Big Sur
Prewitt Ridge Road - Off-road Camping
May 27th 2022.
This was our first ever off-roading camping trip and Big Sur was one of the very few spots we found around the Bay Area. We went during Memorial Day Weekend, we left SF on May 27th at 4am and got to Big Sur around 10am (5-6 hour drive no traffic). By the time we got there, there were VERY FEW spots left to camp and the very first spot we found, we got kicked out. As you drive up Prewitt Ridge, there is no vehicle camping on the right side (I forgot what the park ranger said as to the reason why). You can do ground tents but no vehicle tents and try to remember this so you don’t get a ticket! You also need to get a campfire permit to use stovetops, super easy to get online (takes about 5mins). Also, there were no campfires allowed when we went (fine of $5000 per person if you get caught).
We checked the weather app, it said it’ll be 50s to high 60s so we packed heavy jackets! But since we’re very high up the mountain, it was actually in the 80s during the daytime so always remember to pack summer clothes! When we went, at night it did get down to the low 50s and when you wake up, expect to be sweating.
What you cannot forget to bring for 2 people:
expect to use 2 gallons of water per day for washing dishes, hands, rinsing your body, making food, and etc. This doesn’t include your drinking water.
load up on lots of ice on highway 1 !!
butane cans - we only had the tiny portable stove and only brought 2 cans. This was a big lesson learned. Because it’s so windy up in the mountains, the gas usage goes by so fast! So expect to use 2 a day to be safe especially if you want to hotpot at night because it gets chilly!
sunscreen and bug spray
As to what bugs we saw…
there were lots of lizards, fruit flies, bees, butterflies, moths, and huge ants.
This is the route you take, it should lead you to highway 1, there will be little to no service! Make sure you download all the necessary maps!!
Overall, it was a great first trip. Super relaxing and enjoyable. You wake up to an amazing view, cook some food, go on a little walk, and come back to enjoy some cold beers.
