We lived on the Monterey Peninsula. On the south side of the peninsula is Carmel. South of Carmel is the Big Sur.
We spent a lot of time in Big Sur. I'll attempt to capture our favorite parts.
Camping
We've gone camping in the Big Sur a few times. Our favorite place is along the water at Kirk Creek.
Kirk Creek Campground is a National Forest campground, but is run by a private contractor.
They do take reservations; however, half of the sites they leave for first-come first-serve.
We arrived on a Tuesday in the summer about 9:30AM. A first drive through didn't reveal any open sites, so we decided to make a stop down in Gorda at the store to pick-up a few supplies. Returning about 10:15 found an open spot.
The Kirk Creek campground does not have running water, so make sure you are prepared for that. You can get water from another campground just a few miles south near Sand Dollar Beach.
The great thing about Kirk Creek is every campsite over looks the ocean.
Our second favorite campground is Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It is located in a red wood stand along the river. Kids enjoyed playing in the river. They also have ranger programs, so we hit up the morning junior ranger program for story time and arts and crafts.
We've camped at Limekiln SP, It is under a bridge and is real narrow. The sites are pretty close together as well. Since we had all our kids, they were able to play with lots of other kids.
There is also camping in the mountains. I've only stayed at the Boy Scout camp, Camp Pico Blanco.
Beaches
Most people like Pfeiffer Beach. Most of the time, it was cold and windy. Not my favorite beach. But it does have an arch and purple sand.
It is tricky to find the first time. It is located 2 miles down a one lane road. To find the road, drive south on CA 1 past the Big Sur Ranger Station. Sycamore Canyon Road is on the right, the sharp turn. If you reach the post office, you've gone too far.
My favorite beach is Sand Dollar Beach. It is day use only. Like most beaches here, there is a steep dropoff to the beach, but it is worth it. There is a cave on the north end of the beach. There is also a sign about the whale migration that marks the location of the USSR.
If we wanted to go to the beach without the long drive, Garrapata SP has a good beach. It isn't marked on the highway, but look for gate 17 or 18. Park on the shoulder of the highway and follow the trail down to the beach.
Always be on the lookout for waves. Sneaker waves can come up on the beach and turn what looked like a great beach spot into the ocean. We've been on the receiving end of one of those and got lucky, but it could have been disastrous.
Food
There are several nice restaurants in Big Sur. I've never eaten at them! I've only eaten at one place down there.
The River Inn is located in the village of Big Sur on the Big Sur River. There is a restaurant there with great food. There is also a gas station (you pay a premium for gas in Big Sur) and a bus that sells ice cream. Behind the inn is a great grassy yard on the river. Kids love to play in that yard and play in the river. There is also a general store with a good selection of supplies and wine.
Other
Wildlife is abundant, but you sometimes have to look for it. Whales while driving were a common site. Keep an eye open for their spout. Deer are common. I did see a California Condor once. It was just below the road and when it took off, its wingspan was larger than a car. I did see its yellow tags, but couldn't make out the number.
There are lots of trails in Big Sur, as much of it is the Los Padres National Forest. One trail I did was the Rocky Ridge and Soberanes Canyon loop. A tough trail that starts along a creek, goes through red woods, then peaks out on a mountain overlooking the Pacific.
The coolest place in Big Sur is Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP. They have a waterfall that drops into the ocean. There is a parking lot, but you have to pay for it. Park along the edge of the highway and follow the trail to the observation area.
The Bixby Bridge is a well known Big Sur landmark. There is a pullout on the north side of it for viewing.
Because parking on the highway is free, you will see lots of cars parked around the state parks. There are also a lot of bicyclists. The road is narrow and the shoulder lacking in most places. Be mindful of them.
We spent a lot of time in Big Sur. I'll attempt to capture our favorite parts.
Camping
We've gone camping in the Big Sur a few times. Our favorite place is along the water at Kirk Creek.
