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Big Sur, CA

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Big Sur Campground and Cabins

3.5 (340 reviews)
Open • Open 24 hours

BIG SUR CAMPGROUND AND CABINS · YELP ASSISTANT

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If it's clear you'll see some stars and maybe weird things up there
Jay P.

We stayed here about a long time ago and my wife surprised me with a 3 day getaway recently. There are many options to choose from: tents, RV parking, A-frames, small cabins, and larger cabins. She chose a riverside cabin and this place made such a strong impression we remembered it was right next to the cabin with a loft our friends stayed at the first time we came about a decade ago. There is no cellular signal here so you'll be without internet, the only WiFi available is near the entrance and there is a $20 fee, if you are desperate there are some pockets of reception going south on highway one but we took the opportunity to disconnect and enjoy fire, nature, and each others company instead. You'll know when you get reception because your phone will start going crazy. The riverside cabin had an outdoor pit and indoor wood burning stove so you get fire inside and out, the river is right outside and if you go down at night it's creepy. We loved the clean bedrooms and cozy living room, most of our time indoors was spent in the living room hanging around near the fire. We ate most of our meals at the cabin and it felt private and quiet though there were other people staying next to us, the shower had insane water pressure and flow and it was nice not having to sleep smokey and dirty every night. There are basic kitchen utensils, cups, plates, and pans. I don't know why we expected this but there is no salt or pepper so make sure to bring your own! Firewood is also marked up and we always use more than we think so better to buy from farther away, they provide 1 free bundle and we brought 5 and still ended up using all of it.

Stand up shower
Melissa V.

This campground was perfect for our group of 29 people (12 adults and 17 kids)! Kids ranging from 6-12 years old. There was something to do for everyone. The campground has a playground, basketball court, the creek/river to float down and a swim hole. It was nice to disconnect for a bit (no wifi except near the entrance for a fee). The 2 bed cabin was perfect for our family of four. Definitely recommend staying at this campground when in Big Sur.

Swimming hole at campground
Erica W.

My family and I went for a few nights in our travel trailer and were very impressed! Great amenities such as complimentary daily coffee, free ice, a free bundle of wood, free, hot showers, cute tin souvenir mugs. Such a beautiful, peaceful scenery. Great playground for kids. Not a far drive to visit Carmel, Pebble Beach and so much more. Can't wait to go back.

Bathrooms with showers and soaps
Amber W.

We love Big Sur Campground & Cabins! When you check in you're given two mugs, and a bundle of wood, if you need more they are stocked. $14.00/bundle. They have a small store with the basics, we actually needed a longer hose for our trailer to connect to water and they had one for sale. The staff is helpful and friendly, the restrooms were clean and the showers were stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. The creek was so much fun, we had our own tubes but the campground does have them for use. Very kid friendly atmosphere. You're definitely close to other campers but everyone seemed respectful and the grounds were quiet at night. Big Sur is a very special place and I was shocked at how crowded it's become, but I am happy to share my love for this special place with my child. Oh, they have coffee in the morning! We love this place and continue to camp here when we can.

Cabin 101
Katherine R.

Do not be late on your check-in. If you do, there would be written instructions on where you should go, but you have to come back in the morning to finish your check-in. There is little to no signal in the campgrounds. It's great, especially if you're trying to get away from all the hustle and bustle from the city. By the toll gate, you check in and get your bundle of wood. Any extra is $10. They'll give you a map on how to get around to your spot, but it's pretty easy to navigate in. We received a mini flashlight with 2 mugs for our taking. It's pretty nice to have too. There's free coffee and ice if you need some. We got a cabin that has a kitchen and bathroom. There are some that you can rent just the bed, then you'd have to use the public restrooms or bring your own grill. I've seen other campers with vans and RVs, but you can call them if you need more info about their rules for camper vans. Inside our cabin, the kitchen is fully equipped with plates, utensils, knives, can opener, pots, and pans. There's a microwave and toaster too. By the sink, there was a sponge (not new, unfortunately) with dishwasher soap. There's cold and hot water on both the sink and shower. Trash bins allocated for regular trash and recycles were a nice touch. The refrigerator was a decent size. If you plan yo stay for a couple of days to a week or maybe more, I'd recommend bringing in food to cook. There aren't many places within the area to buy so make sure you bring food and drinks. Our stay was wonderful. You don't hear the vehicles passing by the highway. It's just the sound of the river, the wind and birds, especially on quiet time. Overall, we would go back to this campground. Totally recommend for families or couples for a getaway.

