Roadtrip to Big Sur, CA: Camping in Limekiln State Park

California, I love you. Among the many gems Mother Nature has created in Northern California, Big Sur is absolutely stunning, offering vast scenic views of Big Sur's very blue waters off of Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1), just wait for the fog to burn away!

LIMEKILN SP CAMPGROUNDS: This campground is at the southern most part of Big Sur along PCH, but it is a great starting point, because after you've hiked the short trails in Limekiln, you can make your way outside of Limekiln State park, drive further up North along PCH to check out various viewpoints, such as McWay Falls, Pfeiffer Beach and Bixby Bridge. Get that road trip playlist ready!

The campground has 24 campsites, equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. The camp sites are split between being a walking distance from the beach or amongst the redwood forest.

HIKING: There are two hiking trails within Limekiln SP. One trail leads you to double 100 foot waterfalls, with a small pool to dip in at the end of the trail. The second trail will lead you to four historic limekilns that used to be a Limekiln-smelting operation in the 1800s. Both trails are a trek through beautiful redwoods and less than a mile. The paths of both trails are mostly paved throughout, with the exception of a few makeshift bridges (planks of wood) that will help you cross over streams. There are also fallen trunks that you might have to maneuver around, but it isn't difficult to get around.

TIPS:

• FIRE BUILDING: Know at least 2 ways to build a fire. Make sure you have dry wood (burns easier) versus wet wood, which is slightly heavier due to moisture. You can buy wood from the camp ranger on site.
• POISON OAK & TICKS: Make sure to stay on the paved path because if you get off trail, you may come in contact with poison oak. If you do not know what poison oak looks like, familiarize yourself with what it looks like so you will know what to look out for during your trail. If you do come in contact with it poison oak, avoid touching your face or other parts of your body that is not covered, to prevent spreading. Also, know at least 2 ways as to how to get rid of a tick if one happens to latch onto you!
• TO SWIM OR NOT TO SWIM: You can get definitely in the water for a refreshing dip, but it is not big enough nor deep enough to swim in. The water is cold, so be prepared for that!
• PROTECT YOUR FEET: Water shoes is a must if you plan on taking a dip at Limekiln waterfalls at the end of the hike. If you do get in the water, you will be walking on rocks, so water shoes are strongly recommend. There are giant fallen trunks at the bottom of the waterfall, that you can sit on, but at your own risk because it is rather slippery. Also, hiking shoes rather than shoes you would wear for running or to the gym would be better. The extra sturdy support and tread beneath hiking shoes go a long way.
• THOSE SQUIRRELS: Do not leave your food out on the picnic table at your camp site. Store them away in some kind of secure storage box, cooler or in your car, because the squirrels here will eat all your food if you leave them out while your away!
• MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT: A headlamp or flashlight will come in handy to guide you at night, when all the fire pits are out and it is pitch black outside, and you need to go to the restroom...
• IT'S FREEZIN' UP IN HERE: Bring a change of clothes and extra layers to keep you warm. For extra comfort, even a cozy blanket to wrap around you wouldn't be a bad idea, because it does get cold in the evening. The weather conditions vary, depending on the season. Weather in northern california is usually and notoriously unpredictable, but the general consensus is that it will be chilly. Make sure to check the weather before make your way up to Big Sur.
• DIGITAL DETOX: I, personally, noticed that there is mostly no service around big sur, so to save battery life on your mobile device (if you plan on taking photos with it), put your phone on airplane mode.

WHAT TO SEE/DO: These are just a few others things I was able to do outside of Limekiln SP during a 3-day, 2-night camping trip...

• Hike at Julia Pfeiffer State Park
• Sightseeing at McWay Falls
• Chill at Pfeiffer Beach (look out for the purple sand & keyhole rock)
• Sightseeing at Bixby Bridge