Beach camping in Big Sur
Plan ahead to make your Big Sur beach camping dreams come true.
97% (755 reviews)
- Big Sur
97% (755 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Big Sur
6 top beach campgrounds in Big Sur
95%
(455)
DABUDAGE
7 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · CA
A place to stay in southern Big Sur with camp sites and accommodations.
Before sending an inquiry please read the listings.
Also available as a host your own retreat venue starting at 360 per night
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from
$60
/ night
88%
(173)
The Hill Fort - Camelot
18 sites · RVs, Tents48 acres · Greenfield, CA
Camelot was founded on the Summer Solstice, in the year 2000, by a small group of like minded people as a peaceful refuge from the trappings and ills of society. The name "Camelot" was chosen because of the groups' belief in a round table approach to problem solving, and the desire to reach a unanimous group consensus in any course of action which might affect any one individual of the group. A pendragon was elected as the the lifetime group leader, or "first among equals". This position exists today, though the members of the original group have faded into history.
We are located a 45 minute drive from Carmel Valley, CA and 50 minutes from Pinnacles National Park. We have 15 tent and RV sites available.
We can only accommodate vehicles under 25 ft and there are no hookups.
No campfires allowed.
Wifi only works in certain areas of the property.
Pets are welcome but must be kept on leash.
We have a toilet and shower but campers must supply their own soap, shampoo and towels.
Please note, there are a lot of animals nearby so there will be noise at night.
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$45
/ night
100%
(4)
Wilde Big Sur
4 sites · Lodging, Tents28 acres · Big Sur, CA
In the south coast redwood forests of Big Sur along Plaskett Creek there is a wild land waiting for you to explore it and yourself. Take in the grandeur of the forest canopy, the lush blankets of sorrel and the sound of the creek rippling through the woods. Laze in the grassy meadow, enjoy a bath in the creek or chop wood and enjoy a campfire in our heart-shaped fire ring. Encounter birds, butterflies, squirrels, deer, lizards and many other creatures on your hike to Puma Point with the most spectacular view of Sand Dollar Beach and the rugged Big Sur South Coast.
Wilde Big Sur is a pristine hideaway tucked in the Redwood forest along Plaskett Creek. This is a 1/4 mile hike in/hike out property. All gear will be brought by guests up the mountain. Backpacks are highly recommended. All guests must be in good physical condition to hike up the mountain with their belongings. Guests will experience some strenuous activity getting to the property and accessing different areas on the property.
Additionally, the property is off grid. Resources here are important and scarce. The water we use is directly from the creek and we filter it twice. We must be very careful with our waste water, so please do not bring soaps, lotions or skin oils. We use solar and generators for power, and conservation of power is important so we can turn on lights at night and make coffee in the morning. There are two composting toilets located 100 yards away from the creek as is required by CA law. It is a significant hike uphill to access the composting toilets. The Lotus skydeck is located another ¼ mile hike up the canyon, and there is a longer loop hike with steep trails to Puma Point with spectacular views of Sand Dollar Beach.
Wilde Big Sur is located just across from beautiful Sand Dollar Beach - so we have the coastal influence and canyon shadows at play throughout the day. Layers are best, it can get warm for a short time and by sunset it can get cold and misty. Big Sur is known for the mist, so soak it in!
Solitude abounds on this land. We need the land, and the land needs us. Bring your worry, your anger, your fear, your stress, your doubt, your regret - offer it to the land. Mother Gaia can take it. She knows how to process energy. She filters it, recycles it and transmutes it into wind, fire, rain - into beauty. Our tears become the streams and eventually the waves of the ocean. Allow yourself to feel deeply here.
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$65
/ night
99%
(112)
Mission Ranch "Mi Querida"
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · CA
Annular Eclipse Saturday, October 14, 2023 Nearby SF Bay Area viewing 9:20am PDT (16:20 UDT)
The New Moon—on October 14—will coincide with the Great American Annular Eclipse, providing a fantastic opportunity to observe the “Ring of Fire” – an incredible thin ring of sunlight that is visible around the moon during this phenomenon.
The Nearby Second Best viewing opportunity is a quick and easy 60 minute drive from the SF Bay Area. At Mi Querida we will be viewing a 80% Annular Eclipse on Saturday morning 9:20am, while live streaming the full path of the eclipse from Mexico through Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. Your booking includes a pair of safe solar viewing “eclipse glasses” for your safety. NEWS FLASH: Charge your EV on-site while watching the eclipse!
