RE: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park CA

[ckkevin]

 
I am planning a trip with some friends to the Big Sur area in California.  Has anyone been to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park?  
 
 What activities are available in the area.  We will have children from 2 to 15 years of age.

[Camping Coxes]

 ckkevin
We re considering this for a stopover for a day or two on our way back from Tahoe. It looks really nice.  In that area you have the bay of course, but you also have the Monterey Bay Aquarium and all the area around there.  There are shops and a boardwalk type area where you can rent the surry-type four wheeled bicycles, which kids love.
 
 In the California Camping book it got a 10 rating, which is the highest given.  If you don t have this book already, you should go get it. It has reviews of the campgrounds, listing the good, the bad and the ugly.  It s by Tom Stienstra.  You can get it Amazon.com, or at your local bookstore.  I know Borders carries it.  It s priceless.

[Nick]

 ckkevin
CK,
 Pfeiffer is awesome.  The campsites are huge, and the rest of the facilites are nice.  Of course there is no hookups at all so be prepared for that.

[Red neff Barchetta]

 ckkevin
Camping Coxes -
 Thank you!  You reminded me to update my version of Tom s book.  I just brought home the latest, which was published just last month.  My previous edition was  96.  He updates it about every 1 1/2 years.  It is a very useful guide!
 
 Btw Camping Coxes, I was just thinking that you should write a thread/review on the book here in the West cg review forum.  I was just mentioning it to our camping group in our forum and thought a book review would be helpful in this forum.  You of course should have the honors since you mentioned it.  Thanks again for the reminder!

[griffsmom]

 Camping Coxes
Hey Trina and Paul!
 
 We have that book too and have used it for over 10 years for our camping trips.  It is a wonderful resource for camping in California.  I especially like Tom s comments sections, although sometimes, I think his rating numbers are off a bit (in both directions).

[gsm x2]

 ckkevin
Pfeiffer Big Sur is a great campground.  If you can get a space by the river, you ll be able to sleep to its babbling sounds all night.
 
 There s a great little beach there.  A little hidden, apparently well-known enough that they needed to upgrade the parking area.  To get to it, turn left when leaving the campground.  Make a sharp right turn just as you start climbing the hill.  A few miles down a narrow curvey road that makes you think, " This can t be going anywhere,"  you dead end into the beach.  It s shaped like two " U" s with a point and a rock structure between the UU.  Important to know when you have kids because the beach past the point is " clothing optional"  and there are usually people there exercising their option.
 
 Then of course Highway 1 south is just incredible.  A great place to drive with places to stop and look around.
 
 I think you ll have a great time.
 
 gsm x2

[Camping Coxes]

 gsm x2

It s shaped like two " U" s with a point and a rock structure between the UU. Important to know when you have kids because the beach past the point is " clothing optional"  and there are usually people there exercising their option.

 Georgeanne -- Hmmmm, think we can drug the kids or something to get them to go to bed early so Paul and I can moonbathe on this beach?  LOL  What a sight!  Maybe pre-two pregnancies, but not quite now.  
 
 Do you think there s enough activities (hikes, bikes, swim) for the kids?  
 
 Well, I found Pfeiffer , and after I ve made all the plans for Tahoe, Paul wants to cancel Tahoe and just go to Pfeiffer.  I ve never been to Tahoe and I want to do both.  The day we leave Tahoe there s no openings at Pfeiffer, so we may layover at Paul s sister s in San Francisco for a day or two and then go, or even do a KOA for one night until there s openings.  I ve given ReserveAmerica $15 already because of a date change and then a CG change.  I hate to give them more.
 
 Red -- I ve never done a book review.  Hmmmm.  Let me think about it.  If you see a post, I thought about it and did it.  [8D]

[Camping Coxes]

 Camping Coxes
So much for letting everyone know how it was at Pfeiffer.  After six days at Tahoe (which was wonderful -- see my review on Sugar Pine Point SP), " we"  (meaning he) decided to come one home after spending two days with his sister.  So we went to Disneyland once we got home and are supposed to do something else today.  We re so tired from all this vacation, we need to go back to work to get some rest!

