The best highlight of our latest road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway was our drive through the iconic Big Sur. 90 miles of beautiful California coast with more ocean views that you have ever imagined. Hiking trails, luxurious hotels, camping, seaside cliffs and nature for days. There are enough things to do in Big Sur to fill up an entire weekend. I suggest spending some time in Big Sur during your road trip (at least half a day) it's too beautiful to miss! Get ready to make a lot of stops, the views are amazing and there are plenty of vista points.
After leaving Monterrey early in the morning, our first official stop was Point Lobos and China Cove ($10 to enter the park). We walked a few trails and it was absolutely beautiful, definitely worth stopping there.
Must do's in Big Sur:
Point Lobos and China Cove - Tons of walking trails.
Bixby Bridge - One of the most photographed spots in Big Sur.
Point Sur State Park and Lighthouse - National Historic Landmark, is the only complete turn-of the-century light station open to the public in California. Check here for the lighthouse tours.
Pfeiffer Beach - The north end of the beach has unique purple sand.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - See McWay Falls
Our second stop was the amazing Bixby Bridge, you can't miss it! We pulled over and took photos from both sides.
Our third stop was at Cafe Kevah for brunch with the best ocean views. Make sure to map out the location of the restaurants so you don't miss them (not in order below).
Where to Eat:
Nepenthe - Open daily for lunch and dinner with amazing views.
Cafe Kevah - Outdoor terrace below Nepenthe with a casual atmosphere and open patio setting.
Big Sur Roadhouse - Open for breakfast and lunch served in a modern-rustic setting.
Deetjens - Serves breakfast daily. Fine dining every evening in one of their four candlelit rooms.
Big Sur Bakery - American cuisine served in a rustic setting.
The Sur House Restaurant - Located at Ventana, warm & woodsy spot for upscale American cuisine with ocean views from the terrace.
Plan your drive down beforehand as there's no cellphone service. Download the map to your phone when you still have wi-fi and may be able to use it for GPS purposes. I downloaded google maps and mapped out all of our stops in advance. We visited Big Sur during November and there was very little fog in the morning so make sure to keep that in mind when planning your trip. Coastal fog is a downside during summer, the fog is usually gone by fall. Between April and October the weather is the nicest but if you visit during September-November the crowds are lesser and the weather is even better. Keep your eyes on the road, Big Sur is known for it's winding turns. Also, bring a sweater, it might get cold depending on the time of the year you visit.
Where to Stay:
Accommodation in Big Sur is very pricey but definitely an experience. If you don't want to spend so much in a hotel then head south to San Luis Obispo or north to Monterrey and Carmel for less expensive options.
Treebones Resort - 'Glamping' experience in Big Sur.
Ventana Inn & Spa - Luxurious adults-only resort.
Post Ranch Inn - High atop the cliffs of Big Sur another luxurious resort.
AirB&B
Hope you enjoy my travel guide to Big Sur! With love, Karla
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