BIG SUR
A collection of our favorites and essential Big Sur,
as well as suggestions on where to eat and drink and things to see and do,
and some Big Sur history.
OUR FAVORITES
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HENRY MILLER LIBRARY
The Henry Miller Library is a Big Sur institution - an amazing bookstore and library that houses a collection of the late author's literary and artistic works, as well as a range of books on Big Sur's history, from the native tribes to Beat poets. This is a treasured, one-of-a-kind destination.
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LIMEKILN STATE PARK
A Walsh-family landmark, Limeklin State Park offers a singular experience in Big Sur: access to both the beach and redwoods in the same park. Day-use offers easy hikes through the redwoods and into the historic lime kilns that are protected among the giant trees. Beach access takes you to a beautiful cove where shells and jade can be found, and sea life spotting is frequent. *This is about 40 minutes from Big Sur proper.
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ESALEN INSTITUTE
The Esalen Institute is a spiritual center with major heft and history in Big Sur. The only way you can access it without being on a planned retreat is to call in for an appointment for their late night baths in their hot spring tubs that hug the cliffs over the Pacific. Hours are 1am-3am. Call ahead for a spectacular experience! (831) 667-3047, www.esalen.org
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BIG SUR BAKERY
We just can’t get enough. Stop in for coffee, pastries and baked goods (which are incredible), pizza, sandwiches, wine, and downright delicious local food. The absolute best!
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JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK
The site of the famous waterfall cascading hundreds of feet down onto the beach. This view is visible right off of Highway 1, and can be seen even if you only have a small amount of time. If you have more time, this is a great park for rigorous hikes, with great views!
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OTTER SPOTTING
One of the best parts of the Big Sur drive is pulling off to the side of Highway 1 and looking across kelp beds for otters. Hunting for these furry friends with a pair of binoculars in one hand and a glass of Ridge in the other is one of Cara's favorite pasttimes. Watch for whales on the outside, and closer in look for seals and dolphins.
EATING + DRINKING
+ BIG SUR BAKERY
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, with take-away options, pastries, and coffee. Our favorite all around, even just to sit and have a snack and a glass of wine. // 47540 Highway 1, 831.667.0520, www.bigsurbakery.com
+ BIG SUR DELI
Deli in the heart of Big Sur with made-to-order sandos, burritos, and beer, wine + snacks for sale. Great little resource for stocking your hotel room with snacks and drinks. // 47520 Highway 1, (831) 667-2225, www.bigsurdeli.com
+ BIG SUR RIVER INN RESTAURANT
Casual spot with a variety of food options for breakfast, lunch + dinner in a rustic setting on the Big Sur River. // 46840 Highway 1, 831.667.2700, www.bigsurriverinn.com
+ BIG SUR ROADHOUSE
Cajun-inspired gourmet cooking in a modern atmosphere, at the Glen Oaks Hotel. Open for breakfast, lunch + dinner. Note: this is where Friday’s Welcome Dinner is taking place. // 46840 Highway 1, 831.667.2700, www.bigsurriverinn.com
+ BIG SUR TAPHOUSE
Tavern atmosphere with a massive open backyard space. Many beers on tap, surprisingly great wine list by the glass, and bar snacks available. // 47520 Highway 1, 831.667.2225, www.bigsurtaphouse.com
+ DEETJEN'S
Historic landmark hotel + restaurant nestled into a nook of Highway 1, just south of Big Sur proper. Great breakfast and cozy, romantic dinners. // 48865 Highway 1, (831) 667-2377, www.deetjens.com
+ MAIDEN PUBLICK HOUSE
Extensive international beer list on tap, serving lunch and dinner. Located at The Village Shops, behind the Big Sur River Inn. // 46840 Highway 1, (831) 667-2355
+ NEPENTHE
Landmark spot overlooking the ocean, best known for its views. Open for lunch, dinner and drinks. Cafe Kevah, on site, is open for brunch. // 48510 Highway 1, (831) 667-2345, www.nepenthebigsur.com
+ REDWOOD INN
Casual grill setting at Fernwood, with house-smoked meats, burgers, pizza + salads. Lunch + dinner. // 47200 Highway 1, 831.667.2422, www.fernwoodbigsur.com/restaurant
+ RIPPLEWOOD CAFE
Ripplewood’s own little diner. Serving breakfast + lunch only. // 47047 Highway 1, 831.667.2242, www.ripplewoodresort.com
+ THE RESTAURANT AT VENTANA INN
Gorgeous local food in the beautiful + romantic Ventana Inn. Emphasis on locally sourced ingredients - fabulous food and setting. Lunch + dinner. // 48123 Highway 1, 831.667.2331, www.ventanainn.com
+ SIERRA MAR AT POST RANCH INN
Incredible, renowned culinary experience at the timeless architectural masterpiece that is Post Ranch. Impeccable food in an extraordinary setting. Lunch is a good option price-wise. // 47900 Highway 1, (831) 667-2800, www.postranchinn.com/dining
SEEING + DOING
HIKING
+ ANDREW MOLERA STATE PARK
Beautiful, rambling meadowlands adjacent to the beach bluffs. Great hiking trails and horseback riding. // 5 minutes North on Highway 1 from the hotlels, Big Sur, CA 93920, (831) 667-2315
+ JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK
Famous park with lookout view of the highly-photographed waterfall, as well as rigorous hiking trails. // Hwy 1, (831) 667-2315 (About 20 minutes south of Big Sur proper)
+ LIMEKILN STATE PARK
Our favorite park on the coast. Unique access to both redwoods and the beach in one park. Note that this is about 40 minutes drive from Big Sur proper. // Highway 1, just south of Lucia
+ PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK
Closest to the hotels, this beautiful + large park features redwood groves and mixed forests. Wildlife is abundant, and there are many hiking trails. // 47555 Highway 1, (831) 667-2315
HISTORIC BRIDGE VIEWING + HIGHWAY ONE HIGHLIGHTS
+ BIXBY BRIDGE AND BEYOND
Big Sur has several significant historic bridges along Highway 1 that are beautiful feats of engineering. Bixby Bridge is the most famous, while bridges at Rocky Creek, Little Sur River, Big Creek and Limekiln are equally beautiful. More information here.
