Kirk Creek Campground

The Prewitt Ridge trail south of Kirk Creek near Plaskett is a popular single-track downhill mountain biking route. The 14-mile-long South Coast Road also gives gravel grinders a taste of the Big Sur backcountry. Experienced road cyclists can ride Highway 1, but be prepared for no shoulders and busy traffic. We also recommend the 10-mile Romero Loop for its killer descent and incredible mountain views.

Near Kirk Creek are a variety of surf and rock fishing sites where licensed anglers can cast for perch and other surf fish. Sand Dollar Beach is especially popular for fishing too.

Directly across Highway 1 from Kirk Creek is the Vicente Flat trailhead. This trail climbs the coastal foothills to epic ocean views, a redwood grove, and backcountry campsites. There is also a waterfall hike nearby at Limekiln State Park, and farther afield, Big Sur's Ventana Wilderness features 260 miles of hiking trails through steep ridges and low valleys.

The Saint Lucia Mountains have been taken by horseback many a’ times, and the time you visit should be no exception. To truly feel “on top of the world,” we highly recommend connecting with a local ranch. These horseback rides offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take in your surroundings while listening to some of the colorful tales that guides can share about the mountain life. Santa Barbara and Big Sur offer excellent guides and outfitters. You can’t go wrong wherever you take your horse!

Lake Cachuma in the Santa Barbara region offers some of the best kayak fishing, especially with its location admist the mountains. The Ventana Wilderness is home to creeks and rivers that allow visitors to kayak and canoe to their hearts’ content. What better way to enjoy the fresh mountain water?

You can’t go wrong at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, but it’s no match for the Seven Falls in Santa Barbara. This hike might not be in the forest itself, but it’s in the nearby area, and definitely worth checking out. The Ventana Wilderness is also home to some of the region’s best (and most elusive) swimming spots. The Arroyo Seco River Gorge is a collection of emerald green, totally mesmerizing swimming holes. Swimming here is a great midday break, or a good enough reason to visit the wilderness by itself. In the summer, you can find people jumping off rocks and even bringing their floaties to help them fully enjoy the river’s ambiance.

Keep an eye out for dolphins, elephant seals, and whales in the waters near Kirk Creek Campground. Land animals in this region include raccoons, deer, and bobcats.

Although you can walk to a rocky beach from the campground, Kirk Creek is also just five miles north of Sand Dollar Beach, one of the largest consecutive sand beaches in all of Big Sur. Sand Dollar Beach is great for beach combing and tide pooling, plus surfing—just beware of strong currents given no lifeguards are present.