Skip the hotel and the reservation stress. Veterans Memorial Park is Monterey's only first come, first served campground, just minutes from downtown, the Wharf, and the Aquarium.

Everything you need to know about camping at Kirk Creek Campground in Big Sur — ocean-view sites, how to actually snag a reservation, and the best nearby spots to explore.

Everything I actually pack when camping with my three kids, from the tent and sleeping bags to the snacks and the one item that changed everything. Plus a free printable checklist.