Camp at Ventana Campground, Big Sur

This campground is a gem when it comes to Big Sur camping, book here. Each site includes a parking spot, a campfire ring with grill, a picnic table, and plenty of space for 1-2 tents. There are multiple immaculate restroom facilities with showers, clean trash enclosures (emptied and sanitized daily), and a general store that sells firewood should you run out early. If you don't feel like eating camp food during your entire stay, trek up the hill to woodsy-chic Ventana Inn for a top-notch meal – I recommend the steak, the burger, and the bloody mary.

Since the campground is covered in redwood tree canopy, it stays relatively cool here year-round. You can see glimpses of the stars and the moon at night and glimmers of sunlight filtering through during the day. There are access points to various hikes around the Ventana Wilderness, and it is not uncommon to catch sightings of wildlife (condors and deer, especially). Quiet time starts around 10, though the crowd here never really gets rowdy since it draws mostly couples and small families.

Relax into the night as your campfire dies down. Get lulled to sleep by a mellifluous creek under a blanket of temperate fog/mist while surrounded by gentle giant redwoods.