We've been coming here since 2021. Now we got a chance to come as a family of 3. My baby girl enjoyed it so much. She even enjoyed the river. Everything is always perfect. Very neat place. Staff is friendly. Showers are more than you expect for a campsite. Restrooms are cleaned periodically. It's a good thing to have no signal to disconnect from the world and connect with the family but if you really need outside connection there's pay phones like back in the day or just pay for WiFi. My experience is always great. I recommend this place always. I hope to keep coming yearly with my family and make it a tradition.

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2 months ago

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4 months ago

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19 days ago

An amazing place to camp. Beautiful views and great customer service. Definitely recommend to visit and Campout.

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2 years ago

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21 days ago

So great especially for families. Spent Father's Day weekend and it was incredible. Would stay here again!

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11 months ago

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2 years ago

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8 months ago

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

Nice and clean. Perfect getaway for two or more. Services was good and the cabin cozy.

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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1 year ago

No cellphone reception and very small campsites. Close proximity to hike or go to a beach but sites are way too small and too much money.

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Ask the Community - Big Sur Campground and Cabins

Can we go just for the day? Cost?

Big Sur camping/cabin requires reservations. One night is allowed upon availability at the campsite. You cannot do a day trip since reservations are required The one I went to was the Riverside campground & cabin and required a 2-night stay. The… 

Do they allow stand up paddle boards?

Are ESA and Service dogs allowed on the property? Are dogs allowed n RV, Campsite, tent cabins or cabins?

Pets are allowed at this campground.

I keep getting a busy signal when I call. Is there an alternative number or email address to reach this place?

No email that I have ever found. Just the 831-667-2322. Just keep trying!

Is there Wifi for any part or all of the location? How is cell service like T-Mobile?

There isn't any WiFi or cell service at the campground, but you can go a few miles up the road to get WiFi.

Under current early 2021 rules is it ok to have 3 adults and 1 child who are all of the same family share 1 campsite, And is it ok to pitch 2 small to medium sized tents in one campsite?

On their Rates page on the website (bigsurcamp.com) it says there is a "Max occupancy 5 people" which includes children per site. This is not changed for '2021 rules' or any COVID reasons. Many sites will accommodate 2 tents in the site along with… 

Is the playground open right now? (September 2020)

The playground has been open all year. Savvy campers who are also COVID-safety-savvy will wear masks and distance as much as possible in the public/shared areas of the campground like the playground, office/store area and bathrooms.

Can there be dogs?

Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome in the tent and RV sites but are not allowed in the cabins. If you are renting a cabin, you should leave your dog at home because it is not appropriate to leave your dog in your car or chained outside the cabin.

Is there fishing?

Not really. The river is protected and there are very narrow windows of time where you can do catch and release ONLY and only if the river is running at a certain level. Pretty much the answer is 'no'.

Is there WiFi available?

No and reception is bad in the area

5 + occupancies ? What if you have 6 people. And 2 Cars?

Best to get two sites. The person helping you make your reservation on the phone can help you find two sites next to one another or backing one another. Make your reservation as early as possible since you'll want the sites close together.

What time is check in and check out and if I made a reservation do I need to bring a print out?

Check in 12 noon; Check out 11am. You should always have a paper receipt as back up.

Does the tent sites have a grill over the fire pit to bbq?

Yes the do Lucas... awesome place

I've tried calling all day and phone has busy signal. Do they have an email address?

www.bigsurcamp.com

Does anyone know how to contact this campground to make a reservation? We Have tried to call for two days now and can't get through?

Current Phone Hours 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (831) 667-2322

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Review Highlights - Big Sur Campground and Cabins

“The river was low so adults had a hard time using the tubes, but the kids had a blast using them and going down stream.”

Mentioned in 106 reviews

Read more highlights

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

4.4(413 reviews)
1.6 mi

Pfeiffer Beach looks and feels magical and is one of our absolute favorite places to come every…read moreyear. It's where the forest meets the sea and the views are breathtaking Between the huge rock formations, purple sand, and the famous keyhole where you can see the ocean through the rock, it's such a beautiful place. There are also tide pools to explore and we've seen tons of starfish, sea urchins, and other little sea creatures. The everyone loves it :) The beach feels so different from your normal California beach it doesn't feel real.. it's so beautiful. It's definitely one of those places pictures don't do justice AT ALL !! If you're passing through Big Sur this is a MUST stop.. Trust me, you won't regret it Just be prepared for the drive down to the beach. The road is VERY narrow, almost one lane in some areas, and you'll have to move to the side to let other cars pass. There are some tight turns too, so just go slow and pay attention, especially with cars coming the opposite direction. It's a little adventure getting down there but completely worth it!

