The biggest and most developed campground in Big Sur sits at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (Hwy. 1, 800/444-7275, www.parks.ca.gov, $20). With 212 individual sites, each of which can take two vehicles and eight people or an RV (32 feet or shorter, trailers 27 feet max, dump station on-site), there’s enough room for almost everybody here.

During the summer, a grocery store and laundry facilities operate within the campground for those who don’t want to hike down to the lodge, and plenty of flush toilets and hot showers are scattered throughout the campground.

In the evenings, walk down to the Campfire Center for entertaining and educational programs. If you prefer a quieter and less asphalt-oriented camping experience, check out the hike-in and bike-in campgrounds that make up part of the Pfeiffer Big Sur complex.

Pfeiffer Big Sur fills up fast in the summertime, especially on weekends. Advance reservations (800/444-7275, www.reserveamerica.com) are highly recommended.

Note that some campground sites were scheduled to be under construction until December 2009.