Stay Here: Big Sur, CA 🥾
Growing up in the Bay Area, beautiful Big Sur is right around the bend for us. We feel super fortunate to live so close to what we think is a national treasure! Big Sur has some of California's best hiking, camping, and coastal views, so this newsletter will include two backcountry spots. It's also home to a few luxury properties that make us drool (see Post Ranch Inn or Ventana Big Sur) and are hotspots for celebrities that want to unwind. Nothing beats driving down Highway 1 on a beautiful, sunny day!
As always, you can browse through our archive if you're looking for other cities to travel to.
Backpacking in Big Sur
Silver Peak Wilderness, CA
In a first for Stay Here, we have a few backpacking trail recommendations (let us know what you think!). If you're ready to go beyond day hiking and car camping (camping at a location where you can drive your car), backpacking (carrying all you need and hiking to your campsite) might be for you! Though Ophelia had to get used to meal planning, optimizing pack weight, and going 💩 in the woods, there's something about the adventure of a backpacking trip that is unparalleled. We'd recommend starting off going with a more experienced backpacker, or reading up on how to go backpacking.
Ophelia has been on two weekend backpacking trips in Big Sur. One is more challenging with a steeper elevation gain: Salmon Creek Trailhead to Buckeye Camp, and another is a bit easier: Cruickshank Trail to Villa Creek.
Salmon Creek Trailhead to Buckeye Camp is a 6.8 mi out and back route, with a 2080 ft elevation gain. The best thing about backpacking in Salmon Creek Wilderness is there are no backpacking permits or reservations needed — all you need is your gear and a campfire permit (which you can watch a video for, then print out and bring). This is rare for backpacking in California — typically, backpacking permits are difficult to get and need to be snagged months in advance. Be sure to check conditions and current fire restrictions before you go, and know that campsites are first come first serve. And of course, leave no trace!
Buckeye Camp is a hidden gem — it is absolutely gorgeous, and you can watch the clouds roll in over the ocean while the sun sets. This unreal photo, along with the two below, taken by Ophelia Ding. <3
Cruickshank Trail to Villa Creek is a 5.2 mi out and back route, with a 1,368 ft elevation gain. Villa Creek Campground isn't as scenic as Buckeye Camp, but you can camp right by the creek under the redwoods for a magical experience. Ophelia would recommend this trail for first-time backpackers, as it is shorter, has less elevation gain, and has incredible views. This trail is a bit busier than Buckeye Camp, but still relatively quiet.
Treebones Resort Big Sur
Big Sur, CA
Starts at $195 night, sleeps 2
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Treebones is a glamping and camping resort perched on the coast — complete with yurts, a tree nest, an autonomous tent collection, and campsites available. Treebones is a family-owned and built business that opened its doors in 2004.
This is the Human Nest, created by Big Sur artist Jayson Fann — a walk-in campsite where you can sleep under the stars.
Glen Oaks Big Sur
Big Sur, CA
Starts at $195 night, sleeps 2
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Glen Oaks Big Sur started as an adobe motor lodge in the 1950s and is now a cozy hotel with motor lodge rooms as well as cabins with access to the Big Sur River.
This seems like the perfect backyard situation.
Honorable mentions
Backpack the famous Sykes Hot Springs trail (~18.9 mi), which just reopened in April after being closed for restoration for a few years.
Camp at Kirk Creek Campground, which consists of 34 prime sites that overlook the Pacific Ocean. There are a few first come, first serve sites available ($35/night).
Camping ($80/night) and glamping (starts at $240/night) under the redwoods at Ventana Campground.
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Next up on Stay Here: Albuquerque, NM. Let us know if you have any recs or favs from the area (reply to stayhere@substack.com)! We'll be sure to give you a shout-out. :)
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