Kirk Creek Campground
This campground is one of the few sites that is located literally on the Northern California coast. If you're able to snag a permit here, it'll be one of the best camping experience you'll have. You'll get a 180 degree view of the ocean and a mountain range backdrop when you turn around. This is my favorite camping spot, but it is extremely hard to get a reservation- so gooooOOOd luck.
My trip in a nutshell:
Travel Month: June, Friday-Sunday
# of Nights: 2
Permit Required. Yes (see below)
Notes: The Northern CA coast is notorious for unsolicited fog, the chances of it being foggy during your trip is VERY LIKELY. Having that said, it is still gorgeous and worth the patience it'll take to book and plan this trip.
Where/How to Purchase the Permit:
Go to recreation.gov > Kirk Creek Campground > Scroll Through Availability. Pick the dates you want (you probably won't have much of a choice) and purchase your permit.
Just FYI- permits are available 6 months in advance, but completely sells out within an hour of a date being release especially if its a Friday/Saturday. Word of advice, log onto the website and be ready to purchase a permit at 7:00am ON THE DOT. You can sometimes get weekdays available..but its on a random Tuesday in January, when it's likely raining. It took me hours of waiting and lurking the Recreation page to finally reserve a spot here. If you are unable to get a permit ahead of time, they do offer a couple "Hike-In" spots which are reserved on a first come first serve (FF) basis. If you do this, try and come as early as possible and just know there's a possibility they will NOT have availability, this method is never a guarantee.
Campsite Info:
Address: Click Here
When you enter the campsite, you need to check in with the campsite host who will give you a parking permit.
FYI:
Site Host. Yes
Shower. No
Toilets. Yes, several
Dogs allowed. Yes! Super dog friendly.
Party size. Max 8, it's $10 for each person after 6
Parking. Only 2 cars allowed per campsite. There is additional parking across the street, but limited.
My Trip!
If you're driving south on Highway 1, make sure to stop at Bixby Bridge and the Julia Pfeiffer waterfall:
The campsite:
I had two different campsites, one with an ocean front view and one without, both were amazing. Here's the non-ocean front view:
Actually this wasn't as good of a view, so I'll just show you pictures of Kona instead:
OCEAN FRONT:
I have two sets of the same tent lol I got the second for free, check my Backpackn Gear post to see what other gear I use. I often use my backpacking gear for camping because its lightweight and I don't have to purchase two of everything:
Pizza, doggos, clear skies, and a beach view- doesn't get much better:
