The excursion begins at 3 pm at our secluded base camp in the beautifully wooded Big Sur Campground. After everyone has settled in, we will enjoy a festive dinner under California’s star studded skies. After dinner, we will hike up to Buzzards Roost to watch the sun set into the glowing pacific. We’ll return to our base camp to gather around the evening campfire and savor warm drinks and desserts as we discuss our schedule of activities for the week.

After preparing for our day in the field, we will gather for a hearty breakfast buffet. Once we arrive at the project site, park biologists will provide further information and direct us on this important conservation effort to restore Big Sur’s unique ecosystems. The project will wrap up by early afternoon at which time we will head back to camp for an entertaining cooking demonstration and delicious dinner.

After our scrumptious dinner we will drive south on Highway 1 to Partington Cove, a little visited area but very beautiful section of Big Sur. From there we will head further south to photograph beautiful McWay Falls, the only waterfall in Big Sur that spills into the Pacific. Upon our return we will enjoy wine tasting and chocolate pairing around the campfire, a fitting way to conclude the day with laughter and great conversations.

After waking up to the savory aromas of a bountiful breakfast, we will prepare for our day in the field. Today we will hike out to the spectacular cliffs and coastlines at Pfeiffer State Beach to enjoy a photography workshop. There are amazing coastal features and beautiful beaches where we can relax and take in the sites. After enjoying our last hike together we’ll gather for a Farewell Ceremony and reflect upon our shared experiences on this extraordinary volunteer vacation.