This weekend, a group of friends and I roughed it out in the most amazing camp site in Big Sur. Please note that it has no water, no restrooms, no reservations, nothing . But if you can handle that, then you're in for a treat: Prewitt Ridge.
Our tents on the edge!
The Site
There are actually several camping spots available at Prewitt Ridge, but we decided to take the one right on the edge. With four cars and ten people, this was the perfect spot for us. We basically had the whole mountain to ourselves.
Night time was especially gorgeous. I got to practice my star photography since it was so dark up there. It was amazing to see shooting stars sweeping across the skies.
We woke up in the morning to find the fog sweeping in to the edge of our site. It really felt like we were above the clouds.
Mornings at the campsite. The fog actually extended way past this to the edge, but I wasn't awake enough to photograph it. Sad!
Weather:
In Mid-October, the weather was mid 70's during the day time, and low 40's at night. Make sure to bring alot of jackets, it was quite chilly! One of the nights, it became so windy we had to run around hammering in our tents to make sure it wouldn't fall off the edge.
Tips
Tip #1: Make sure to have at least half a tank of gas before you go up there. The closest Gas station is 16 miles South in Gorda.
Tip #2: Bring a LOT of water. The air is very dry. You wont get another water source unless you drive down the mountain. Even then, water is expensive in Big Sur.
Tip #3: Try to allot time to actually get up to the site. You don't want to be trying to navigate it in the dark if its your first time.
Tip #4: We saw a tarantula and a scorpion near our site. Careful, people!
Tip #5: Make sure to check out if its still fire season. When we went, no fires were allowed, only propane stoves.
Tip #6: If you don't feel like roughing it out and are lucky enough to get a walk-in spot, check out Kirk Creek Campground. Its on the buff and you are adjacent to the ocean.
My handy-dandy notebook with our map for the weekend.
Other Big Sur Moments:
1. I had heard about the Esalen Institute from a co-worker who highly recommended it. And here I am, STRONGLY recommending it to you as well. It was the most surreal experience. Imagine outdoor hot springs on the edge of a cliff. You hear the ocean waves crashing into the cliff below you and you look up to see the most amazing stars and shooting stars around you. Even when I think back, it seems like a hazy memory and extremely awe-inspiring. We were able to snag 8 spots and after we got back to the campsite at 5 AM (It was a long drive back up the mountain), we all slept like babies.
Details:
The Public Hot Springs are open to the public from 1 AM - 3 AM. Reservations for winter time are made same-day starting at 9 AM Sharp. Call 831-667-3047 to make reservations. 4 People per group. 20 Spots available per day.
Tip #7: If you're camping in Big Sur, you won't get any phone network. Go in person to the institute (its about a 20 minute drive from Kirk Creek) and make the reservations at 9 AM. You will guarantee get a spot. If you call in, there's only one person manning the desk and there is a ton of people trying to call in at once. By the time it's 9:30, all the spots will be taken.
2. Sand Dollar Beach
Just across from Plaskett Creek Campground, you can walk through a clearing and come across a great view of Sand Dollar Beach. Someone put a log-tree there, so you can sit and enjoy the view.
3. Julia Pfieffer Big Sur State Park
We went hiking there. Beautiful! There is a 4 mile hike inwards in the forest. The light shined beautifully. It really reminds you how small you are compared to the rest of the world. We just played around, climbed rocks and walked across fallen trees :)
Overall, my first camping experience was a huge success. The people, campsite, nature: all amazing.
I mainly wrote this because there was so little information on this campsite on the internet, so hopefully it helps some people out. Thanks for reading! :) Let me know if you have any questions below.
And to the people who decide to check this place out: Have a great time! I know we sure did.
