Hotels in Big Sur

Big Sur is a dramatic stretch of the California coast set between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains. The landscapes are wild and rugged, with most of the coastline uninhabited. As you travel along the coast, you’ll discover sandy beaches, soaring sea cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and sun-dappled redwood forests. At either end of Big Sur are laid-back towns that attract artists, creatives and new-age hippies.

Things to do in Big Sur

Bixby Bridge stretches across Rainbow Canyon and is one of Big Sur’s most photographed landmarks. It was built in the 1930s by convict labourers and teeters 80 metres above the canyon. As you drive across the bridge, you’ll enjoy spectacular views over the sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Much of Big Sur is protected under state park status. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is home to McWay Falls, which cascades down a granite cliffside and onto the gold-sand beach. In Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, you can explore family-friendly hiking trails that wind through towering redwood groves.

Crescent-shaped Pfeiffer Beach will dazzle you with its dramatic rock formations and lavender-coloured sand. The northern end of the beach is clothing optional and great for getting rid of your tan lines. In winter, there’s a good chance of spotting whales breaching offshore. While Big Sur often enjoys blue skies and sunshine, this stretch of coast can also become engulfed in summer fog.

The Big Sur Discovery Centre in Andrew Molera State Park charts the fascinating history and ecology of the coastal stretch. Guided California condor tours offer more information on the majestic birds that soar above the skies of Big Sur.

Getting around Big Sur

Big Sur is best explored by car, with the drive taking as little as two hours without stops. A highway skirts the coastline and connects Carmel in the north with San Simeon in the south. The closest airports are in San Francisco and Los Angeles.