Best spots for overlanding near Big Sur? Planning Memorial Day weekend trip

Nacimiento-Fergusson is legit! Did it last fall and the views are incredible, especially when you get up to the ridge. Just be aware it's a long, slow grind - took us about 3 hours to cross from the coast side to Highway 101.

For camping, check out some of the dispersed spots along Cone Peak Road. You'll need to get there early though, especially on a holiday weekend. I run Icon Vehicle Dynamics coilovers and still got bounced around pretty good on some sections.

Memorial Day weekend might be tough for Big Sur honestly. Have you considered heading inland to the Los Padres backcountry instead? The Arroyo Seco area has some great trails and you can camp at dispersed sites along Indians Road.

Also, if you're willing to drive a bit further south, the Mojave Desert has tons of options and won't be as crowded. Johnson Valley or Stoddard Wells are both Tacoma-friendly and have established camping areas.

+1 on Nacimiento-Fergusson but definitely check road conditions first! CalTrans sometimes closes sections after heavy rains and we've had a wet winter. The Forest Service website usually has current info.

Pro tip: if you do Big Sur, bring extra water and snacks. Cell service is pretty much non-existent once you get inland, and if you break down it could be a long wait for help. My buddy's Warn winch saved our bacon last year when we slid off into a soft shoulder.

Here's a solid video from SmokyMtnTaco on YouTube about overlanding prep that might be helpful for your trip planning.