Just off Highway 1, Kirk Creek Campground delivers everything you’d expect of an epic Big Sur camping adventure: incredible ocean views (from every single site) and a convenient base camp for exploring some of the most pristine beaches and majestic forests in the state. An expansive network of trails—323 miles worth!—along the coast and into the nearby Los Padres National Forest is a hiker’s dream.
The dog-friendly campsite includes 33 tent/RV sites (no hook-ups or water, including drinking/cooking water) that each have a picnic table, fire ring, and grill, as well as five smaller hike-in sites if you prefer to get a little further off the beaten path. Your camping permit gets you free access to Sand Dollar Beach, the area’s largest sand beach and a popular surfing and fishing spot, and stunning Pfeiffer Beach, where you’ll happily spend hours scouring the shoreline dotted with huge, mossy rock formations.