Travel Guide of Big Sur in United States by Influencers and Travelers

Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery.

Pictures and Stories of Big Sur from Influencers

20 pictures of Big Sur from Kace Rodriguez, Jeremy Bishop, Richie Nolan and other travelers

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How to visit Big Sur ?

Why travel to Big Sur?

Big Sur, located on the Central Coast of California, is a breathtaking destination known for its dramatic coastline, lush forests, and stunning ocean views. Travelers come here to immerse themselves in nature, unwind, and enjoy various outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and beachcombing. The iconic Highway 1 runs through Big Sur, making it a popular road trip destination.

How to get there?

The most convenient way to reach Big Sur is by flying into Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), which is about 45 minutes north of Big Sur. From there, you can rent a car and drive along the scenic Highway 1 to reach your destination. Alternatively, you can fly into San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX) and make the longer drive to Big Sur, which takes approximately 3 hours from San Francisco or 5 hours from Los Angeles.

What to book in advance?

To make the most of your trip to Big Sur, it's essential to book accommodations and popular activities in advance. Campground reservations can fill up quickly, especially during peak season (April-October). If you plan on visiting popular attractions like Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park or Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, be sure to reserve parking and day-use passes ahead of time.

What are the costs?

Big Sur can be an expensive destination, with accommodation options such as hotels and luxury resorts ranging from $250 to $1000 per night. Camping is a more budget-friendly option, with fees typically ranging from $25 to $50 per night. Dining can also be pricey, with meals at upscale restaurants costing around $30 per plate. However, there are also more affordable dining options available.

What are the best things to do?

- Hike the numerous trails in the area, including the McWay Falls Trail, which offers stunning views of the 80-foot waterfall cascading onto the beach.
- Visit the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world.
- Explore the various state parks, including Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Limekiln State Park.
- Relax on the beautiful beaches, such as Pfeiffer Beach and Sand Dollar Beach.
- Drive along Highway 1 and take in the breathtaking coastal views.

Where to eat?

1. Nepenthe: This cliffside restaurant offers delicious Californian cuisine and stunning ocean views.
2. Big Sur Bakery: A local favorite, this bakery offers delicious pastries, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizzas.
3. Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant: Enjoy a cozy atmosphere and a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Where to stay?

1. Ventana Big Sur: This luxurious resort offers upscale accommodations, a spa, and fine dining.
2. Big Sur River Inn: A charming inn with rustic rooms, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant.
3. Fernwood Resort: A more budget-friendly option offering cabins, tent cabins, and camping spots.

Off the beaten path:

One unusual travel experience to have in Big Sur is to visit the Esalen Institute, a retreat center known for its hot springs and personal growth workshops. The institute offers a variety of workshops on topics such as meditation, yoga, and creative arts. For those looking to simply enjoy the hot springs, public night bathing is available by reservation, allowing visitors to soak in the natural hot springs under the stars.

The Best Things to Do and Visit around Big Sur

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1 - Bixby Creek Bridge

   8 km away

Bixby Creek Bridge, also known as Bixby Canyon Bridge, on the Big Sur coast of California, is one of the most photographed bridges in California due to its aesthetic design, "graceful architecture and magnificent setting".

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2 - Pfeiffer Beach

   8 km away

Pfeiffer Beach is located in the Big Sur region of California. It is one of the most popular beaches on the Central Coast and is well known for Keyhole Rock, a popular photography subject.

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3 - Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

   10 km away

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a state park in Monterey County, California, near the area of Big Sur on the state's Central Coast. It covers approximately 1,006 acres of land. The park is centered on the Big Sur River. It has been nicknamed a "mini Yosemite." A Redwood tree in the park nicknamed the Colonial Tree is estimated to be between 1,100 and 1,200 years old.

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4 - 28416 CA-1

   13 km away

Goodwin is a town in Deuel County, South Dakota, United States, where the population was 146 at the 2010 census.

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5 - Bixby Creek Arch Bridge

   14 km away
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6 - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls

   17 km away
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7 - Garrapata State Park

   19 km away

Garrapata State Park is a state park of California, United States, located on California State Route 1 6.7 miles south of Carmel and 18 miles north of Big Sur Village on the Monterey coast. The 2,939-acre park was established in 1979.

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8 - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

   23 km away

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a state park in California, 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park on California's Pacific coast. A main feature of the park is McWay Falls, which drops over a cliff of 80 feet into the Pacific Ocean. The park is also home to 300-foot redwoods which are over 2,500 years old.

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9 - McWay Falls

   24 km away

McWay Falls is an 80-foot-tall waterfall on the coast of Big Sur in central California that flows year-round from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, about 37 miles south of Carmel, into the Pacific Ocean. During high tide, it is a tidefall.

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10 - Point Lobos

   25 km away

Point Lobos and the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a state park in California. Adjoining Point Lobos is "one of the richest marine habitats in California."

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11 - Carmel Beach

   26 km away

Carmel River State Beach is a state park unit in Carmel, California, United States, featuring a 1-mile-long protected beach with a lagoon formed by the Carmel River. The lagoon attracts many migratory birds. The state beach includes Monastery Beach, which is popular with scuba divers.

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12 - Big Creek Cove Vista Point

   30 km away
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13 - Pebble Beach

   36 km away

Pebble Beach is an unincorporated community on the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County, California. The small coastal residential community of mostly single-family homes is also notable as a resort destination, and the home of the golf courses of Cypress Point Club, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and Pebble Beach Golf Links.

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14 - 17-Mile Drive

   36 km away
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15 - Monterey

   38 km away

Carmel-by-the-Sea, often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916.

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16 - Downtown Monterey

   38 km away

Monterey Park is a city located in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, California in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, United States, approximately seven miles from the Downtown Los Angeles civic center.

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17 - Sand City

   39 km away

Sand City is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, located on the shores of Monterey Bay, and surrounded on most sides by the larger city of Seaside. Sand City is located 2 miles northeast of Monterey, at an elevation of 72 feet. The population was 334 at the 2010 census, up from 261 at the 2000 census. The city is predominantly a business community, and has a number of larger retail stores. The West End area of Sand City, once an industrial area, hosts a growing artists' colony.

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18 - Monterey Canning Company

   39 km away
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19 - Monterey Bay Aquarium

   40 km away

Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit public aquarium in Monterey, California. Known for its regional focus on the marine habitats of Monterey Bay, it was the first to exhibit a living kelp forest when it opened in October 1984.

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20 - Lovers Point Park

   41 km away
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Learn More about Big Sur

Big Sur is not a city or a precise point on the road but a long part of the Californian coast that extends on more than 140 kilometers with high cliffs which fall directly into the Pacific Ocean offering incredible panoramas. The cliffs retain humidity and create a fog that gives the already impressive landscapes a very special touch. A trip to Big Sur will offer you another vision of California, far from the crowded and posh beaches of Los Angeles.

The name "Big Sur" has its origins in the history of the Spanish in this region. Indeed, they called the vast and relatively unexplored coastal region south of Monterey "el país grande del sur", which means "the big country of the south". This has often been abbreviated to "el sur grande". The two main rivers draining this part of the coast have been named El Rio Grande del Sur and El Rio Chiquito del Sur.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Big Sur

Are there any parks in Big Sur ?

Yes of course there is ! Luxury hotels and restaurants and art galleries, overlooking redwood-filled parks on either side, stretch for nine kilometres.

Can we see animals at Big Sur ?

Yes, grey whales migrate here twice a year and elephant seals bask in the sun on its sandy shores.

   Where to Stay near Big Sur

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