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Camping |
Hotels
Big Sur - Sea and Mountains
Along the 90 miles of shoreline where
the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the sea -- between Carmel
and San Simeon -- is the finest coastal drive in all the
United States. This majestic piece of scenery is just
south of Monterey and Carmel. Except for some redwood
lumbering at the turn of the century, Big Sur remained
almost pure wilderness until the Pacific Coast Highway
was built in 1937.
Coastal mists and abundant rainfall provide
a perfect growing environment for the coastal redwoods in
many deep canyons. The spectacular beauty of the rocky
coast, the mountains and forests attract visitors for
sightseeing and scenic driving. There is a good selection
of places to stay including rustic cabins, small motels
and a few luxurious lodges. State parks and the Los
Padres National Forest provide hundreds of camping
spaces while the Ventana Wilderness and Molera
State Park offer walk-in camping.
Small hotels and motels are found along the
Big Sur Coast. Ventana, the famous lodge on the hillside
is a favorite vacation place for many visitors. It has an
excellent restaurant. To check out Big Sur Hotels and
lodges, go here.
What to See & Do
Immediately south of Carmel is a major
attraction, Point Lobos State Reserve. A scuba
diving mecca, the reserve features camping, picnicking,
hiking trails, beach activity and wonderful scenery.
Parks along the route include Andrew
Molera State Park and Pfeiffer-Big Sur State
Park. Both are located in the northern third of the
drive, on either side of the community of Big Sur. Molera
offers day-use activities and walk-in campsites. Guided
trail rides are available from April 1 to November 30.
For information and reservations, call (408) 625-8664.
Spreading over 810 acres, Pfeiffer-Big Sur has 218 camp
sites (without hookups) and a dump station. The park
offers picnicking, hiking, fishing and river-wading.
Nature interpretation programs are held, and nature walks
are conducted by rangers. The Ventana Wilderness
is a large natural area on the mountain, offering hiking
trails and wildlife viewing.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a
small, but no less impressive day-use park located north
of Lucia. This quiet park features picnic tables set
under the redwoods alongside McWay Creek. A trail leads
under the highway bridge to McWay Cove and a waterfall,
which plunges into the ocean. Other things to do include
visiting the Henry Miller Library. The writer and
artist lived in Big Sur, and his books and artwork are on
display every day from 11 am to 5 pm (May through
October), and during the rest of the year on weekends and
by appointment, call 408-667-2574. Big Sur is, of course,
the home of the Esalen Institute, the famed
residential center which focuses on human existence and
potential.
To check out Big Sur Hotels, Motels, and Inns,
including Ventana and Esalen,
Go to our Big Sur Hotels
Page
To check out hotels and inns along
the Big Sur Coast,
go to the Big Sur Hotels
Page
Big Sur Camping
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into nearby
3,000-foot ridges. The park features redwood, tan oak,
madrone, chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops
from granite cliffs into the ocean from the Overlook
Trail. A panoramic view of the ocean and miles of rugged
coastline is available from the higher elevations along
the trails east of Highway 1. The park is 37 miles south
of Carmel on Highway One; 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big
Sur State Park.
Info: (831) 667-2315
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Offering camping (218 sites, no hookups, sanitation
station), picnic tables, hiking & swimming.
has 810 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores,
cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows - plus open
meadows. Wildlife includes wild boars, raccoons, skunks,
and birds, such as water ouzels and belted kingfishers.
Hikers can enjoy the many scenic loops, including a
self-guided nature loop. Valley View Trail provides
spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Big Sur
Valley. Campsites are along the Big Sur River. The Big
Sur Lodge operates room and cabin accommodations. The
park is located 26 miles south of Carmel on Highway
One.
Info: (800) 444-7275
Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera State Park is a walk in campground. Park
the car & walk a third of a mile to the camping area
with 24 sites in a meadow. Containing 4,800 acres, The
Big Sur River runs through the park. Miles of trails wind
through meadows, beaches and hilltops. A primitive trail
camp, popular with hikers and bikers, is located
approximately one third mile from the parking area. The
area is still relatively undeveloped and offers great
hiking opportunities as well as fishing and beachcombing.
Reservations opn a first-come first-served basis.
The park is located 20 miles south of Carmel on Highway
One.
Info: (831) 667-2315
Big Sur Campground & Cabins
Year-round family camping in the redwoods trees along the
Big Sur River. Store, laundry, playground &
basketball court. Inner tubing on the river. Tent camping
with hot showers. RV camping with water & electric
hook-ups as well as a dump station.
Big Sur Campground and Cabins has 81 sites with water,
sewer and electricity. 36 pull through sites. Hot
showers, telephone, fishing (Nov.-Feb.), beach and trail
access within 10 minute drive.
Tenters Welcome. Rental Accommodations.
Reservations accepted. Open all year. RV sites (up to 8
tons)
Info: (831) 667-2322
Limekiln State Park
33 developed sites are situated on 716-acres in the
southjern part of the Big Sur coast.. The park features
great views of the Big Sur Coast. Iy's located 56 miles
south of Carmel, off Highway One; two miles south of
Lucia. Info: (831) 667-2403
Plaskett Creek Campground
A Forest Service campground, with 44 Sites. Summer &
winter., Hike & bike camp. Group site reservations.
Info: (877) 444-6777 or (805) 434-1996
Ventana Campground
This is a private campground at Ventana Lodge, Sst in a
40-acre redwood grove and located in a secluded redwood
lined canyon along Post Creek. There are 80 campsites
situated on the canyon floor and in various side canyons
and along the ridges. Each site is unique and is complete
with a picnic table, adjustable fire ring, and drinking
water is near all sites. In addition, the campground has
three bath houses with hot showers and is heavily
forested with coast redwood trees. Located 28 miles south
of Carmel and 65 miles north of Hearst, San Simeon.
Info: (831) 667-2712
© 1997/2005 - Fraser Bridges
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