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Home » Travel » Bay Area » Camping in Big Sur

Camping in Big Sur

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Pat and I recently spent four days in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest. It was so nice to get out of San Francisco and spend some time in nature camping in Big Sur!Quick stop in Seaside, California

Of course we took Maddie with us. We stopped in Seaside for a wee break for her. She loves running through the sand! We incidentally spotted two whales playing right off the beach. It’s my first time seeing whales in the wild. It was quite something to see them come out of the water – such massive and amazing creatures.Quick stop in Seaside, California Quick stop in Seaside, California Gorgeous Ocean View on Highway 1, California

We also stopped at the Cannery Row Antique Mall in Monterey on the way down. Talk about absolute heaven! Definitely pricier than an outdoor flea market but so many beautiful pieces everywhere! Pat had to drag me away so we could get to Big Sur in time to find a campsite.

Cannery Row Antique Mall in Monterey California

Our ‘last meal’ before hiking in to find a camping spot was this gorgeous salad with mixed greens, blue cheese and edamame.Camping Salad - Big Sur Camping Trip

We spent most of our nights camping in Los Padres National Forest. We love national forests for several reasons – camping is free on national forest land and usually the sites are much more scenic and peaceful than a campground that is full of RV’s and noisy travelers.

Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National ForestCamping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest

The only downside to camping in California is that there is poison oak everywhere. Make sure you know what it looks like before doing any hiking in northern California!Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Mill Creek Trail Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Mill Creek Trail Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Dog Heaven

Maddie had an absolute blast. With so many bugs to chance and sticks to chew on she would alternate being completely tuckered out.Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Dog Heaven

These gorgeous snaps are from our final campsite at Kirk Creek Campground. This place is a definite gem. It’s quiet, clean and right on the ocean. There is a path that you can walk down the cliffs to the ocean to a majestic rocky beach.

Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Kirk Creek CampgroundCamping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Kirk Creek Campground

It was also a great place to catch the sunset. I’m just crazy about the lighting in these photos.Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Kirk Creek Campground Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Kirk Creek Campground Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Kirk Creek Campground Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Kirk Creek Campground

And a few more gratuitous doggie photos to wrap up the trip!  Camping in Big Sur and Los Padres National Forest - Doggie Paradise!

Like this post on Big Sur? Here are a few more:

More camping in Big Sur + Camping Curry Recipe
A Weekend in Big Sur
Recipe for Camping Oatmeal
Big Sur & The Trust for Public Land

Local Tourists :: Exploring San Francisco
Hiking Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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September 2, 2013  •  Filed Under: Bay Area, California, Travel 6 Comments

Comments

  1. Ash-foodfashionparty says

    September 2, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    Love Big Sur, haven’t been there in a while. Great pictures and have fun girl!!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      September 6, 2013 at 8:24 am

      Thanks! We had a blast!

      Reply
  2. Molly says

    January 15, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    I’m a new reader and I am loving the site! I found a recipe on healthy aperture and then kept reading through all your adventures. What caught my eye is that I live in Madison so I love reading about a fellow Midwestern girl. I too grew up in a little city in southern WI. You’ve earned a new reader for that right there. Also, tell your husband that his pictures are beautiful. I absolutely love the picture in this post of Maddie and you in the grass with that gorgeous lighting. Cheers!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      January 26, 2014 at 1:57 pm

      Hey Molly! Thank you so much for the sweet note! We miss Madison but we’re having the best adventure in San Francisco. Thank you so much for following along.

      Reply
  3. Cherie Rose Martin says

    February 20, 2017 at 1:40 am

    My hubby and I love Big Sur. Thanks for this beautiful post. Your puppy is cute!!

    Reply
    • Kelly Egan - A Side of Sweet says

      February 21, 2017 at 4:01 pm

      Thank you! We love Big Sur too, so it was fun to share!

      Reply

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Welcome!

San Francisco Food, Fashion, Travel Blogger

Hi! I’m Kelly. I live in San Francisco with my husband, Pat, and our puppy, Maddie. Here you’ll find recipes, DIYs, style, travel & a glimpse into our adventures. To learn a little more about me, Click Here.

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