Hey there, Flock! We’re back with our Destination of the Month, and for August it’s Big Sur! We’re excited to showcase a little of what this beautiful place has to offer. Big Sur is a central coastline in California that provides stunning views of rugged mountains, Redwood forests, and beach views unlike any other. The end of summer is a great time to check out this unique area, and we’ve got some suggestions of what you can do while you’re there.

Camping

So you’ve finally made it to Big Sur, but where do you camp? Big Sur provides an array of public park campgrounds or the option to rent a site within a private campground. Between the public parks and private campgrounds there are 17 different locations to choose from to set up your camp. However, the availability of these sites is only known by each individual campground. When deciding where to camp you’ll need to call the specific campground you’re interested in to make the reservation. 

Ventana Campground is one of the most popular choices for camping, and for good reason. Located about 30 miles south of Carmel, this campground is located within a 40 acre Redwood canyon. All of the sites in this campground are contoured around the canyon for a natural and undisturbed camping experience. The sites in Ventana are tent only, but Rooftop tents are allowed! Every site has a picnic table and fire pit, and the campground itself is home to three modern bathhouses for all hygienic needs. This campsite is centrally located to shops, the post office, and general stores for essential needs.

While camping in Big Sur and enjoying all of the cliffside and coastline views, be sure to pack your Roofnest Anti-Condensation mat for your tent to keep the air circulated and your sleeping quarters dry. After a long day on the beach or trails, coming back to your Roofnest is sure to hit the spot.

Beaches

Visiting the beaches in Big Sur is at the top of most folks' to-do lists, and we can’t help but recommend Pfeiffer Beach. Pfeiffer is located in the heart of Big Sur and is one of the most popular destinations in the area. The beach is open from 9am to 8pm every day, and we suggest getting there early! Pfeiffer is located off Highway 1, and you’ll want to follow Sycamore Canyon Road about 2 miles out. Once you’ve arrived, park and head out to the coast to be blown away. Keyhole Rock, tide pools, purple sand, and the cascading cliff walls will reassure you that the trek out here was worth the wait! If Pfeiffer isn’t the only beach you want to see, the area is home to 11 beach areas where there are hot spots galore for families, surfers, and outdoorsmen and women of all kinds.

Hiking

Aside from enjoying the coastline views and scenery, there are a ton of things to keep you busy and get outside while you’re here. One of the most sought after activities is the McWay Waterfall Trail. If you type “Big Sur” into Google images, you’ll most likely see photos from the top of this hike. This trailhead is located in Julia Burns Pfeiffer State Park, and provides open views of the Southern and Northern coasts. The hike itself is a roundtrip of .64 miles, and an elevation gain of only 50 feet. This hike is one to bring your friends and family on because the view at the top is breathtaking. There is parking and restrooms at the trailhead, so make sure to prepare for your instagrammable moment when you get there!

Elephant Seal Sightings

If you’re looking for a unique day trip without the hiking, the Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas are calling your name. These seals appeared in the area around 1990 and were treasured by locals, but as they’ve expanded their rookery to larger portion of the beach, tourists come from all over the world to witness these magnificent creatures. Any visit throughout the year is sure to supply you with the seals breeding, molting, birthing, and just lounging. 

So there you have it, Flock! Another great destination to add to your travel plans. Be sure to tag @Roofnest on Instagram so we can follow along with your adventures!