Big Sur

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes

Driving to and sleeping at a campground

Ideal for first-timers

Road tripping down the coast for a dreamy, deluxe getaway in Big Sur

Yvonne Leow

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http://www.bewilder.club/experiences/big-sur-coastal-road-trip-ventana-campground

Last updated

August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Romantic partners

Vibe · Moderate and fun

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at Ventana Campground

Drive · 3 hours from SF

Ideal dates · April to October

Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on most trails

Big Sur is a 90-mile stretch of land that hugs California's Central Coast. Its breathtaking beauty and foggy wonders has drawn famous writers like Henry Miller and Jack Kerouac for good reason. Dotted with a number of state parks, beaches, and hiking trails, Big Sur is an idyllic camping destination. Watch dramatic sunsets, meditate to rhythmic waves, and taste the ocean air. Reconnect with yourself and loved ones in this glittering gem next to the Pacific Ocean. ‍‍

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Website

Andrew Molera State Park Website‍

Directions To Campground

Main image credit: Jeremy Bishop

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

Cell reception is nonexistent in Big Sur. Download offline maps before your trip!
There aren't bears in Big Sur, but store your food overnight and when you're away from camp. Critters still love to snack.
Face masks and social distancing are required. Recreate responsibly!

Resources

Check the weather

Where to camp

Ventana Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

Picnic table
Fire ring and bbq grate
25 x 15 feet of space
One parking spot
Shared toilets (on site)
Trash collection (on site)

Tucked into a 40-acre redwood canyon, Ventana Campground is for campers who want a touch of lux. Sleep beneath the stars while having access to bath houses, showers ($2 for every 5 minutes), and a general store on site that sells firewood and ice. This private, tent-only campground has glamping tents and campsites, but both can sell out fast, especially during the summer. Two pets are allowed at each campsite, but doggos aren't allowed on most trails in Big Sur.

Check-in: 4 PM · Check-out: 11 AM

View Ventana Campground Map

Nightly Fee: $80

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

Exterior of Big Sur Bakery — Big Sur Bakery. Credit: Yelp

Leave SF by 10 AM and pick up lunch at Big Sur Bakery

Locals love their croissants, donuts, anything baked, honestly.
Located at 47540 CA-1 in Big Sur
Open Wednesdays to Sundays · 9 AM to 5 PM
LAST PIT STOP · Shell - Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur

Visit Pfeiffer Beach for an afternoon picnic and views of Keyhole Arch

Turn left back onto HWY 1 from Big Sur Bakery and turn left when you hit Sycamore Canyon Road (about 0.5 miles away)
Drive down Sycamore Canyon Road for a little over 2 miles before reaching the beach
Bring cash to cover a $10 day use fee

Drive to Ventana Campground to check-in after 4 PM

Located at 48123 CA-1 in Big Sur

Set up camp and settle in

Prep dinner, dessert and enjoy an evening of relaxing and stargazing.
Hang fairy string lights around your tent to add a romantic flair to your campsite.

John Pfeiffer sold 700 acres of his family's land to CA in 1933. The state named Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and more, after him.

Day Two

Wide view of Bluffs, Panorama, and Creamery Meadows Loop Trail — Bluffs, Panorama, and Creamery Meadows Loop Trail. Credit: AllTrails

Make brunch and prep for a day hike at Andrew Molera State Park

Pack a daypack with food, sunscreen, jacket, water, and sandals
Remember to tuck away your food in your car or food storage bin
Drive 20-minutes north of Ventana Campground to Andrew Molera State Park

Hike Bluffs, Panorama, and Creamery Meadows Loop Trail

It's a moderate 8-mile round-trip hike, with 1,270 ft. of total elevation, beginning with a Big Sur river crossing. There's a seasonal footbridge in place between June 15 to October 31 so if you go during that window your feet will stay dry :)
The first half is a steady climb, but enjoy 180-degree views of the coast
At the Panorama x Spring trail junction, head to Molera Beach for an afternoon picnic