Come to your "Nearby Getaway" at Mi Querida - an easy drive from the SF Bay Area - for great Annular Eclipse views. Book today. Space is limited.
Contact Host for Special Daytime Eclipse Viewing rate.
Learn more about this land:
This is a large flat site with rolling hills, lovely rural views, rolling oak studded pastureland, open views, lovely sunsets and beautiful mornings. Very quiet, private, peaceful and serene. Afternoon breezes while red tailed hawks ride the thermals, and woodpeckers work on their treasure hoarde. Wildlife abounds.
Easy access from Highway 101, yet private and secluded. Historic San Juan Bautista Mission and town nearby. Monterey/Carmel 30 minutes. Santa Cruz/Beaches 30 minutes. Hollister, Salinas, or Gilroy 20 minutes.
Site will accommodate RV, Sprintervan, or trailer 50/30/20 amp service. Tents welcome too! Water. Ranch "outhouse" with flushable RV style toilet, running hot & cold water, shower and electricity.
Bunkhouse accommodations available. Contact Host for details.
Tent and Car Top Tent sites also available. Contact Host for details.
Beautiful peaceful historic San Juan Bautista. Quaint historic mission town nearby with restaurants. Hiking trails nearby Horseback riding woods & beach. Equine Facilities available. 20 min to beach or redwoods. Beautiful rural area. Weddings, anniversaries, celebrations of life; event camp; event site. Family groups and events always welcome! Call for more information.
NOTE: This property is located in a very private country area. It is approximately 10 minutes from the small historic town of San Juan Bautista. We meet our first time guests at the Park & Ride as a welcome courtesy so you can easily follow us in and around the potholes on our rural roads!
Let us know if we can assist you with any special interests or attractions in the Monterey Bay and Central Coast Area.
As your hosts, our goal is that you will rest easy, enjoy the relaxation, peace and harmony for your "getaway."
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$115
/ night
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(37)
Grey Oaks 2
3 sites · Tents20 acres · Aromas, CA
This is great option for those who like to bring all their own gear to camp, and don’t need or want all the extras, and save some money on booking rates in the process. Our new Primitive Adventures campsites are located on an established 5-star property. It’s a peaceful, secluded and private country estate. The 20 acre property starts out flat and then gentle to moderate sloped hillside with coast live oak trees, eucalyptus trees, pine trees, meadows, hiking trails and many interesting landscape features nestled between the vast farmlands North Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. We have a beautiful 45ft waterfall with a koi pond, too. Property faces a westerly direction so there are amazing sunset views depending on where you are on standing at the time on the property. We are 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The weather is usually mild here and we have cool evenings. We do get days that are in the 90s sometimes in the summer and early fall, but we also have lots of shade with all the trees, and a swimming pool to cool off in as well. There is wildlife like turkeys and owls and so much more (see our listing or our website). We have horses and hens, separate from the campsites, so no flies or smell from them. Hot showers, toilets, and swimming pool included. Forage the plentiful eucalyptus and oak firewood for free, or pre-cut pine is available for purchase. Most of our weekends are fully booked at our Rustic Campsites already, so here is another chance to have yourself a weekend camping trip at our new Primitive Adventures campsites. We hope to see you soon! :)
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$60
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99%
(185)
Rusty Hill Farm Homestead
3 sites · Tents3 acres · Aromas , CA
Welcome to our family homestead! Come hang out with us. Play on the farm. We are 30-40 min from Monterey and Santa Cruz for all the beaches, hiking, etc.
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$100
/ night
Dog-friendly getaways
Available this weekend
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Explore the area’s public lands.
Beach camping in Big Sur guide
Overview
There are really no bad camping spots in the California wonderland that is Big Sur, but if you’re intent on a beach experience, there are some extremely popular campgrounds that savvy campers know take planning to score. The most coveted spots are in state parks, where reservations open six months in advance. These include Andrew Molera State Park’s trail camp, where you can access Andrew Molera Beach, and Limekiln State Park, which has both ocean sites and Redwood sites. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has two environmental campsites on top of the ocean cliffs—the beach is not accessible but you’re right on the ocean all the same. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park’s campground does not have ocean access (it’s on the Big Sur River, instead) but is near the turn-off to Pfeiffer Beach from Highway 1. Additionally, a few other campgrounds along the coast aren’t state parks and run their own reservation systems.
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