Big Sur is known today as a beautiful retreat on the Central Coastline. It is a non-incorporated town and while Big Sur town spans only about 5 miles of the 1 Highway, the boundaries of all of Big Sur is believed to stretch 76 miles from Carmel River in the North to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County in the South.

Stay

Ventana Inn

The Ventana Inn is a a luxury resort structured around the idea of the getaway. You will stay in very modern cabins with a pool, spa, and restaurant all on sight so that you can retreat in style.

Ventana Campgrounds

The Campgrounds are nestled beneath the redwood trees, this campsite is the woodland dream. The campground sits below in the valley beneath the Inn. Decked with the amenities to keep yourself fresh, its a great way to stay connected to the landscape of Big Sur. Ventana Campgrounds

Deetjan's Big Sur Inn

Helmuth Deetjan, a Norwegian immigrant, founded this secluded rustic spot. He and his wife were known for their hospitality to travelers/friends and in 1972, they officially converted their home into an Inn. One of the guest rooms is called "Grandpa" paying homage to Helmuth's. When visiting this spot, I was fortunate to have the chance to speak to a woman, one of the managers, whose mother had worked as an innkeeper for Deetjan's in the 70's. This place encapsulates the "Home away from home" spirit. img_6131ccc

Big Sur Lodge

Historically owned by John and Florence Pfeiffer. In the spirit of Big Sur, they too were people who embraced travelers into their home and quickly learned that they could run the space as an Inn. John Pfeiffer was given the opportunity to sell his land to a major developer for a lot of money but turned it down and ended up selling 700 acres to the state of California in which to make the Pfeiffer State Park. the lodge remains close to its original state. img_5991ccc

Eat

Big Sur Bakery

Hands down my favorite place to eat. Everything is homemade including their granola. Big Sur Bakery Homemade Granola

Deetjens

img_6144ccc

Nepenthe

With both a sit down restaurant and a terrace cafe, Nepenthe is worth it for the views. Fun Fact! The movie The Sandpiper, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton was all filmed in Big Sur but features a scene in the Nepenthe's restaurant. The restaurant is largely unchanged from the '60s.

Big River Inn

The Big river Inn has their own restaurant but they also have a general store on the grounds which make a pretty mean Burrito. "<yoastmark img_4935cc

DO

Esalen Institute

An old hippie enclave named after the native people that once inhabited the lands. The Institute is a retreat for people to come and embrace all holistic manners of healing and rejuvenating as well as seeking a deeper meaning to life. (seriously check out their mission statement!) The real draw here is the natural hot springs. Their "clothing optional" baths are open between 1am-3am. This ritual has once attracted the likes of Henry Miller, Joan Baez, and Hunter S. Thompson.

Henry Miller Memorial Library

The Henry Miller Memorial Library was built to honor not only Henry Miller, but all the beatnik writers in their time. The grounds contain homages to the arts with a decaying piano sitting under the trees and televisions/wires formed into the likeliness of Christ strung up on the cross. They also have live music! img_6097cc img_6104cc img_6118cc

The Phoenix Shop

Tucked below Nepenthe. It is a Bohemian's dream come true. With a vast array of local goods, the view alone is worth the visit. img_6074ccc

Hiking

You can Hike ANYWHERE! There are more trails along the coast and than there is time to hike them all! The McWayS falls hiking trail is one of the most crowded because of the scenic lookout but check this site for 17 Other hikes you could do. There is a waterfall at the end of the Salmon Creek Trail that is worth seeing.

See

Coastline

The California Coastline is spectacular. No amount of pictures driving up Highway 1 will ever come close to the real thing. Big Sur is still to this day very remote (i.e. no cell service!). And its not hard to see why people WANT to keep Big Sur the off-the-grid retreat its been known for. Where the mountains meet the ocean.

McWay Falls

If you have ever googled Big Sur, McWay Falls will surely be one of the top image returns. As one of the two waterfalls that flow directly into the Ocean, this one surely is just as beautiful as the pictures. Be prepared for lots of people but still worth it if you have never stopped by. Also check out the hike!

Bixby Bridge

Bixby Bridge was built in 1931. It served as a means for residents to pass alongside the coastline without having to travel 11 miles inland as an alternate route. It is one of the most photographed landmarks of the West Coast. Its not hard to see why. Its beautiful as well as monumental of a bridge. Don't look down if you are afraid of heights! img_5137cc

Day Trips to Carmel and Monterey

The California Missions are an essential part of California's History and are worth seeing. Having grown up in the shadow of the Santa Barbara Mission, I make it a point to visit as many as I can. The Carmel Mission: San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission is the 2nd Mission built by the Franciscan missionaries. To spread the catholic faith many were baptised in the name of God, and while this posed a contentious relationship with the native tribes such as the Esselen and Rumsen people, the mission serves to honor their history in present day.

Cannery Row

The idyllic setting of John Steinbeck's classic novel of the same name. The strip which is now largely known for being a tourist destination used to be home of many sardine canning companies. While the last cannery closed in 1973, the name still lives on. It is also the home of the Monterey Aquarium. img_5545cc Fisherman's WharfFisherman's Wharf sits on the Monterey Harbor. It historically was an active wholesale fish market (specializing in shipping sardines) but has since gained more tourist traction. If you want clam chowder, you can find it here! img_5612cc