Paskett Rock, Big Sur

Paskett Rock, Big Sur

3/21/11

Stayed at Paskett Creek Campground in Big Sur.  Located apporx. half way between San Simeon & Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP on the uphill side of Rt 1, this campground has approx 40 basic sites.  While it can accommodate RVs up to 35 ft, there are no hookups & many of the sites are not very level.  The campground has large trees for protection from the weather, which is important this time of year due to frequent storms. This is a Forest Service CG & site cost at this time is $22 per site per night.  I had read several bad reviews concerning porta potties, but the restrooms were open & I saw no problems.

This is a wonderful place to stay for a few days because its location allows you to really enjoy the essence of Big Sur.  Situated on a slopping plateau between the Mts. to the east & the Pacific Ocean, there are some good short hikes in the area with great views of the coast & the Mts.

Leaving the south end of the campground via a service road & crossing Rt 1, you will find a trial that will take you approx a half mi. across  the plateau to Paskett Rock.  Which juts out at the south end of a very small bay.  From this rock you can see for miles up & down the coast & get great views of the Mts.  This is also a great place to watch sunsets!

Exiting via the campground entry & walking north on Rt 1 a short distance will bring you to Sand Dollar Beach  parking lot, a day use area, user fees for this area are included in camping fees.  A short trail with stairs will take you down to the beach & the small bay.  The upper part of the beach is cobble stone & difficult to walk on.  At low tide a sandy beach is exposed which allows easy walking.

There are several dirt roads within a few miles of here that go a ways up the side of the Mts.  These can be rough & are not useable when wet.  There is the Wood Bone resort with a great views, a restraunt, pool, yurts & cabins a couple of mile south.  Along this strech of Rt. 1 there are many pull overs with great views & access to the ocean.

Approx. 4 mi north of Paskett Creek CG on Rt 1 is the FS Kirk Creek Camp Ground.  This CG has fewer spaces & is perched on a bluff above the ocean.  With no trees it is much more exposed to the weather but offers excellent views from your campsite.  

Near this CG is the western end of Macimento Fergusson Road,  This narrow paved road climbs the side of the Mt. using several switch backs with each turn offering a more spectacular view than the last one.  Near the top, the road then follows the side of the Mt. up a valley east until it crest the ridge.  At the ridge top there are roads going N & S along the ridge.  Once over the ridge the road decends down the side of a wooded valley, with more great views thru the trees, to the Ponderosa CG on the creek.  Traveling east it is approx. 30 mi to Hunter Liggett army base  & another 30 miles to King City & Rt 101.  The section of Los Padres NF north of Hunter Liggett is very nice & this route is a good way to get there.  See article called “The Indians” when I get around to posting it.  This is a rugged exit from Bug Sur, but one I highly recommend because it is beautiful country from beginning to end. I did it in RV!