Make sure to check if there are any road closures or significant detours, as well as any changes in camping rules and regulations, when you are planning your visit to this destination. This will help ensure that your trip goes smoothly and that you are well-informed about any updates or restrictions you may encounter along the way.

Why Camping at Big Sur?

There are several big reasons to camp in Big Sur: stunning views, hot springs, hikes, plentiful wildlife (including giant redwood trees), and its remoteness. Camping is also an affordable way to experience Big Sur compared to booking a room at the resorts and hotels in the area. There are many campgrounds along the pacific coast line that give you close access to the beaches, hiking trails, and state parks nearby. If you're new to camping or have a family with kids, these campgrounds will serve you well. Whether you're pitching a tent, or bringing a travel trailer or an RV, just make sure to come prepared to witness one of the most beautiful locations in southern California.

Why Dispersed Camping?

Although campgrounds are great, dispersed camping (camping outside of traditional campgrounds in designated areas of national forests or BLM land) can bring a whole new experience. You can experience nature much more closely without noise or commotion caused by neighboring campers as you would in typical campgrounds; now that's not always the case, but it happens frequently enough that I always prefer dispersed camping. I found about this alternative version of camping when I started watching overlanding related content on Youtube a few years ago. It seemed going further out on dirt/forest roads and doing vehicle based camping in nature usually yielded far better views and more intimate experience. After I got my off road capable SUV, Lexus GX 460, earlier this year, I've done dispersed camping many times and I have to say, this is the best way to enjoy the beauty and remoteness of the outdoors (if you are a vehicle based camper). The only downside is that there is no public amenities; you'd have to bring all the essential items yourself which includes extra water, food, toilet, etc.

Two Years of Wait Finally Coming to an End

This road trip involving a stop in Big Sur was originally planned for the Spring of 2020. But the pandemic hit and subsequently we had to cancel the whole thing. It has been a long wait since then and we were full of excitement and jitters as we got closer to our camp site.

Getting There

Driving along the beautiful Highway 1

From Santa Barbara, it takes about 4 hours of driving on winding H1 North. There are quite a bit of changes in elevation. Also, roads tend to get a little too narrow for comfort at times so drive with extra amount of caution. The seemingly never ending sequence of breathtaking ocean and mountain views makes the long drive enjoyable though. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is very little gas stations past the Morro Bay area so make sure you fill up before leaving. Most importantly, one should take their time and make at least a few stops along the way and make a lot of memories; it'd be a shame to just drive by this unique section of Southern California without soaking in the beauty of it all.

Getting to Plaskett Ridge Road camp site

Once you turn right on the Plaskett Ridge road from Highway 1, it's a steep climb on a narrow, winding, and rocky dirt road. I'd say it's safer to be in a traditional 4x4 vehicle with 4 low capability but I've seen AWD vehicles and even sprinter vans make it up. It heavily depends on driver experience and whether or not you're part of a group with other seasoned drivers in these situations. Also, there are many private properties on both sides of the road so be careful not to trespass; frankly, it'd be pretty hard to do so as long as you stay on the main road (there are clearly marked signs displayed all throughout the trail as well). Once you are on the ridge, you can start searching for a camp site. For the best view, you will need to climb one of the hills as seen in the following photos (another reason to be in a traditional 4x4). One thing to note is that there is another private property at the end of the road so no need to track the road all the way down.

First impressions

When we first got to our camp site, we were met with a panoramic view of clouds blanketing the ocean. It was a surreal moment and we couldn't help but stand there and enjoy it in awe. We were tired after a long drive but still very excited about the fact that we finally have made our way here.

Ocean sunset on a mountain ridge

The true beauty you can witness from this particular spot comes in sunset. You can see both the ocean and the surrounding mountains get colored in various sunset hues: pink, orange, purple, red, and everything in between. A subtle shift in color intensifies as the sunlight slowly diminishes and is also much more overwhelming than usual because of the wide scope of view in front of you (It was one of those times where we wished we had bought a drone).

Perfect camping weather - Usually very windy

During the two days we spent there, It was a bit windy from time to time but not nearly as bad as expected. In fact, the weather was rather perfect overall; it was sunny, not too cold, not too hot, and like I said, not too windy. We got lucky because it's usually known to be very blustery at this location. Therefore, if you're planning a trip here, it'd be a good idea to come prepared for it. For example, we sleep in our car so harsh elements are not a big issue after we call it a night, where as if you are camping with a tent, high wind will definitely deprive you of a good night's sleep.

On our next visit, we are planning on including more hiking and exploring in the area since there are a lot of options for outdoor activity in Big Sur. That was the biggest thing we feel we couldn’t fully take advantage of because of our short stay. All in all, it was another great camping experience that we'll cherish for the rest of our lives and we highly recommend it if you're looking for an iconic spot to spend some quality time with friends or family. Can’t wait to go back there again. Cheers!