Big Sur Camping 2016

We have lots of news to report from Big Sur. First, around Piedras Blancas, Hwy 1 is falling into the sea, so construction of a 3 mile stretch further inland is currently taking place.  This road on higher ground will replace the old section that hugs the sea.  Expect a traffic slow-down here as well as 2 places further north on Hwy 1 that funnel into 1 lane.  See article:  http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/community/cambrian/article39489234.html

The folks at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park have been busily using the infusion of money it received from a big pocket donor.

You will see a colorful new sign in front of the restaurant . . .

. . . and some new half-timber amphitheater seating . . .

. . and a new way to camp!  As an experiment, the park is testing a new primitive cabin (created by a team from Cal Poly, SLO) as an option. It does not have a bathroom, but comes with handicap lanes to the nearby showers. It is adjacent to the old entrance to the campground.  Check it out at Site 143.

As a result of heavier rainfall (and the fact that we were here in late Spring, perhaps), the river and Pfeiffer Falls have more water this year.

The rangers told us that Big Sur is ever-busy, and the camp is sold out all year. It is expecting a record-breaking summer crowd because it has been discovered by people all over the world via TripAdvisor, Yelp, etc. We ran into many foreigners and had to navigate numerous large bike groups, pedaling north to south on Hwy 1. Although the park was sold out, it seemed more peaceful in early June than in July. Numerous camp sites were empty, children were scarce and the wildlife was more abundant.

If you look closely at the center of this picture, you can make out a family of deer running through the empty campsite next to ours (Campsite 141).

The critters are getting tamer and tamer.  The jays have become more fearless and aggressive.  At The River Inn, a group of diners on the patio had to move indoors because the jays were dive-bombing their table and grabbing their food.  Above: Pete, the squirrel whisperer, is training his new pet.

And the Spring wildflowers were crazy. Lots of poppies, hemlock, mustard, thistle, etc.

Join us for a 4 minute hike along the shoreline trails of Garrapata State Park.  They were ablaze with spring color. We hiked two different trails on two adjacent days. You can see how much difference a day makes when comparing the wind in the different scenes. (Click on the symbol to the right of “HD” to watch full screen)

Our favorite trail was the Sobranes Canyon Loop Trail, complete with an outdoor bathtub.  It starts at the grove of pine trees across from Garrapata State Beach. Join us for a 4 minute version of this 90 minute hike. The trail goes inland and follows a meandering river. We had to cross over the water numerous times by way of rocks and logs. The canyon trail leads up to a shady grove of old redwoods. We can’t believe we have missed this area all these years. We highly recommend it. (Click on the symbol to the right of “HD” to watch full screen.)

Point Lobos has really gotten popular.  By the end of the week–school let out–the only parking spots left were on the street.  The campers and buses were piling up.

China Cove has been closed off and is being used as a nursery. A docent told us that the best time of year to visit is in late April, when the seals calve here and the wildflowers are in full glory.  The weather really does not change much from month to month.

We found a great place for chowder and beer on the Monterey Pier (Shake’s Old Fisherman’s Grotto) while on a bike ride from Lover’s Point in Asilomar to the end of the bike path up the coast at Seaside. This 10 mile ride has become a staple of our annual visits.