Slowing Down in Big Sur

Best Things Nearby:
Ventana Campground is a great location to use as a home base while exploring the Big Sur parks and beaches. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, and Pfeiffer Beach are all within 5 to 30 minutes of driving. Additionally, there are various restaurants, inns, and touristy shops all within 5 minutes of driving.

Best Things About the Resort:
Hands down, the redwood trees and stream make this campground one of the best campgrounds we have stayed at. Even Yosemite, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Lake Tahoe campgrounds do not compete with the comfort of Ventana.

Resort Experience:
Ventana Campground, a not-so-best-kept secret of Big Sur, is tucked away into a redwood canyon that is both private and breathtaking. Located 45 minutes south of Carmel, Ventana's 80 campsites are bisected by a fantastic stream that is dwarfed by 40 acres of towering redwood giants.

As luck would have it, we stumbled upon Ventana only after being turned away from the state park campgrounds that were sold out long before we pulled in. While slightly more expensive than your average campsite, Ventana is the place to stay while camping in Big Sur. The state parks nearby are tempting, but Ventana's pure scenic beauty will knock your socks off within the first minute of entering the compound.

Thanks to the canyon slopes, the terraced sites have a good sense of privacy while still close to neighboring campsites. Trash cans, water, and three bathhouses are conveniently located and easy to reach. We had no doubt that Ventana's shower facilities were significantly cleaner and well maintained than their state park counterparts. Security also patrolled the grounds to make sure visitors honored the quiet hours as well as the campfire restrictions (unattended fires are strictly prohibited).

While not always necessary, it best to make reservations in advance due to the minimal number of campsites located in the entire Big Sur region. Due to the mild climate, campgrounds are in demand year-round, however spring to fall is the peak season.

• Campground Type: Private
• Campsite Type: Tent
• Price Range: $30 - $40
• Cleanliness: Excellent
• Campground Facilities: Excellent
• Recreational Facilities: Satisfactory
• Campsite Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Pfeiffer Beach, the best place to watch the sunset in Big Sur, is one of the few beaches in all of Big Sur that has road access. Yet the road to this beautiful fine-sand beach remains unmarked to keep busy day trippers from enjoying a Big Sur gem.

Roughly 3 miles off Highway 1, Pfeiffer Beach is located at the end of a paved single-lane road that travels down a heavily forested canyon. Several private homes branch off from the road, and that may be part of the reason why this beach remains elusive to many passerby. A parking lot (a $5/car day use fee is required) with restroom facilities resides at the termination of the paved road.

A short walk past the parking lot the beach opens up with gorgeous views of the ocean. The beach is actually twice as long as it appears, with a headland to the north giving the illusion the beach ends there. Walk past the headland and a larger section of the beach opens up. Several rock formations near the shore provide for dramatic wave action and plenty of tidal pools.

On the first evening we were at the beach there was a strong wind that kicked up the sand to the point of being uncomfortable. The only reprieve was finding nooks in the cliffs to sit down in, which did add a little privacy to an already private beach. The second evening was much less windy and the sunset couldn't have been better.

To get to the unmarked road, head a fourth mile south of Big Sur Visitor Center on Highway 1. On the right side, a sign warning about a narrow road is your only clue that you've found the right road (see the picture of the sign below). Travel slowly down the road for roughly 3 miles to the developed parking lot.