My first camping experience in Los Padres National Forest was unforgettable. California's central coast is a long line of bluffs, rocks, wooded places, beaches, and magical blue ocean water. I excitedly reserved a camp in the camps of Limekiln overlooking the peaceful ocean. I have not returned to the Grand Syoma since I was born 2 years ago, when we left San Francisco for Los Angeles. What made this trip even better was that my fiance Trevor and our friends Karen and Alan were there to share this wonderful place with me.
If you are like me, you like to know as much information as possible when visiting the campsite. The showers are hot, we will be in a good campsite, how far the camps are from everything. Since this was my first time, I really did not know what to expect. On the booking sites and in the camp you will see a tiny view of what will look like camping. I want to give you some useful tips that will help you get the most out of your camping in Big Sur. (Some tips are exclusive to Limekiln campsites, but others are general tips about the central coast and campsite)
1) Bring cash for rooms for showers. A shower is $ 0.25 for 2 minutes, which is by far the best deal I've ever seen in Big Sur. Camping State Julia Pfeiffer - 1 US dollar for 2 minutes! Also the shower is hot not only warm! (of course there was cherry on top)
2) If you take a second car, be sure to bring cash to cover a daily fee of $ 10. Reservations apply only to the first car.
3) In each camp there is a sleeve for drinking water and washing dishes.
4) If you book a campsite for access to the beach, you will sleep under 1 motorway. This is not so bad, because the sound of cars passing over them is muffled by the sound of waves, and the stream runs into the ocean.
5) I mentioned that there is a stream near the campgrounds. Just make sure you book your campsite for access to the ocean, which you order on the east side of the camp card.
6) The beach is securely small and swimming is prohibited.
7) Swimming is also prohibited on all beaches through the area of the Big Sur. The waves are unpredictable, and rip-toki extremely powerful. Very rarely you will find beaches where conditions are even correct only for cotton.
8) Layering is very important for camping in Laymekin. It will be overcast and cold at night, and the sea layer will disappear during the day, leaving you at the mercy of the sun.
9) The beaches can become very windy. The sand will fly in every direction, including the bottom. Install a wind visor, goggles and a scarf to cover the face, head and torso.
10) Depending on the season, you will not be able to watch the sunset on the water. We set out on May 28-30, the sun set over the cliffs to the north-west.
11) Hike to Limekiln Falls is a little over a mile in each direction. A great way to start a camping trip when you first arrive.
12) Walking routes are limited and short, so you probably want to plan day trips to other parks along the coast.
13) Parking fees for other parks and beaches are not covered if you relax in Leimekine. Pfeiffer State Park and Beach - $ 10 each.
14) Bring earplugs in case of noisy neighbors and do not forget to prepare them, because there is nothing worse than getting up to find them in the middle of the night.
15) Bolshoy Sery Park is 1 hour and 20 minutes drive. A great way to spend the day hiking and enjoying nature.
16) In Big Sur, it can be very foggy. When we visited the marine layer, it was above the hills and the ocean for most of the trip. It cleared mostly during the day and in the afternoon, but it still had fog over the horizon along the water. I found better weather in mid-November and mid-July with clear skies that go on forever.
17) Make sure you stop at gas before you arrive, because the nearest gas stations are more than 40 miles from campgrounds.
18) Talk to the locals in restaurants in the area to find out where to go on steep hikes and beaches in the area. I was talking to a girl in the Big Terphouse near Delhi. I was so glad that I started a conversation with her because she told us about Pfeiffer Beach. By far the best experience in Big Sur.
19) When you are on a day trip, be sure to check out all the campgrounds that are on the way. You may be able to discover the next camping site. Camping Kirk Creek is now on my list of campgrounds, it is located on bluffs high above the water. In addition, Julia Pfeiffer Camping Park is located above the beach.
20) There are tons of advantageous points that you want to stop in order to make time for this. Each species has something different and impressive.
The most important thing to remember is to have fun exploring the forest and the beaches. No matter how difficult or unexpected hiccups you encounter, Big Sur will be a trip for life. This is the most beautiful place I have ever been to, and even my friend compared it to an expensive vacation that seemed to cost thousands of dollars. I slept on the Northern Cascades and camped and climbed to Yosemite and Zion. None of these places even comes close to the beauty and serenity that embody the entire central coast. I hope that after reading this, you will be asked to go camping along the central coast of California.