One of California's bigger and more popular state parks, rightfully so. Not as touristy as Yosemite…read morebut this is on a bigger scale than most other Cali State Parks. I ventured here once before in my early 20s back in my school boy days and felt it was time to see it again with decades worth of a wiser perspective. And I was rewarded in spades. This park is about 30 miles or so south of Carmel on Highway 1, which in my opinion is one of the most glorious stretch of road to drive. Even though it is only 30 miles or so, it still takes almost an hour to travel from Carmel. The road winds around through many curves and undulations so you simply cannot drive freeway speeds here, nor should you want to. Enjoy the views, roll down the window and take in that coastal air, play your favorite tunes and just soak in the moment. Once at the park there are campsites, as well as cabins and even a full service lodge for those that don't want to rough it at all. You are now in mountainous terrain so lots of trees, a big creek and lots of hiking trails. I did a 3 day camp stay and loved it. They keep the park clean, maintain the restrooms and patrol the grounds frequently. Even though they have almost 200 campsites available, they spread it out nice so not everyone is in the same area. I could sometimes hear my neighbors but they were never in my direct view. That is a big plus for me when rating camp sites. People can also just get a day pass and enjoy the trails and creek without having to stay. My camping pass also got me to see a couple other California State Parks nearby on the same trip, so well worth the price of admission. Very lively with animal life which are unfortunately very used to humans. Squirrels and blue jays will not be shy to investigate what they can scavenge so do not leave any food unattended. Upon setting up camp I had a ziplock bag of trail mix on the picnic bench along with the rest of my gear. While I was setting up the tent with me somewhat close by, a stellar jay swooped in and pecked at the bag. It didn't take it but ripped a good hole in the bag. So just a big fyi to keep your food on guard/lock. The big creek runs through many of the sites. Some parts are mellow whilst other parts the water rushes pretty good. I was about 50 yards from the creek so I couldn't see it but I could hear it rolling through the valley. It was very relaxing to hear the cool water rolling downstream, whether at night or waking up at sunrise. And a myriad of birds will contribute with their morning songs, which makes for the best alarm clock. TRUST A little too big for my preference but still beautiful enough that I can revisit every other year. And just outside the park are the California coastline with Highway 1 carving through it. Some of the most breathtaking views Cali has to offer. Pfeiffer thanks for the reacquaintance and the confirmation that you are still indeed one of California's top gems.

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Family Camping September 12-14, 2025

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Family Camping September 12-14, 2025  THE JOY LUCK CLUB

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Family Camping September 12-14, 2025 THE JOY LUCK CLUB

Riverside Campground & Cabins - RV Camp site #33 view facing the entrance

Riverside Campground & Cabins

3.9(209 reviews)
0.1 mi

We had a peaceful stay and really appreciated being surrounded by nature. Our cabin was spacious…read moreand could comfortably fit 4 to 5 people. We could see the river from our window and hear the water at night, which was soothing. When I booked online, I specifically chose the cabin with a kitchenette, private bathroom, and fireplace. The bathroom was nice and clean, but I was a little disappointed that there was only a mini fridge. I was expecting at least a microwave and coffee maker. The bedding looked clean, but it felt a little dated and didn't smell as fresh as I would have expected. Overall, we loved the peaceful surroundings, the river, and relaxing by the fireplace in the evenings. With a few small updates and clearer amenity details, it would be an even better stay.

We booked a cabin recently, received confirmation, and showed up after hours. The campground is…read morenice enough and in a great location, but when we showed up at 9 pm our name was posted on a white board telling us where to go. Our assigned cabin was not made up. No sheets blankets or pillows on the bed, musty/dank smell, refrigerator was on the patio for some strange reason, there was a space heater left running in the kitchen sink, random box of dishes in the corner, and we had zero clue what to do. There was nobody to help us, reception was spotty so we couldn't make a call, and ultimately we left. Clearly this cabin should not have been rented. We drove 45 minutes to a hotel and had to pay $600/night because there were no other options nearby. Worst of all, after emailing the manager about what happened and nicely requesting a refund, we got no response. No apology, no acknowledgment, no refund, nothing. We had to contact the credit card company to reverse the charge. Not good. Not well run. Stay away.