[thegrays]

 ckkevin
Great camping with kids! Visit the pioneer cabin and take the easy hike to Pfieffer Falls for lunch.  Make sure to book a " premium river site"  for a much nicer campsite though.....
 We also drove up the coast 4 miles to Andrew Molera State Beach for coastal access... I don t recommend this one though because it was extremely windy with blowing sand and not too much fun for younger children.  
 
 Have a great time!

[fishinful]

Pfeiffer Big Sur SP-


Pfeiffer Big Sur (not Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP) Is a world class park.Its fairly remote location along the California coast allows for breathtaking views.With over 1000 acres of parkland this location has something for everyone.Our recent visit in July 2004 gave our whole family a lifetime experience.

  First -my perspective,which usually revolves around money.At the time of our trip,gas was 3.50 a gallon locally.The camp store and local grocer were also very costly.Same for the resturants in town.The park has its own lodge,also with a super expensive eatery.I recommend that you bring all meals in unless money is no object. My wife and kids.,Having traveled on senic 1 before , had their "just-in-case" buckets in front of them.Much of this hi-way is carved out of sheer cliff complete with switchbacks and hairpin turns.Your equiptment must be in top shape or you will pay.

Second- My wife and kids had a great time playing in the river,which is really the size of a creek.The water level is maintained from a spring and is cool an clear.There are deep pools at various points and people gather to swim and dive all day.Remember this if you get a riverside spot.

The campfires at night are held at the front of the park and are informative and entertaining.I recommend driving if your spot is at the back as this campground is huge.Also many areas have a canopy of trees sometimes going on for hundreds of yards.If you find yourself on the twisty main roads after the sun goes down,you will notice that it is dark.Really dark.Dark like you can't see your hand in front of your face dark.extra flashlight batterys.and a bulb too.Just in case.This happened to us on the way back from a campfire.The rangers subject was mountain lions.The kids were ready to bolt.I gathered them up through echo location or something and shuffled back to our spot,changing direction when one of us no longer felt pavement underneath.Panicing would have resulted in running off into the river on one side or a tree on the other.

Third- Even though the beaches are nearby they can be hard to find.One good spot is just north of Andrew Molera. There is a well maintained walking path that takes you by the Cooper building:a log cabin built in 1864.It has most of the original hand split redwood shingles and a billboard explaining its makers and arcitechture.Its really neat.Continuing down the path it leads to the mouth of the Big Sur river where it meets the ocean.There is a cool cove and surfable waves here.Also the bluff protects you from the wind somewhat.Its about a 20 minute walk from the hi-way.It's well worth a day trip here.

Further up the coast is the Point Sur lightstation. Completed in 1889 the light house was one of the highlights of our trip. Five families lived here.Supplies were brought by boat 3 times a year.Set on top of a volcanic plug,they constructed a little town complete with blacksmith shop. I considered it a privelidge to go on a docent led tour.Many of the buildings have been restored. It's kind of a hike to the top but the docent make stops to tell a story or point out flora and fauna. I highly recommend this place. Information can be obtained at the campground kiosk.

Fourth- There are some things we noticed about this campground. The one road leading in splits and rejoins throught.This can be confusing even for an adult.We noticed a cultural lag in some of our fellow campers. All of the rangers were patient and friendly. All of them. This is a good family campground

[OC Campers]

Thank you for the review.  It was very helpful.  We are hoping to go to Pfeiffer next August.  My BIL and SIL have rented a cabin and want us to join them.  Now according to the camp book it appears there are 2 campgrounds.  Has anyone had experience with the Big Sur campground.  I don't remember its exact name.
 
Jacqui

[Camping Coxes]

Wow, great review!  We're planning to do the Northern California trip this summer.  My daughter's pitching coach just went to Pfeiffer Big Sur this summer and said her family has vacationed there every year since she was little and she never misses it.  So I think we'll make our way there for a few days, then on north to Ft. Bragg area.  With this review on hand, I'll be set.  DH will love the lighthouse.  More ammo to talk him into going there.