Located along Scenic Highway One, about 150 miles south of San Francisco, Big Sur is one of Northern California’s most popular destinations for hiking, camping and a variety of other outdoor activities.  Whether you choose to hike the many trails located in Big Sur’s back country, dance amongst the great Red Woods or attempt to reach the cool fog-covered beaches, you have a great many options to choose from.

When it comes to packing for your trip, what are the essentials and what can you leave behind?  Where you plan to camp in Big Sur will make the difference.  Streamside camping is available in the Big Sur Valley, while ocean view and bluff camping is available in the southern end of Big Sur.

Here’s a guide outlining the basics that you will need for your trip, from sleeping bag and air mattress, to the right tent and backpack.

Backpacks & Tents:

While some campgrounds around Big Sur offer cabins, most do not. The type of backpack you bring depends on how long you intend to stay. A general rule of thumb is to at least bring a daypack to carry around your water, trail snacks, sun block and other trail necessities. If you plan to spend the entire day on the trail, you’ll need a bigger backpack. The more you have in your backpack, the more support you’re going to need. Having a backpack with a waist support strap is a good idea, taking some of the weight off your back and shoulders. It’s also essential that you have a little bit of space between the backpack and your back. This will eliminate discomfort when walking along the trails.

Before embarking on a Big Sur camping trip, you need to make sure first that there is availability at the camp ground you want to use. While some of the camp grounds do accept reservations, most of them are in fact first come, first serve, and have a maximum number of allowed campers. When it comes to choosing the right tent, its best that you choose a tent that will be roomy enough to be comfortable in, light enough to be portable, and a cinch to assemble.

Because of Big Sur’s very diverse topography, it’s impossible to generalize the weather, but Big Sur typically enjoys a mild climate year-round. Expect a sunny, dry summer and fall, and a cool, wet winter, with coastal temperatures ranging from the 50s at night to the 70s by day from June through October, and in the 40s to 60s from November through May. Make sure your tent is appropriate for whatever season you expect to be traveling in, and that it is water proof.

Sleeping Bags:

While the type of sleeping bag you choose should also be dependent on the season you are traveling, a versatile 3-season tent might be your best bet. Lightweight, yet comfortable, these tents are good all year round. Purchasing some sort of a sleeping pad or air mattress is a wise idea. While the terrain at any given campground should be a bit more even, you never know what to expect. You don’t want to wake up one morning for a hike with horrible back pain. A little extra layer of comfort under your sleeping bag is a smart move.

Clothes:

Whatever season you are traveling in, bringing both warm and lightweight clothes is an absolute must! Located so near to the Coast, Big Sur dips into the 50s in the summer and fall and the 40s during the winter and spring, so you need to be prepared. It’s a good idea to dress in layers for sleeping and for early morning hikes. Bringing shorts and swim trunks is also a smart idea, should you decide to wade in the rivers and ocean. A hat is also a must to protect you from the sun, and a good, sturdy pair of hiking boot are essential. Bring a rain jacket or poncho as well, especially if traveling in the winter and spring, as that is the park’s rainy season.

Favorite Big Sur Campgrounds:

While the natural beauty is all around you wherever you go in Big Sur, here are some of the best in terms of surrounding activities and natural wonders.

• Pfieffer Big Sur State Park: With 204 campsites, Pfeiffer offers a picturesque 1,006 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows plus an abundance of wildlife. Nearby hiking trails and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and the Big Sur Valley make Pfieffer Big Sur State Park a must see destination. The park closes in the Fall and reopens in the Spring.
• Andrew Molera State Park: With 24 first come, first served campsites, this site is a third of a mile from where you park your car. Located in a beautiful meadow, the Andrew Molera State Park contains 4,800 beautiful acres, with the Big Sur River running right through the park. Miles of trails wind through the meadows, beaches and hilltops of this topographically diverse park.
• Ventana Campground: This gorgeous campground is set in a 40-acre redwood grove and features 80 private, secluded campsites located right on the canyon floor. Each site includes a picnic table and adjustable fire ring with drinking water available nearby.

Thanks go to Jamie Sward for sharing this terrific article with Wicked Good Travel Tips!

]]> http://www.wickedgoodtraveltips.com/2010/03/hiking-and-camping-in-big-sur/feed/ 0 http://www.wickedgoodtraveltips.com/2009/04/choose-fiji-over-of-tahiti-to-save-a-bundle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=choose-fiji-over-of-tahiti-to-save-a-bundle http://www.wickedgoodtraveltips.com/2009/04/choose-fiji-over-of-tahiti-to-save-a-bundle/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:06 +0000 Susan http://www.wickedgoodtraveltips.com/?p=1581 An exotic South Pacific vacation is at the top of most of our dream vacation lists. Having spent time in both Tahiti and Fiji, I can tell you without hesitation,”Go – these destinations will knock your socks off”.   The islands are every bit as enchanting and sensual as the pictures would have you believe!

