It has been a LIFE-LONG dream of mine to go to Big Sur, and with a family wedding near Palo Alto, CA… my hubby and I decided to do our first real “family-of-four” road trip up the coast, with a one-night stay at a campground.
I couldn’t be MORE romanced by this place… DAMN California, you are STUNNING.
I mean… are you for real?
The California coastal redwoods are not the “grandaddies” of the redwoods, but they are beautiful and majestic and my kiddos were transfixed!
I wish we took more pictures of our home for the night (and that I had moved those trash bins!). We stayed at Big Sur Riverside Campground and Cabins, and it was so adorable. We had a cozy little cabin that fit the four of us perfectly. They have campsites too… that sit right by a small river that ultimately empties to the ocean (more on that later). We might grab some more peeps with us next year and give “real” camping a shot, although the kiddos were obsessed with our little “log house”. Parker cried when we left and made us promise to return!
If you are in Big Sur, you HAVE to stop at Big Sur Bakery. What a GEM of a place, nestled just off the side of the road! We enjoyed a breakfast of muffins, scones and some insanely yummy cinnamon swirly thingy. Patrick and I also had the best coffee (finally!) of our drive. I can’t wait to go back for dinner!
We are an active family… and whenever we vacation, we make sure to find hikes and destinations that might be off the beaten path. With a four year old and a twenty month old, we also have to search out something that we know we can all handle.
Andrew Molera State Park was perfection.
The one-mile hike through meadows and trees ends at a beautiful beach and fresh-water lake with CRISP, clear water to swim in, and you are very likely to see some wildlife on the way…
Parker was so proud to have made it the entire way on his own.
Meadows, hills, and the Big Sur Rivermouth on one side (the same river from our campground)… and the beach and waves on the opposite side offered the most picturesque spot for a picnic. If you are a surfer, there’s a nice little surf break to take advantage of too!
On our way North, we passed by Point Sur and The Point Sur Lighthouse. Next year we plan to take a tour of this magical (and supposedly haunted) place!
I honestly think I could just drive up and down this coast continuously. I was more calm and at ease than I had been in weeks. Granted… we have had QUITE the month… but I don’t think there’s anything this view couldn’t cure!
… and these two (despite two very small “meltdown moments” in the car)… cured us of any anxiety of hitting the road again!
Big Sur… we’ll be coming for ya next October!
