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.

Site 29! Had a great stay here. Stayed April 7th and 8th. First day and night were clear and we…read morewere able to see so many stars at night. As far as the campsite it self, i was a little scared that it would be too sloped, but it wasnt bad at all. We used a tent and set it up on the left side and kept the table/bench in the middle. We still had awesome views of the water. Everything was so green it looked like it was a filtered photograph. You could see the vault bathroom from our site but we couldn't smell it. The smell was very prominent though around the area where the host was staying. Bring a bucket, diapers (to soak up the pee), and thick plastic bags if you dont want to use their vault bathrooms. We didnt encounter any raccoons personally, but did see their prints all over our cooler (locked) and table in the mornings. We saw a groundhog and it spent an hour digging up a hole. Firewood was $15 a bundle. we have verizon for our cell service and had no signal at all. It actually went out about 20 miles before arriving to the campground. We were able to use the satellite option on our phones to send out a couple of text messages. Wish we lived closer cause the drive from Orange County was long. Enjoy the photos

Clean, well maintained campground. Nice camp store. Free showers with shampoo etc. Lots of rabbits…read moreand deer. We really enjoyed our stay.

We drove 100 minutes to the campground. The signage was clear. Set up the chairs and lights…read more Fine, there's a big ant hill where the tent would go, and sure, there's a bee and some flies who want our food- that's a given. But, a path led from the bathrooms INTO my spot (#74) so that was really lame. The noise at 9pm was like Bourbon Street, unnecessarily loud people echoing through the canyon, and no campfires were allowed. The only wild turkeys we saw were the bottles on the partiers next to us. We drove 100 minutes back home rather than stay.

We had a privilege of going on a " Path of the Padres" guided tour here at Los Banos Creek…read moreReservoir on 2/25/2018 Sunday. There's no exit from 152 or I-5 to get to the reservoir , you'd have to drive to Volta Rd , then on to Canyon Rd to get to the boat launching area. A little winding but not too bad. A beautiful lake full of wildlife , while we were riding on a tour boat we saw a couple of ospreys , deer, koots, herriers , red-tails ( hawks). While we hiked our 9 -mile trail , we saw tons of cows, footprints of raccoons and deer, coyote scats . Bobcats and mountain lions been spotted here also. We learned history of Yokuts Indians , saw a could of acorn grinding holes on a rock, learned about the native plants such as wild cucumbers, Willow , dark blue elderberry trees and how the Yokuts Indians used to use them for medicinal purposes. We were welcomed by the nice cool breeze and the warm sun while we hiked but it was freezing cold while sitting in a boat. Luckily , we were prepared and had our down jackets , scarves and gloves. The tour is guided by two extremely knowledgeable and friendly park rangers. Richard has 14 year of experience in this area and very knowledgeable about the Yokuts Indian and the history of California. Nathan is a very skilled boat operator and friendly, skilled outdoor ranger. They made this experience much more memorable and fun. We hike an extra mile and a half to see the abandoned barn and houses by Basque immigrants. Old abandoned barns were pictureristique . It was fun watching the cows grazing up close and walk away as we approached them. Two of the ospreys we saw were so beautiful and majestic. They were perched proudly on the tree branches. Some area of the trail are very steep , narrow and slippery. We had to do some creek and river crossings. I wouldn't recommend it for small children but they do offer school trips there. Overall, a great outdoor experience of hiking , learning and a boat riding. $20 per person for the tour and you have to register through California State Park website. Tours only offered on the weekends during end of February to April.

Oct 2021 I stopped by the reservoir to fly RC Gliders. Jorge the ranger was very helpful letting…read moreme know where to go, unlocking the gate and welcoming this first timer to the park. Had a great time flying my Pittbull fully ballasted the first day in 15 + mph winds till sunset. Next day the lift wasn't so good, but I had a great time flying other planes. I told my other RC Glider buddies and they are stoked to make a trip up. Talking with Jorge and knowing this great park is so welcoming to RC Glider and RC planes, I will sure plan another trip out here in 2022.

My recommendation: go during the week. On a whim, I drove down Friday day and secured a last…read moreminute cancellation on a site. The first thing to know is that the facilities were...interesting. Apparently, roots have invaded the water pipes, which meant there was no functioning flush toilets or showers. Portable toilets had been brought in as a substitute. Unfortunately, these particular portables appeared to have been cleaned sometime during the Biden administration. Still, the campsite location itself was pleasant enough, and the day-use beach is only a minute or so from the campsites. It sits right on the Arroyo Seco River. Sounds wonderful, right? Well... then there are the crowds. Oh, the crowds. Friday the day-use area brought together people from very different backgrounds, lifestyles, and social environments. I genuinely appreciate diversity, and people are obviously entitled to enjoy the outdoors however they choose, but there's a difference between appreciating diversity and being completely comfortable with every choice being made around you. During my visit, there was always the smell of smoking, plenty of drinking, loud music, and a few too many people whose tattoo affiliations suggested a world considerably different from mine. None of that is inherently a problem, but at one point, I was sitting there staring off into the distance with local East Bay rap coming in one ear and sierreño con tuba coming in the other, imagining answers to the inevitable, "What are you staring at?" conversation. Beautiful scenery. Questionable relaxation. Then Friday night arrived, and apparently the campground had decided that sleep was optional. But before the DJs started, the daytime bugs had already made enjoying the campsite a challenge. The flying insects and yellowjackets were so persistent that sitting outside, especially trying to eat, wasn't really manageable. I eventually had to sequester myself inside the screened porch of my tent and wait until a little after sunset before I could comfortably sit outside again. And then, just when the bugs finally gave me a break, the campground decided it was time for the evening entertainment. Different DJs started providing the soundtrack from various campsites, so apparently sleep was optional too. Let's just say I didn't feel particularly bad making some extra noise breaking down my tent and starting my car at 7:00 AM the next morning. Then by 9:00 AM Saturday morning, the parking lot at the day use section was already closed. That's when the Gorge Trail experience began. The trail had been invaded by what appeared to be a small army of REI urban hikers carrying floaties, pool noodles, backpack coolers, and enough recreational equipment to suggest they were preparing for a river-based festival rather than a hike into the wilderness. To be fair, the swimming holes themselves are fantastic. Getting to them, however, apparently requires a minor in mountaineering. There are ropes dangling down the sides of the hills to help with the climb down, and back up after you've exhausted yourself being in the sun all day swimming. And yet, despite the crowds, questionable plumbing, late-night DJs, mountaineering requirements, and the occasional feeling that I had wandered onto the set of a reality show I didn't audition for, the place itself, without the people, is ruggedly gorgeous and genuinely fun. On a final positive note: the person working the gate was super helpful and friendly. Definitely appreciated that!

