RV campgrounds near Lucia, California range from oceanside spots with limited utility connections to fully-equipped parks with 50-amp service. Lucia sits along a remote section of Highway 1, approximately 56 miles south of Monterey. Winter temperatures average 50-60°F while summer brings 65-75°F days, though coastal fog frequently rolls in during mornings.
What to do
Beach access at Kirk Creek: Trek down the bluff to explore the rocky shoreline beneath the campground. "Access to a rocky beach and across the highway a backpackers trail," notes one camper at Kirk Creek Campground.
Hiking Vicente Flat Trail: Find the trailhead directly across from Kirk Creek Campground for an overnight backpacking adventure. A visitor shares, "It's a great starting point for a backpacking trip. I did the following: Day 1: Hike up the Vicente Flat trail from the trailhead on Hwy 1. Hike up to Vicente Flat Camp. Day 2: make the long round trip dayhike to Cone Peak. Day 3: hike back to the trailhead."
Wildlife viewing: Watch for deer, foxes and even wild boar from your campsite at Thousand Trails San Benito. "We had Condors above our cabin, deer around us, wild pigs crossing the roads. Its amazing!!!! My favorite part of our California trip was staying here," reports one visitor.
What campers like
Proximity to Pinnacles National Park: San Benito RV Resort serves as a convenient base for exploring this lesser-known national park. "Good spot to explore Pinnicales National Park. Typical TT resort park off the beaten path, far out but nice place, we enjoyed our stay," notes one camper.
Beach seclusion: The beach near Marina Dunes RV Park offers rare privacy on busy California coastlines. "About a 5 min trek through sand and dunes and you'll find yourself at a beach not many people frequent. On Friday we were the only ones for as far as I could see. No exaggeration."
Night sky viewing: Kirk Creek's unobstructed ocean views mean exceptional stargazing. "There's nothing that can compare to drifting off the sleep on the edge of the earth while gazing up at the milky-way, cut off from the rest of the world," describes a regular visitor.
What you should know
No cell service: Communication blackout affects most Big Sur locations. "You will be quite literally cut off from the world here. You won't find any cell service so turn that phone off when u hit the main road in & enjoy the feeling that comes with uninterrupted connection with nature," explains a Kirk Creek visitor.
Water limitations: Kirk Creek has no running water available. A camper advises, "No running water; bring plenty for washing, drinking, etc. We use a 50 gallon container & find its perfect for a 8-9 day trip with 2 solar showers, lots of hand & dish washing, and dog water refills."
Reservation challenges: Securing a site requires significant advance planning. "The great sites book out VERY quickly. If you want to score you'll need to plan: 1) Use the website, not the call center. 2) Booking windows open 6 months in advance," advises a Kirk Creek regular.
Tips for camping with families
River access for kids: Big Sur Campground & Cabins provides child-friendly water recreation. "Great campground, tucked into the trees. Nice quiet spot right on route 1. The campground has a river running right thru the middle, our campsite was just 10 ft from the river with tubing available for rent and rope swings into the water!"
Family-friendly amenities: Saddle Mountain Ranch offers activities to keep children entertained. "Lots of activities for younger kids. Convenient location, lots of amenities," shares a visitor.
Disconnecting benefits: The lack of connectivity creates family bonding opportunities. "We took my 3 year old camping here and we had the best old fashioned camping trip ever! We didn't have electricity hook up and the 40's we hit over night got a bit chilly but that's what it's all about! There's no cell service, which honestly is the best part!"
Tips from RVers
Steep access roads: RVers report challenging approaches to some campgrounds. "The road in is basically a one lane road. Pray you don't encounter oncoming traffic," warns a visitor to Carmel by the River RV Park.
Site leveling issues: Many spots throughout the area require leveling equipment. A Kirk Creek visitor notes, "The sites are pretty small, and most are on uneven ground which makes rv camping difficult."
Advance bookings essential: Summer demand means planning ahead is critical. The Saddle Mountain Ranch approach presents specific challenges: "First off the road coming to the campground is very steep, could be challenging for some rigs."