Kirk Creek Campground is a National Forest campground, but is run by a private contractor.
They do take reservations; however, half of the sites they leave for first-come first-serve.
We arrived on a Tuesday in the summer about 9:30AM. A first drive through didn't reveal any open sites, so we decided to make a stop down in Gorda at the store to pick-up a few supplies. Returning about 10:15 found an open spot.
The Kirk Creek campground does not have running water, so make sure you are prepared for that. You can get water from another campground just a few miles south near Sand Dollar Beach.
The great thing about Kirk Creek is every campsite over looks the ocean.
 |
| Beach below Kirk Creek campground |
 |
| Beach below Kirk Creek campground |
 |
| Kirk Creek Campground |
 |
| Sunset from our site at Kirk Creek Campground |
Our second favorite campground is Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It is located in a red wood stand along the river. Kids enjoyed playing in the river. They also have ranger programs, so we hit up the morning junior ranger program for story time and arts and crafts.
We've camped at Limekiln SP, It is under a bridge and is real narrow. The sites are pretty close together as well. Since we had all our kids, they were able to play with lots of other kids.
There is also camping in the mountains. I've only stayed at the Boy Scout camp, Camp Pico Blanco.
Beaches
Most people like Pfeiffer Beach. Most of the time, it was cold and windy. Not my favorite beach. But it does have an arch and purple sand.
It is tricky to find the first time. It is located 2 miles down a one lane road. To find the road, drive south on CA 1 past the Big Sur Ranger Station. Sycamore Canyon Road is on the right, the sharp turn. If you reach the post office, you've gone too far.
 |
| Arch at Pfeiffer Beach |
My favorite beach is Sand Dollar Beach. It is day use only. Like most beaches here, there is a steep dropoff to the beach, but it is worth it. There is a cave on the north end of the beach. There is also a sign about the whale migration that marks the location of the USSR.
 |
| Trail to the beach |
 |
| Trail to the beach |
 |
| Sand Dollar Beach |
If we wanted to go to the beach without the long drive, Garrapata SP has a good beach. It isn't marked on the highway, but look for gate 17 or 18. Park on the shoulder of the highway and follow the trail down to the beach.
Always be on the lookout for waves. Sneaker waves can come up on the beach and turn what looked like a great beach spot into the ocean. We've been on the receiving end of one of those and got lucky, but it could have been disastrous.
Food
There are several nice restaurants in Big Sur. I've never eaten at them! I've only eaten at one place down there.
The River Inn is located in the village of Big Sur on the Big Sur River. There is a restaurant there with great food. There is also a gas station (you pay a premium for gas in Big Sur) and a bus that sells ice cream. Behind the inn is a great grassy yard on the river. Kids love to play in that yard and play in the river. There is also a general store with a good selection of supplies and wine.
Other
Wildlife is abundant, but you sometimes have to look for it. Whales while driving were a common site. Keep an eye open for their spout. Deer are common. I did see a California Condor once. It was just below the road and when it took off, its wingspan was larger than a car. I did see its yellow tags, but couldn't make out the number.
There are lots of trails in Big Sur, as much of it is the Los Padres National Forest. One trail I did was the Rocky Ridge and Soberanes Canyon loop. A tough trail that starts along a creek, goes through red woods, then peaks out on a mountain overlooking the Pacific.
The coolest place in Big Sur is Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP. They have a waterfall that drops into the ocean. There is a parking lot, but you have to pay for it. Park along the edge of the highway and follow the trail to the observation area.
 |
| Cove at Julia Pfeiffer Burns |
 |
| McWay Waterfall |
 |
| McWay Waterfall |
 |
| McWay Waterfall |
The Bixby Bridge is a well known Big Sur landmark. There is a pullout on the north side of it for viewing.
 |
| Bixby Creek Bridge |
Because parking on the highway is free, you will see lots of cars parked around the state parks. There are also a lot of bicyclists. The road is narrow and the shoulder lacking in most places. Be mindful of them.
