing: Find open viewing areas away from trees for night sky observation. "It was almost a new moon and the stars at night were gorgeous," reported a camper at Ponderosa. The coastal mountains block some light pollution from larger cities, making for exceptional viewing on clear nights.
What campers like
Camping diversity: Choose between beach or forest settings at a single location. At Limekiln State Park Campground, "We camped up the hill in the Redwood Forrest. There's a great hike up to see the Limekilns with a beautiful waterfall. There's also beach camping and we watched a beautiful sunset," shares one visitor. This dual-environment option is unique to this particular area.
Yurt camping options: Enjoy furnished yurt accommodations at Fernwood Campground & Resort. "We rented a yurt for two nights right on the Big Sur River. My girls had a blast playing in the mud, traversing the meadow and climbing redwoods," describes a camper. Yurt camping near Lucia, California provides a middle ground between tent camping and cabin stays.
Water features: Most campgrounds in the area offer water elements. "We stayed at site #66 in early November. Our site was large and had River access. It was equipped with a picnic table and fire ring with grate," notes a Fernwood camper. Creek and river sounds often mask highway noise at sites closest to roads.
What you should know
Limited services: Many campgrounds have restricted drinking water access. At Ponderosa Campground, a visitor noted "most of the water taps were not operable but the one by the toilet near the entrance did work and was labeled 'non-potable, not for drinking or cooking'." Bringing your own drinking water is recommended for most camping near Lucia.
Reservation timing: Popular sites book far in advance. "Sites are always booked up so don't expect to walk in!" warns a Limekiln visitor. For yurt camping in Lucia, California locations like A Place to Stay in Big Sur, reservations should be made 3-6 months ahead, particularly for their limited three sites.
Campsite spacing: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Ventana Campground is nestled among a gorgeous Redwood forest. However, the campground is part of a resort and although the showers and bathrooms were always very clean it was a very costly campsite. The sites are also pretty close together," reports a camper. Research specific site layouts before booking if privacy is important.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children. At Saddle Mountain Ranch, "Huge pool is heated May to October. Small sauna next to pool currently closed but looks fairly new," notes a visitor. This provides an alternative activity when coastal beaches are too cold or rough for swimming.
Playground options: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment. "Good playground for kids. Foosball, ping pong, corn hole, horseshoes, and other games available," mentions a Saddle Mountain Ranch camper. These amenities can keep children occupied during downtime between outdoor adventures.
Wildlife education: Prepare children for raccoon encounters. "The creek was refreshing and the sounds of the water and owls at night was soothing," shares a Fernwood camper. Teaching children about local wildlife creates educational opportunities while emphasizing the importance of proper food storage.
Tips for RVers
Size limitations: Many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. At Pinnacles Campground, "Some sites are really private and spread out, and others are on top of each other. They all have picnic tables and fire rings with grills, and there was water available." The road access to many coastal campgrounds restricts larger RVs and fifth wheels.
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging. "First off the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs," warns a Saddle Mountain Ranch visitor. Many campgrounds in the Lucia area have narrow, winding access roads with steep grades unsuitable for larger RVs.
Hookup availability: Electric and water options are limited but available. "A lot of the RV sites had electric. And there is water stations throughout. Also a dump station on the way out," reports a Pinnacles camper. Most sites with hookups require reservations months in advance due to limited availability.