Two concerns typically hold us back; the long flight and the expense.  While there are few solutions to making the flights seem shorter, there is news on the pricing front.  Earlier this month the Fijian government devalued the Fijian Dollar by 20%.  Today the US Dollar will buy you 2.24 Fijian Dollars (more than double), while Tahiti uses the Euro for its currency -  1 Euro will cost you $1.32 in US Dollars.  The US Dollar will definitely bring you far more luxury buying power in Fiji.  Couple the falling rate of the Fijian Dollar with  the declining number of tourists taking extended vacations this year, and the scene it set for some dramatic pricing initiatives.

In years past Tahiti took the top limelight for exotic luxury resorts and private island retreats, but Fiji has been introducing ultra luxury resorts of their own in recent years.  Names like Jean-Michel Cousteau, Vatulele, Nukubati, Castaway, Namale, and Nukubati Island Resorts (just to name a few) all have the WOW factor.  A quick search on Expedia for availability in Fiji in late June (enter Nadi as the destination) revealed lots of hotel rates in the $50 – $300 per night range.  A similar search in Tahiti (with Bora Bora as the destination) showed most rates in the $600 range.

So the moral of this story is be aware of foreign exchange rates and travel where your dollar will purchase ultra luxury at a great price - in this case say Bula to Fiji!

I began by checking the weather all along the route in order to decide which days to travel on.  Next I used the mileage calculator to decide how many miles (hours of driving) we would do each day.  Then I could check the exits in the areas we wanted to stop to find the names of all hotels and restaurants.  I ended up printing out a list of hotels at each area we planned to stop in, so we could decide which exit would suit our needs the best.  The I-95 Exit Guide also enables you to check gas prices all along the route, has road construction warnings, an RV Parks directory , list of outlet shopping malls, rest areas and even theme parks in case you’re traveling with the kids.  In other words…. everything you’ll ever need to know about the route before you leave home.  This site is an invaluable resource for road trip warriors heading south for some sun and fun – check it out http://www.i95exitguide.com.

AND for those of you heading south from Michigan, you’ll be happy to know there’s a new I-75 Exit Guide as well.

Can’t you just hear the deep purrrring roar of your vintage italian sports car as you burst into a medieval hillside hamlet, sun glasses on, hair blowing in the breeze, and don’t forget the long flowing silk scarf!  This vision of sophisticated abandon can be yours when you travel with the Italy By Vintage Car tour company.  This luxe tour operator specializes in planning flexible driving itineraries through Italy’s most spectacular scenery by wonderful vintage automobiles.

Each carefully planned “Grand Tour” itinerary includes suggested daily touring with stops at extraordinary places including wineries, markets and historical sites.  Tour participants (no more than eight) can choose to “follow the leader” or strike out on their own.  A worry free vacation is assured as each tour group is accompanied by a “valet-mechanic” who checks the tires, tunes the engines, pumps the gas, and keeps everyone rolling merrily along, and everyone stays in contact by cell phone.  You don’t even need to bother loading your luggage in the boot – just leave your packed bags in your room, and they will magically appear at your next evening’s destination.   This company promises travel with style, comfort and service to surpass expectations.  Read up on all the touring details at their website VintageCarTour.com

If you’re within striking distance of the Northeast or Northwest of the USA you are blessed – these regions hold an embarrassment of riches with the nation’s premier wineries dotted along coastal roads.

Here’s are a list of great websites for finding Wine Trail Routes all across the United States:

Wine Trail Traveler. Chart routes in 9 prominent wine states in the US, and great reviews of wineries in 12 states, Canada and Italy.
Wine Trails of Washington State
OregonWineCountry.org – Interactive Wine Explorer, with over 250 wineries
California Wine Country Getaways
Texas Wine Trail – Who knew??
Virginia Wine Trails
Connecticut Wine Trail
New England Wineries

Salute!

Here are resources to find the peak color in your area.
Foliage Network – Covers Northeast, Southeast and Midwest States.
US Forest Service – Foliage Sites by State and Region.

Go New England – Check out their listing of corn field mazes!
Yankee Foliage – Great scenic drive routes and photo taking tips.

New England By State:
Vermont: Foliage-Vermont, 1-800-Vermont
New Hampshire: VisitNH, Foliage Trains
Massachusetts: MassGov, Davis FarmLand
Maine: Maine Foliage
New York: ILoveNY, NY Fall Foliage
Connecticut: CT State Tourism