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Riverside Campground & Cabins - Site #6 plus my dorky husband and cute dog

Site #6 plus my dorky husband and cute dog

Riverside Campground & Cabins - Fire pits have bbq grates

Fire pits have bbq grates

Riverside Campground & Cabins - View from cabin 2 fire pit area

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View from cabin 2 fire pit area

Ventana Campground - Outside of glamping tent

Ventana Campground

3.5(217 reviews)
3.4 mi

We stayed at campsite 57 right next to a n active stream with a small waterfall...it was a great…read moreway to sleep at night listening to the stream and the call of a great-horned owl. True , after looking around, that many of the campsites are very close together but its still a pretty canyon with a few old growth redwoods. Our site though had only one neighbor and they were a reasonable distance away. The bathrooms are fantastic. Also, on iur first night we didn't feel like cooking and the Airstream Kiosk served an excellent crispy-cheesy pepperoni pizza...made to order(skip the Ceaser). We were very happy with our campsite-you just have to be selective...this was the third choice after my initial booking the other campsites didn't look as good...

Came here from Monday- Wednesday at their tent camping site. We stayed at campsite #1. This site…read morewas considered a hike in. To get in was a slight incline, slightly steep but there were stairs, so that made the incline slightly easier. Someone mentioned that it was a 0.5 mile hike-in in another review, and it's far less than 0.5 miles. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who maybe doesn't want to get their steps in because you have to climb up and down to use the restroom/shower, but other than that no complaints about this particular hike-in spot. The description of this campsite states that it'll fit a 1-2 person tent. My partner and I managed to fit a 6 person tent. It was a little big to fit in the spot, but we managed. There was a slight slope towards the edge, so we just slept the other way where it was a little more flat. This spot is super secluded, you have a lot of trees covering you. So if you value a little more privacy, it might be good for you. The closest neighbors were downhill at campsite 2 and 3, but it's a good amount of distance away. That being said it's one of the first campsites upon entering, so in the day time you get a good amount of cars passing by. At night, it's super quiet, you can even hear the creek flowing. I haven't gotten this good of sleep in a while. In the morning around 8/9 you have maintenance and cleaners coming around, cleaning the bathrooms and doing other stuff around the campsite. So if you are not an early riser, there's the noise from that. However, I didn't mind that because that gave me reassurance that they actually clean the bathrooms daily. Ventana campground offers hot showers at $2 for 5 mins. If you taken quick showers, 5 minutes is all you really need. I would recommend taking showers before it's too late or super early. There was a guest across the way from us at 54 yelling at the top of his lungs about how the water was cold and how he wasted money on his shower at 5AM. He then proceeded to break the door and break the hand sanitizer off the wall and throw its across the campsite. I'm sure he woke a lot of people up from his little baby temper tantrum. Not sure if it was because spot 1 was surrounded by trees, but we had a lot of little flys?/gnats? Flying around. They went away once we got the fire going and there was smoke. There were also wasps flying around which made it uncomfortable as my partner is allergic. They only came out when food/meat was out and being cooked. Overall, this was a great experience for a first time camper, like myself. The showers and bathrooms were greatly appreciated. They had an airstream that offered drinks and snacks. There was also jenga and cornhole by the airstream. Again, we came during the weekday. It was not that busy and super quiet. There were a lot of spots open. I'm sure the experience would be different on the weekends, with more spots filled. Some of the campsites are really close together so I'm not sure how busy or loud it could get on the weekends with neighbors close by. I went around to scout other campsites for next time. Overall, I would like to come back again and either book the same spot or try a different spot.

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Ventana Campground - Tomahawk

Tomahawk

Ventana Campground - Bathroom with shower.

Bathroom with shower.

Ventana Campground - Inside of glamping tent

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Inside of glamping tent

Kirk Creek Campground

Kirk Creek Campground

4.3(195 reviews)
25.8 mi

This is a terrible campground don't go here. Just kidding this is actually my favorite but I don't…read morewant it to get popular. It's perched in between a sheer cliffside and PCH along a gorgeous stretch of Big Sur. There are absolutely zero amenities. A few clean vault toilets, perhaps a camp host, no water, zero reception, and a gang of racoons eager to pilfer your wares. The surrounding areas have limited stores and are extremely expensive - think $9/gallon for gas pre Hormuz. In return for self-sufficiency, you will be treated to iridescent sunsets, a deep understanding of Kerouacs journey, and the sort of tranquility that pre cursors deep introspection.

Kirk Creek Campground offers one of the most breathtaking coastal views you'll find anywhere in…read moreCalifornia. Waking up right on the cliffs above the ocean is incredible and truly makes the trip worth it. There's no cell service, though newer iPhones with satellite messaging can still send and receive texts if needed. Just be prepared: the campground is very rustic. There's no water, no power, and only basic latrines. At $45 per night, it feels a bit steep considering the lack of amenities, but that's the Recreation.gov rate- and the scenery does soften the sting. If you're driving in, know that Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is not recommended for large vehicles, trailers, or anything that struggles with braking downhill. For larger rigs, Highway 1 is definitely the safer and better option. The surrounding area is amazing, with tons of hikes, beaches, and spots to explore. You can even find local jade along the beaches and in riverbeds, which is a fun bonus. The campground hosts are enthusiastic, friendly, and genuinely helpful- one of the highlights of staying here. The only major downside is the raccoon situation. They go absolutely wild at night- climbing on tables, chairs, coolers, even cars and trailers. They will try to open anything they can, so make sure everything is secured or locked up. It would be great to see the park system address this, because they're definitely a persistent (and bold) nuisance. Overall, Kirk Creek is stunning, quiet, and unforgettable- as long as you're ready for a rustic experience and some energetic nighttime visitors.

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Kirk Creek Campground - Bubbles site 29

Bubbles site 29

Kirk Creek Campground - Fam photo from site 29

Fam photo from site 29

Kirk Creek Campground - Site 29 views

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Site 29 views

Pfeiffer Beach - Outhouses

Pfeiffer Beach

4.5(345 reviews)
2.1 mi

Pfeiffer Beach looks and feels magical and is one of our absolute favorite places to come every…read moreyear. It's where the forest meets the sea and the views are breathtaking Between the huge rock formations, purple sand, and the famous keyhole where you can see the ocean through the rock, it's such a beautiful place. There are also tide pools to explore and we've seen tons of starfish, sea urchins, and other little sea creatures. The everyone loves it :) The beach feels so different from your normal California beach it doesn't feel real.. it's so beautiful. It's definitely one of those places pictures don't do justice AT ALL !! If you're passing through Big Sur this is a MUST stop.. Trust me, you won't regret it Just be prepared for the drive down to the beach. The road is VERY narrow, almost one lane in some areas, and you'll have to move to the side to let other cars pass. There are some tight turns too, so just go slow and pay attention, especially with cars coming the opposite direction. It's a little adventure getting down there but completely worth it! Note: restrooms are not the best .. take wipes/toilet paper, sanitizer

The most famous beach with purple sand, Pfeiffer Beach is located in BIg Sur, requiring a 2 mile…read moredrive down a one-lane road to reach. It also costs $15 to park here. Our family thought it was worth it. Pfeiffer Beach was our eighth and longest stop during our southbound journey on the Cabrillo highway through Big Sur. Access is through Sycamore Canyon Road (one lane) which is extremely easy to miss from the highway. It is a one lane road but has many areas where one can turn off to let oncoming cars pass, though I can imagine when it gets busy how much more difficult it would become. We had left Carmel early in the morning, so it was about 07:48 when we reached the bottom. As we drove down, my wife noticed a lone, empty chair about halfway down. Later we realized that that is where a ranger would sit to tell cars to go back up, once the limited parking lot near the beach got full. The car entrance had yet to be manned, so we paid per vehicle fee via cash in an envelope deposited in a fee drop box. The tear off stub is then displayed on your dash. Later when we were leaving, there were employees manning the area, accepting payment, with credit cards being accepted. The parking is administered by a private company so our America the Beautiful National Park pass did not work here. We were the 2nd car in the lot. There are angled handicap spots, motorcycle parking, and bathrooms (outhouse style) in the parking area. There is definitely more beach space than there are parking spots, so if you are able to get to the beach, one can easily find a secluded spot. Though as the no refund sign warned, there is high winds and blowing sand on the beach so not the best place for a warm, sunny beach day. There are streaks of purple sand along the beach (learned that the purple is caused by garnet powder that washes down from surrounding areas). It made the white sand look like it had dirt spots. I did have time to walk to both ends of the beach, and discovered that at the north end, there are pockets of sand further away from the ocean where the garnet sand is a lot more prevalent. The beach is named after the pioneer, Michael Pfeiffer. Many other places in the area (Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) are named after his descendants. The beach is for day use only, and is open from sunrise to sunset. What's interesting about this is how many reviews are on Yelp for this beach, even though there was no cell service when we went. It clearly shows a lot of Yelpers are coming to this beach, and taking the effort to write about it once they get back to an area that has internet. But there are no reviews for any of the vista points in the surrounding areas. Maybe they aren't being approved by Yelp to be searchable?

