Planning first time trip to Big Sur - looking for advice

Hi gang. We are planning a road trip to Big Sur from Denver for the last week of April to camp out a few nights. We've never been and would love to hear any input and tips from the community that have experience with camping at Big Sur.

We'll be using our RTT, and we'll be bringing along my Australian Shepherd as well. We'd love to find an area to camp along the beach or bluff overlooking the beach (if possible).

Some questions I have:

-Can we disperse camp along the beach (are there designated areas?) Or do we need to reserve campsites in advance.

-If we have to reserve campsites, any favorite sites we should look into?

-Any fun hikes or places to see around the area?

-Coming from Denver (we'll be driving through Las Vegas), any attractions we should keep an eye out along the way?

Here's a photo of our camping setup:

Thank you!

 

you should look up Big Sur Prewitt Ridge! Sweet camping spot. Free camping! If I was you I would bring a portable fire pit. It can get extremely up there but you can always find a spot before the ridge. Its a level one trail, last time i went we saw "snow or ice"? Idk. Its nothing to hard.

 

Thank you for your reply, Prewitt Ridge is definitely our main go-to spot. We're mainly worried it'll be all filled up but we're hoping to show up at the spot mid-week so maybe we'll luck out and find a spot then.

Also, what's your experience or knowledge with rules for dogs in the area? I've made the same post on Reddit and someone mentioned that Big Sur area are not very friendly towards dogs (dogs aren't allowed on hiking trails and campsites, ect.).

 

I didn’t do any hiking, didn’t have enough time for it. It’s was super windy about 25mph winds. I’ve seen people have dogs up on the ridge. I think you should be find going during mid week. It’s a long drive going up, you have to watch out for other drivers Coming down since it’s a share Road . Take your time and enjoy the views. If you don’t get a spot at the ridge there’s Plenty of spot before the ridge.

 

Yeah I think Prewitt Ridge Rd is your best bet for dispersed camping with a good ocean view.

If that doesn't work out Kirk Creek Campground would be a nice campground to reserve (good luck) or try your luck at first come first serve. It's literally on a bluff overlooking the Pacific and is one of my favorite, albeit small, campgrounds that I have ever visited. It is dog friendly and has a private rocky beach. There's a also a great hiking trail directly across highway 1 from the campsite.

I believe Big Sur the State Park doesn't allow dogs but Los Padres National Forest does.

Ah also, there's no dispersed beach camping anywhere near this area as far as I know...

 

Limekiln campground, Mt Madonna Campground and visit San Luis Obispo Thursday evening for their awesome Farmer’s Market/Block Party

 

and the BBQ!!!

 

Oh heck yeah hahaha bring cash!

 

I don't know much about Big Sur but I'm thinking I'll have to put it on my list. My recommendation is since you'll be going through Las Vegas, you should go through Death Valley. I don't know how much time you have but it's a great place to visit.

 

Just pump before you hit the coast. You should be fine.

 

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd (paved) gets you way up there with some magnificent views and a couple dirt road pulloffs you can explore. The back side is kinda of a different ecosystem with some awesome trees... (and lots of headlight loving dear...watch out for those sneaky dudes)

 

Perwitt Ridge is your best bet.

Walk down to Sand Dollar Beach too!

 

Fresh deer meat!? YUUM

 

Just overheated brakes, stupid heart rate and a bunch of cussing thankfully.

 

Ahh! Use those gears! (2-3)! no more overheated brakes!

 

Def using them on the downhill... wouldnt be here if I wasnt, that road is steep!
Dont have the reflexes to use the low gears for the deer tho...

 

Is this Perwitt Ridge?

 

Somewhat...closeish

 

That's an awesome campsite