I stayed in the primitive campground, it was not terrible-- the name primitive should suggest that…read morethere are no fancy amenities. My rating is mostly for the primitive area. The campground is well shaded. It is above a stagnant pond, so expect many flies and mosquitoes. Bugs do not bother me too much, but having flies constantly buzzing in my face and ears did start to get old. The restroom is an outhouse, and there is only one potable water spigot for the whole primitive campground. There are no showers, or sinks for this area. This area is also really dusty. There is a $20 fee for extra vehicles. Absolutely no service, I would bring walkie talkies for communication. The river/day use section: it is $10 to park, separate from camping fees. This area was really fun for my kids and family. We camped in mid-July, so it was quite hot in the 100s. The river was very comfortable to swim in, it looks decently clean and does not have a swift current. The deepest section I found was probably 6ft deep, but I could stand in most areas. The day use area was packed when I went and all BBQ grills are first come/first serve. Dogs appeared to be welcome. Staff: very friendly and informative, they drive around every few hours and check on people who have arrived. They also ensure people have checked out on time.

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.

Booked one of the cabins for a long weekend with some friends for a relaxing retreat from the city…read more This place exceeded all expectations. From the start, the staff was friendly, helpful, and attentive. The manager, Layla, personally greeted us at check in and gave us a lot of great advice for the local area (where to eat, rent boats, etc). Whenever we stopped by the main office on our way in or out, she remembered my name and checked in to make sure everything was going great. We didn't run into any real issues, but I could tell they would have diligently solved them. Once we got to the cabin, the breathtaking view of the lake from the cabin and balconies was so serene. There was even a little private beach (only about 20 feet long) which we share with a few of our resort neighbors but was mostly empty. Perfect to dip our feet in the water and jump on the boogie board -- literally 2 minute walk from our balcony. The food options are a little limited, but the remote nature is one of the perks of this place, so I can't complain. What I ate from the local pizza joint and grocery was all tasty. The kitchen was well stocked with cooking and eating utensils so you could definitely take care of yourself with ease. The beds were comfortable and AC strong (both musts for me). Overall I can't really think of anything I'd change. Except maybe staying 2 nights longer.

My family and I have been coming to Lake Nacimiento for over 25 years. We've stayed in the lodges,…read moretrailers and for the last 10 years in the cottage across from the general store. This trip was a huge disappointment. When we got to the cottage, there were several things that were missing and of course there's no cell service so you have no way of contacting anyone to tell them about it. The worst part was the general store was closed for two days in a row, which is unacceptable. They should've told every single person entering at the gate that the store would be closed. Who does inventory in the height of the season? We had to drive to the store down the hill outside of the resort to get more ice, etc Since we got cell service down the hill, I called and told them what was missing and I never heard back. To top it off, the boat slip that we were given had another boat in it. Next year when we go to Lake Nacimiento, we will be renting an Airbnb and save ourselves a big headache! The only reason I'm giving two stars instead of one is because they put the fire pit on the grassy area with pavers around it, which was a huge improvement and got a new barbecue so you could cook everything at the one time.

My first experience here and we absolutely loved it. I do have to say since booking is all done…read morethrough recreation.gov app i really wish they would share a little more information on actual sites.... Site 32... the spot has some beautiful views. You are about 100 yards from the restrooms and wire spouts/ trash. The site is on completely uneven ground. After attempting to sleep in our tents night 1 we decided to sleep in our rooftop tent. All in all it's a beautiful campground. Tip: bring balancing boards to help balance the table and or your cot or mattress.

Wow!!! Loved this campsite and the camp hosts here! Came up and it was my first camping by the…read morebeach and wow, it was beautiful. The campsites were clean and access to sand dollar beach was amazing. Make sure you go during low tide though so you can actually walk down to the beach! My partner and I talked to the camp hosts and they were so sweet and accommodating. They made sure the campsites were clean and checked in with us. We will 100% be back here this year since we had such a great experience. Thank you Katie and James!!

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.

It's the only campground around here which offers the most important amenities you need like,…read moreelectric hookup, water, sewage. They have been open for about 4 yrs. They are still a work in progress. They have laundry and showers. You can tent here and RV. They have no store still. A lot of hiking available. Located against coyote hill. Another downside is that you have to be back in the campgrounds by 10pm because they close the gate. Otherwise you must park your vehicle outside the gate and walk back to the camping area. There are no pull throughs either. No firewood available. Grills are. Picnicking tables and playground. Can be windy at times. Can be difficult to park large RV because of boulders placed as landscaping. There are coyotes, lots of rabbits and wild turkeys and ground squirrels. Not sure about showers on how clean they keep them.

Beautiful campground with full hookups and roomy sites. Nice bathrooms and showers too. Lots of…read moregrounds to walk a dog or exercise. Close to many places to go.

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.