VENTANA PUBLIC ACCESS & CAMPGROUND EXPERIENCE GUIDE ventanacamping.com 831.667.2712
VENTANA CAMPGROUND Ventana Campground, located approximately 65 miles north of San Simeon and 30 miles south of Carmel, is an amazing 40-acre redwood canyon. All sites follow the existing contour of the canyon and Post Creek without disturbing its natural beauty. We have three modern bath houses and each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring, with water faucets a short walk away. Our camp store provides firewood, ice and miscellaneous sundries for your convenience. Campers can access scenic and convenient trails leading to the Sur House restaurant and the Ventana Wilderness. We are centrally located near general stores, restaurants, cafes, gift shops, delis, caverns, and the post office in the Big Sur community. Ventana Campground www.ventanacamping.com 831.667.2712
HISTORY NATIVE AMERICANS Three tribes of Native Americans the Olone, Esselen and Salinan were the first people to inhabit the area now known as Big Sur. Archaeological evidence shows that they lived in Big Sur for thousands of years, leading a nomadic hunter gatherer existence. THE POST LEGACY Among Big Sur s early pioneers, the most remarkable is William Post. In 1848, 13-year-old boy Bill Post arrived in Monterey. A native of Connecticut, he was the son of a retired sea captain, and was himself in love with the sea. Bill had sailed the Atlantic as a cabin boy on the Brooklyn before he came ashore at Magdalena Bay with a friend. The next morning, the two lads found their vessel gone, so they walked barefoot to La Paz, where they got into the Mizzen Top, a government ship headed to Yerba Buena (San Francisco). The boys disembarked at Monterey. Penniless, Bill fished in the bay with an old fisherman, trading his fish in town for a dollar. In 1849, the gold rush started and Bill followed everyone to Sacramento. However, when he returned to Monterey, Post was just as poor as he had left. In 1858, he married Anselmo Onesimo, a Rumsen Indian girl from the Carmel Valley. Together, they found a piece of land at Soberanes Creek and decided to head to Big Sur. On March 1, 1859, Charles Francis Post was born in the cabin his father had just finished building. The Posts then had Joseph W. Post in 1862, and later two daughters, Mary and Ellen. Today, the Post legacy is integral to Big Sur. The Post House, located on the Ventana Inn s highway turnoff still remains. The Post Ranch Inn, across on Highway One is built on Post land. BEATNIKS AND HIPPIES In 1937 Highway One brought the 20th Century to Big Sur. Built by convict laborers, the highway paved the way for Big Sur s modern culture of artists, Beats, hippies, tourists and yuppies. Henry Miller moved to Big Sur in 1944, and his 1958 Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymous Bosch inspired a generation of Beat writers to follow in his footsteps. The hippies followed the Beatniks in the 1960s, which contributed to Big Sur is Bohemian counterculture. Well the 1960s are no longer, the culture of New Age Mysticism and experimental psychotherapy still thrives to make Big Sur and all-american haven of modern eclectic nature attuned spirituality. COASTAL DESTINATION MAP Access provided in cooperation with the California Coastal Commission
COAST REDWOODS (Sequoia sempervirens) It s an evergreen tree that lives anywhere from 1200 and 1800 years or more. This specific species include the tallest trees on earth, reaching up to 379 feet. The tallest and oldest trees are found in deep valleys and gullies where year-round streams can flow, and fog drip is regular. Coast redwoods occupy a narrow strip of land approximately 470 miles of the Pacific Northwest. The most southerly Grove is in Monterey County, while the most northerly grove is in the extreme southwestern areas of Oregon. Coast redwood lumber is highly valued for its beauty, lightweight, and resistance to decay. It s lack of resin makes it resistant to fire. CALIFORNIA CONDOR (Gymnogryps californianus) The California condor is the largest North American land bird, weighing from 15 to 31 pounds, they have also have the largest wingspans of any North American bird of up to 10 feet. The adult California condor is a uniform black with the exception of large triangular patches or bands of white on the underside of the wings. California condors are often found near cliffs or large trees which are used for nesting sites. One of the two sanctuaries dedicated to this bird is right here in the Los Padres National Forest, Sespe Condor Sanctuary. They live off large mammalian carcasses and can live up to 60 years. As an adaptation for hygiene, the condor s head and neck have few feathers, which exposes the skin to the sterilizing effects of dehydration and solar ultraviolet light at high altitudes. HIKING TRAILS AND STATE PARKS California Campfire Permit required for any fire in the back country and can be obtained at the Big Sur Station or at www.fs.usda.gov/internet/fse_documents/ stelprdb5443507.pdf POST CREEK TRAIL Wind your way to the lovely box Canyon to the campground entrance where you will find the post Creek trailhead. Meander south along the hillside above scenic Highway one, through the Baylaurel s to Cadillac Flats trailhead parking area. From this convenient location you can access the coast Ridge Road, the coast Ridge Trail and the Sur House Restaurant. COAST RIDGE TRAIL From Cadillac flats trailhead parking area, head south east onto Coast Range Road. Continue uphill to enjoy epic views of Ventana, Post Ranch Inn, Pacific ocean and on a clear day, experience a view of the Big Sur lighthouse. This trail eventually becomes Cohen Peak Road which takes you above the Ventana campground into the Ventana wilderness.
PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK HOURS Sunrise to sunset One for 2.3 miles. The entrance is on the east side of INFO 831.667.2315: parks.ca.gov JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK HOURS Sunrise to sunset DIRECTIONS From Ventana, drive south on Highway One for 8.8 miles. The entrance is on the east side of INFO 831.667.2315: parks.ca.gov PFEIFFER BEACH One for 1.1 miles. Turn off at Sycamore Canyon Road (west side of the highway) to access the beach. PFEIFFER RIDGE LOOP LENGTH: 7.4 miles DIRECTIONS Drive north on Highway Once for 7 miles. Enter the Andrew Molera State Park on the west side of Turn right at the park s entrance.
PFEIFFER FALLS TRAIL LENGTH: 1.4 miles DIRECTIONS: Drive north on Highway One for 2.3 miles. The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park entrance is on the east side of Pass the entrance kiosk and follow signs for Pfeiffer Falls. DINING THE SUR HOUSE HOURS Breakfast: 7:30-10:30 am, Lunch: 11:30 am - 4 pm, Dinner: 6 pm - CLOSE. Reservations strongly recommended. INFO 831.667.4242; ventanabigsur.com/dining/the-sur-house BIG SUR BAKERY & RESTAURANT HOURS Bakery: daily from 8 am Dinner: Wednesday - Saturday from 5:30 pm (closed Sunday - Tuesday) Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am - 2:45 pm One for 0.3 miles. the entrance is on the west side of INFO 831.667.0520; bigsurbakery.com BIG SUR ROADHOUSE HOURS Open for dinner, 5:30-9 pm. Closed Tuesdays. Call for reservations. One for 3.6 miles. The entrance is on the west side of INFO 831.667.2264; bigsurroadhouse.com NEPENTHE HOURS Open daily, 11:30 am - 10 pm DIRECTIONS From Ventana, drive south on Highway One for 1 mile. The entrance is on the west side of the highway. INFO 831.667.2345; nepenthebigsur.com
CAMPGROUND SAFETY REGULATIONS Respect the peacefulness and quiet of the redwoods. QUIET HOURS 10 PM TO 7 AM. No loud noise or loud music at anytime. NO RVS. NO HOOK UPS. NO GENERATORS. All fires must be in fire rings, under control at all times and extinguished before departure. PLEASE DO NOT DEFACE TREES OR STUMPS. Please purchase your firewood in Big Sur. Collecting groundwood is forbidden. No fireworks or fire arms permitted on property. LEAVE NO TRACE on campsites or facilities. Conserve water. Firmly close water taps when not using. Dogs must be quiet, on leash at all times and stay in campsites or roads. Please clean up after your dog. No dogs left unattended. Recycle bins are available for plastic bottles, cans and glass. Please recycle. Maximum five people, one vehicle, two dogs. It is the responsibility of each camper to understand and comply with the safety regulations. They are strictly enforced to ensure a peaceful, safe experience for each guest. Anyone found in violation of these regulations will be asked to leave. PREMISES ARE PATROLLED BY SECURITY AT NIGHT. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE CONTACT 831.667.2712. ENJOY THE REDWOODS.