+ HEARST CASTLE + SAN SIMEON
Much farther away than the other places mentioned in this list, but if you have the time and you've come this far, it's a must-see. Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark that encompasses the sprawling property of the late William Randolph Hearst. The castle, its pools, lavish architecture, ornate garden design, as well as acres of ranch land with herds of cattle and zebras (!) are not to be missed.
+ PFEIFFER BEACH
A gorgeous, easily accessible beach right near downtown Big Sur. This beach houses incredible rock formations, including a natural arch in the water that perfectly frames sunsets. Really beautiful cypress trees here too! We will be here on Thursday night for a picnic if you are in town.
+ POINT LOBOS STATE RESERVE
Called "the greatest meeting of land and water in the world" by the landscape artist Francis McComas, Point Lobos includes rocky coves, shallow tide pools, broad kelp beds and wind-sculpted pines.
HORSEBACK RIDING + LIGHTHOUSE PEEPING
+ ANDREW MOLERA STATE PARK HORSEBACK TOURS
Scenic coastal horseback tours in historical AMSP. // (831) 667-2315, www.molerahorsebacktours.com
+ POINT SUR HISTORIC PARK AND LIGHTHOUSE
Historic lighthouse seen through guided tours. // pointsur.org
READING, GALLERIES, CURIOS
+ HENRY MILLER LIBRARY
Cultural mecca in Big Sur with amazing lit and music and collectibles. // henrymiller.org
+ VILLAGE SHOPS, COAST GALLERY, LOMA VISTA SHOPS
Various galleries and shopping opportunities spotted along the coast, all on Highway 1.
SPAS
+ ESALEN
If you can call ahead, book for a magical experience in the middle-of-the-night in their baths hanging from the cliffs over the Pacific. Clothing optional, 1-3am. // (831) 667-3047, www.esalen.org
+ VENTANA INN
Gorgeous spa with access to their Japanese soaking tubs and pools. // 48123 Highway 1, 831.667.2331
WILDLIFE SPOTTING
+ CONDORS
The Ventana Wildlife Society manages 64 free-flying condors throughout the coast. Good lookout points to view them are at Mile Marker 37.00 near Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP, and near Nepenthe.
+ ELEPHANT SEAL VIEWING
Just north of San Simeon, look for signs for Elephant Seal Viewing, and pull off the road to see an incredible rookery of these giant seals. The beach looks like it's been wallpapered with seals. **Much farther south than other activities!
+ OTTERS, SEALS + WHALES
Any vista point pullout along Highway 1 is a great place to pull over and look for marine life. The coast is always hopping with activity, year-round. Look for whale spouts outside, and seals and otters closer to the rocks and in the kelp beds.
BIG SUR HISTORY
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A Wild Past and Eclectic Present
From its beginnings as an unmapped expanse to its more recent history as a hippie hideaway, Big Sur has embodied the American experience: wild, free and unrestrained. Once called el pais grande del sur by Spanish settlers, “the Big Country of the South” referred to the unexplored wilderness along the coast south of Monterey. The region more formally adopted its current identity in the early 1900s, when residents petitioned the government to officially name the post office “Big Sur.”
The first inhabitants of the Central Coast were three separate tribes of coastal Native Americans – the Ohlone, the Esselen, and the Salinan. Spanish explorers established their first mission in the area in 1770, when Mission San Carlos was built at the present-day site of Carmel River State Beach. The region was transferred from Spanish to Mexican to American rule over the course of the next century as settlements emerged across the area.
In 1937, Highway One brought artists, beat writers, hippies, tourists and yuppies to the gorgeous Central Coast. Hippie and Beatnik culture thrived in the 1940s, 50s and 60s across the region, leaving a legacy of nature-attuned spirituality and experimental psychotherapy. Today, Big Sur is populated by an eclectic mix of approximately 1,000 residents, allowing the region to maintain its romantic mystique.
- Borrowed from Ventana's "A Wild Past and Eclectic Present"
