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🏋️ Physical Requirements:
Ability for adults to hike 0.5 miles to the campsite with a 25-pound (or so) backpack over varied terrain (rocks, roots, wooden stairs); kids should be able to carry a small pack. Guide will ask participants to help carry in firewood/charcoal (two pieces of firewood, for example)
The trail to the campsites is gentle with rocks, roots and wooden stairs. Trail is NOT suitable for wagons
Comfortable with basic camping activities and some river wading
Important: Children must be strong, confident swimmers to participate in Big Sur River Gorge activities (alternative activities provided for non-swimmers)
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📅 BIG SUR FAMILY ADVENTURE ITINERARYEstimated and subject to change due to weather/trail conditions, etc
🏖️ FRIDAY
4:00 PM: Check in; 0.5 mile hike to campground 🥾
5 PM: Make camp, kids enjoy arts and crafts, plus games 🏕️🎨
6 PM: Short hike to explore campground, monarch butterfly grove (hopefully, we'll see a few but it's early in the season) and the Big Sur River 🦋🌊
7:30 PM: Dinner, s'mores around the campfire (fire conditions permitting) 🍽️🔥📍 SATURDAY
8 AM: Wake up, have breakfast and hike out to parking lot ☀️🥞
10:30 AM: Meet day trippers at nearby Big Sur Lodge for gorge adventure! 🏨
11 AM: Drive to gorge trailhead, hike about 1 mile to river 🚗🥾
11:45 AM: Families with strong swimmers can join rock scrambling adventure to gorge; families with non-swimmers can enjoy water and rock play in the area 🏊♀️🪨
12 PM: Group reaches gorge, has lunch, swims 🥪💎
2 PM: Group returns to part of river where we left non-swimmer group, return to cars 🚶♀️
3 PM: Drive 25 minutes to see McWay Falls 🚗💧
4:30 PM: Choose your adventure: Kayaking on Big Sur River (NOTE: Must bring your own kayak, highly recommend inflatable kayak) OR Hike to Andrew Molera Beach, wonderful beach play with driftwood (2 miles out-and-back) 🛶🏖️
6:45 PM: Return to camp for dinner, campfire circle with s'mores (fire conditions permitting) 🍽️🔥🌅 SUNDAY
8 AM: Wake up and have breakfast ☀️🥞
9 AM: Informal talent show
9:30 AM: Break camp and hike out 🏕️🥾
10:30 AM: Check out nature center to learn about efforts to save the bald eagle and California Condor 🦅
11 AM: Drive to the nearby PURPLE beach and enjoy before we have a goodbye lunch/snack 💜🏖️
NOON: Celebration lunch/snack at an iconic Big Sur restaurant with spectacular views, about 15 minutes drive 🍽️🌊✨ -
Campfire (depends on park advisory due to conditions at time of our trip; can use gas stove for S’mores if needed)
Drinking water
Fire ring for basic grilling
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
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Add this adventure to your cart and checkout!
Join the WhatsApp chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JDdqRurz3q4J9mkoDpf8Ps
Sign the waiver (EACH adult joining must sign one; it will be sent to your email)
Complete loaner kit request: https://bit.ly/loanerkit
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FLAT FEE FOR WEEKEND
CAMPERS
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL DUAL-INCOME FAMILY: $325 ($375 after Aug. 20)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY: $250 ($295 after Aug. 20)
DAY TRIPPERS (Saturday, Sept. 20) EARLY BIRD 🐦 DUAL-INCOME FAMILY: $125 per family until Aug. 20; $140 after Aug. 20
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY: $100 per family until Aug. 20; $115 per family until Aug. 20Family means you, your partner and kids.
One tent + one car per family.
After 1 kid, $20 charge for each additional child to cover treats, educational materials and other fees (ADD ‘additional child’ in pricing types to your cart).
No refunds are provided 60 days before departure date.
Camping trip takes place rain or shine
Prices increase after Aug. 20 so book early. SPOTS ARE LIMITED!
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We have individual campsites in pairs, so two sites here and there sprinkled throughout the campground.
Some sites have shade; some do not. Some sites are near the restroom or water spigot; some are not.
Terrain is flat.
Miranda will assign families to campsites, trying to match those with kids of the same ages or friends, but that is not guaranteed. -
What We Provide
We are focused on providing the best family camping experience possible by offering families the chance to join a community of like-minded families who love the outdoors. We handle all the planning for busy parents, organizing well-planned, fun and educational activities like hiking, kayaking and caving, while providing camp classic experiences like S'mores and stories around the campfire, plus arts and crafts. Our goal is to create memorable adventures while managing all the logistics so you can focus on making memories with your family.
Campsite Reality & Expectations
We work hard to secure the best available campsites for our group while managing the realities of California's extremely competitive camping landscape. Booking campsites in California is challenging, with only seconds to secure anything when reservations open, if availability exists at all.
Campsite conditions vary significantly and may include:
Different ground surfaces (grass, dirt, or gravel)
Sloped or uneven terrain
Varying levels of shade (from heavily wooded to open sun)
Different views and proximity to water features
Natural wildlife including wasps, insects, and other critters
Varying noise levels from other campers
Different facility conditions and accessibility
Parking offsite: In some cases, families will have to park in overflow parking when number of vehicles exceed the maximum per site. Overflow parking could be a walk or drive away. The guide will drive you to your car if need be.
Group camping logistics: When group campsites aren't available, we book individual campsites as close together as possible, though proximity cannot always be guaranteed. In these situations, we designate one site as "Camp HQ" for group activities like S'mores, arts and crafts, and community gatherings. You may need to walk or drive short distances between your assigned campsite and Camp HQ.
Weather and environmental factors: Outdoor conditions including weather, temperature, and natural elements are beyond our control and can affect your camping experience.
Agreement
We do not make promises about specific campsite features, views, terrain, or conditions. Our commitment is to secure the best available sites and provide exceptional programming and community experiences. By booking with us, you acknowledge and accept these conditions as part of the authentic outdoor camping experience.
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All logistics. We plan the itinerary
Parking (1 car per family).
Guided hikes, scavenger hunt and educational activities; arts and crafts for the kids 🎨🪀
An iron-on patch as a memento of the camping trip plus a small journal for parents to document the adventure! (campers only)
A digital guide for our adventure that includes natural + cultural history
A camping checklist
Assistance with camping set-up
S’mores kit for the group 🔥🪵🍫
Firewood (we’ll each need to carry some firewood in!)
Charcoal (we’ll each need to carry some charcoal in!)
You’ll also get access to:
First-aid kit
Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; we have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, hiking poles, etc. Complete loaner kit request form
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Food (we can potluck the side dishes if people want)
Camping gear (though I have some hiking gear and limited camping gear that you can rent: loaner kit request form)
Parking: For campers, we have space for 8 vehicles and after that would have to pay the parks entrance fee of $10. You can get a Cal State Parks pass at your library for free parking but it only covers the daytime (not night). Day trippers SHOULD get the Cal State Parks pass for free entry to the parks.
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The weather reaches the mid 70s during the day and low 50s-high 40s overnight. Please ensure that you have a season-3 sleeping bag (which is the most common one; it's great for everything except snow). Here are some tips to keep you warm overnight: https://www.familyadventuresquad.org/blog/winter-camping-tips
WHERE WE ARE STAYING