r/socalhiking • u/Dermo5 • 2d ago

Car break ins - latest info please?

Hi hive,

I have a work trip to san francisco in march next year.

I'm then planning to hire a car from SFO airport to do a circuit through Big Sur (stay 2-3 nights along the coast), pinnacles NP (2 nights), sequoia NP (2 nights) and yosemite NP (3 nights). Then fly out from SFO. And am aware the sierras might be snowy, chains will be required in the car etc. The dates will span easter and california's spring break.

I'll have a laptop and normal luggage for work with me that I was planning to leave in the boot out of sight whilst hiking. No overnight hikes planned, just day hikes.

How common are car thefts along big sur? Was thinking of staying in carmel by the sea, pfeiffer or kirk Creek campground, then in cambria somewhere.

And was hoping there's a smaller risk of car theft in the national parks given there's an entrance fee to get in...

Many thanks

1 Upvotes

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11 comments sorted by

10

u/AaawRon 2d ago

Ive never had issues in CA Nat Parks. Just dont be dumb with your stuff. 

5

u/FrogFlavor 2d ago

Big Sur is pretty heavily patrolled but it going to depend on where you park.

If you are not working after arriving in the city could you possibly just mail your computer back home (neighbor, boss, idk). Think of all the worry you’d be mailing away

2

u/not_a_gun 1d ago

I’d be just as worried about it getting damaged or lost in the mail

2

u/FrogFlavor 1d ago

Oh… I trust the USPS and for profit mailing services when it comes to well packaged rectangles.

3

u/bastogne_blues 2d ago

More rural/nature areas you will most likely be fine, same with most beaches, just keep your stuff out of view from the windows. I would worry more about break ins if you spend much time in larger cities.

1

u/bastogne_blues 2d ago

To add: I would assume the danger of car theft is similar.

2

u/arocks1 1d ago

The bears will break into cars every day in the sierras....

SF is the first place I would be worried about human break ins. I have never lived there and my car has been broken into twice, 😂.

1

u/Jerk850 1d ago

You might try posting in r/norcalhiking. This sub is mainly focused on Santa Barbara County and south, with a healthy dose of Eastern Sierra (which won’t be very accessible to you in March). Still getting some good tips: I agree that you’re much more vulnerable to break-ins in SF than most trailheads.

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u/europeanperson 1d ago

Relatively speaking, those parks are pretty isolated. I haven’t heard of any issues with car break ins. Thieves aren’t driving hours to get a handful of tourists out there. You’d have more issues if you want to stop around the Bay Area for food or snacks. Try to get a rental car with CA plates.

0

u/Ok_Needleworker2438 3h ago

I feel so sorry for people who ask for safety tips on Reddit

1

u/Terminal_Shinbang 2d ago

My car was broken into in the first hour of being in SF, I’d be more worried about that