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Pfeiffer Beach - Velella velella

Velella velella

Pfeiffer Beach
Pfeiffer Beach

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Limekiln State Park - Best campsite at LimeKiln

Limekiln State Park

4.4(147 reviews)
23.9 mi

This place is terrible, stay away (so I will have less issues trying to book for next time)…read more Joking aside, this place is gorgeous. On the RV side they have two bathrooms and a shower, and it's a short walk to the ocean where a natural stream creates a lagoon on the sand before pouring out into the ocean. I would come here every year if I could get a spot!

I love camping here. It's been years and coming back recently was as magical as always…read more I've only camped in the ocean sites due to having a VW camper van. The other sites are tent camping only. I must say, the ocean sites are very snug and limited in space. If you're looking for a spacious camping site with privacy, you're not going to get here. And not all of the sites are the same size so if you have a trailer and a truck, you're gonna have to really be choosy at which is a site to book. This is right underneath the underpass so you're going to hear road noise. But to be honest, a lot of the sound was drowned out by the nearby stream and the ocean. It was walking distance to what felt like a private beach. Since the last time I've been here it looks like they made a mini dam with the running stream creating a mini swimming cove with crystal clear water. There are no electrical hook ups but the bathroom has running water and hot showers available. The bathrooms can get freaking disgusting from the day use visitors, but they do clean it every morning. And let's not forget the beautiful drive to get here. Magical.

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Limekiln State Park - Facebook.com/DavidPasillasPhoto

Facebook.com/DavidPasillasPhoto

Limekiln State Park - Da Pose

Da Pose

Limekiln State Park - Another Da Pose

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Another Da Pose

Sykes Hot Springs - Hot Spring

Sykes Hot Springs

5.0(1 review)
0.3 mi

At the end of Summer, my friend suggested a backpacking trip to Skyes Hot Springs - 20 miles out…read moreand back with 5380 ft elevation gain. (more challenging than Bright Angel Trail to bottom of Grand Canyon) Arrived at Big Sur Station at 9am. Paid $20 overnight parking fees, used toilet, snapped group photo then began hiking at 9:30. Half hour lunch break at 11:45 Terrace Creek Camp, and finally arrived to Skyes Camp by 3pm. In route to camp, we crossed 7 creeks each way. I was a bit anxious of slipping cuz I had less confidence than I used to. I think it would have been easier and more fun if I had power thr them with momentum. No mosquitoes sightings in mid Nov. Lots of poison oaks along the trail but not overgrown; I wore shorts with no problem, just clouds of dust from our own stompings. Our friend impaled a bunch of splinters from a burr plant. I visited many of our camp neighbors in search of a tweezer; fortunately, the last of the spikes expelled itself in the hot spring waters. Hiking downriver in search of the hot springs was not easy. When located at 5pm, the large tub was occupied, we tested all of the other 3 smaller tubs then settled in at the one on the river level, it was a tight squeeze for 4 people but we sardined to fit. Our inlet source was a water fall from the tub above which some of us used as a shower over our heads. It was a relaxing time with beautiful surroundings and good company. The water was lukewarm with lots of earthy debris, so it does not compare to the numerous fancy Onsens I have visited in Japan. But things are more valuable when it is earned by hard work - the miles, inclines, sun, sweat, dust, creek crossings, obstacles, and heavy pack; great feelings of accomplishment, and endorphins too. It was wise of us to leave the springs at 6pm since sunsets at 6:30. Due to the heavy forest, we were not able to sight the supermoon nor the comet in the night sky. Sleeping with the ripple sounds of the Big Sur River close by was soothing. Our return trip started at 9:30 and ended at the parking lot by 1pm, 4.5 hours was very fast pace. We were eager to celebrate our trip with a lunch in a sit down restaurant, Big Sur Roadhouse. Another great adventure with friends. Treasure memories.

Photos
Sykes Hot Springs - Creek crossing

Creek crossing

Sykes Hot Springs - Camp

Camp

Sykes Hot Springs - Big Sur River

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Big Sur River

Big Sur Campground and Cabins - campgrounds - Updated November 2026

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