Beach camping in Big Sur is at its finest at Limekiln State Park
. 33 campsites have their home here, with a number of them have stunning ocean views. If you're not facing the ocean, then you'll be surrounded by stunning redwood trees, either way you can't lose.
Is camping on the beach legal in California?
There are beaches in California where camping is permitted, with a required permit
. But it is not allowed to pitch your tent on every beach in California. In recent years, California has implemented new laws and regulations around beach camping, which were made to protect California's stunning beaches.
Can you camp in Big Sur without a reservation?
I've noted
which Big Sur campgrounds have a few first-come first-served campsites if you're bold enough to chance it without a reservation
(though don't plan on them being empty if you pull up on a Friday night).
Does Big Sur have dispersed camping?
Free and dispersed campsites in Big Sur are available for tents only
. Streamside camping is allowed in Big Sur Valley and oceanview. And bluff camping is available in the southern end of Big Sur.
Is camping allowed in Big Sur?
189 RV and tent sites are situated on or near the Big Sur River
. There is a Campfire Center that offers evening programs on the weekends during peak season. Pfeiffer Big Sur is an extremely popular campground. Reservations fill up six months in advance, even in the winter.
When can you camp in Big Sur?
We usually visit in either
spring or fall
as we like to avoid the summer crowds. Visiting during this time of year can mean gorgeous sunsets, uncrowded hikes, mild weather during the day and slightly lower temperatures at night. However, Big Sur is a great place to camp year round.
Can I sleep in my car in Big Sur?
Hwy 1 through Big Sur is a remote area, so the highway patrol can only monitor the road so much – its not like they can just pass by various sections on their way to somewhere else. So,
yes, it is possible to sleep in your car
and not get caught. If you are caught, at the very least you will be told to move along.
Can you camp in Big Sur in December?
There are several campgrounds within Big Sur's village areas that are better protected from the wind, etc. Fernwood, Pfieffer Big Sur State Park & Riverside are your best options.
Camping is most definitely doable in December in the Big Sur area, with that sleeping bag
.
Is Big Sur open now?
Highway 1 is fully open
to travelers who may now travel without interruption from Monterey/Carmel area to Cambria/Morro Bay along the Big Sur Coast.
Can I put a tent on the beach?
Sure, the sand makes it difficult to pitch a tent, but
you still should always set the guy lines off your tent (and/or tent fly) solidly into the sand
. Regular tent pegs won't really work in the sand.
Can you camp on a beach?
Beachside camping is actually pretty illegal on most public beaches
, so you've to plan ahead on where you're going to go. You'll find some of the best spots away from popular touristy beaches so don't be afraid to go off the beaten path.
Can you bring a tent to the beach in California?
Tents that are not fully enclosed are usually allowed on all CA beaches
. As long as they don't have a 4th wall making them a closed off.
Where can I park overnight in Big Sur?
- CAMPING FEES: $35/ night for a standard campsite at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
- $50/ night for a premium campsite at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
- $30/night for an environmenal campsite at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
Is dispersed camping open in California?
Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping
, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted “closed to camping,” or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources.
Is Big Sur in a national forest?
Los Padres National Forest spans five counties: Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Kern. In Monterey County,
Los Padres National Forest extends through Big Sur
and out toward the Salinas Valley.
Can you camp in Big Sur in February?
Best time of year to go camping in Big Sur? In my opinion as a California local, the best time to go camping in Big Sur is in the spring,
between February and April
! (Yes: spring starts in Februrary here.
Are there bears in Big Sur?
Bears are not common in Big Sur
so this sighting was quite… More. We regularly provide still-born calves to help newly released condors get established and to reduce lead exposure to older birds from feeding on “wild” carcasses that were shot with lead ammunition.
How far is Monterey from Big Sur?
How long is the drive from Big Sur to Monterey? The direct drive from Big Sur to Monterey is
28.0 mi (45 km)
, and should have a drive time of 45 mins in normal traffic.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground
is quite large compared to other campgrounds that we've stayed at in California. This scenic campground offers 189 tent and RV sites along with restrooms, showers, a restaurant on-premises, a couple of camp stores where you can buy camping goods, and even a laundromat.
Can you camp along Pacific Coast highway?
You can reserve the campgrounds at the California state parks and state beaches up to six months in advance
. Big Sur's Kirk Creek Campground is in a national forest and can also be reserved six months ahead, as noted below.
Can you sleep at Vista Point?
Access from and directly at road 101. This is a formal rest area where
sleeping is allowed and legal for up to 8 hours
.
Can you park overnight on the PCH?
As mentioned,
it is illegal to park overnight by the side of the road on any highway in California
. The ticket will cost far more than the hotel room.
Does Big Sur get cold?
Keep in mind that
Big Sur's winter temperatures deviate from the norm, with the highs hanging in the 60s and the lows staying in the 40s
. The regular rainstorms are a drawback, but these storms make way for clear skies that the summer fog doesn't allow — perfect for stargazing.
Is Big Sur cold in the winter?
Winter (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year
in Big Sur to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 65.3°F (18.5°C) and 59.4°F (15.2°C).
What is Big Sur like in January?
The average minimum temperature (usually the minimum temperature is noted during the night) in Big Sur in January is 2.9°C (37.22°F). The amount of rain in January is normal with an average of 61mm (2.4in). It rains on average a total of 8 days. The average maximum daytime temperature lies around 17.3°C (63.14°F).
