Big Sur Travel Guide

Big Sur will, without a doubt, leave you breathless. A dizzying drive along the section of Highway 1 that takes you into the area is widely considered one of the best scenic routes in the world. Adventurers will find a rugged, jagged, and incredible topography where trees almost outnumber the stars in the night sky. Attesting to its untamed nature, Big Sur technically has no boundaries, but for the sake of geographic placement, most consider the 90-mile stretch of coast between Carmel and San Simeon to be Big Sur's domain. State parks run adjacent to the vast Santa Lucia mountain range, making camping the preferred mode of lodging here. There are a fair amount of hotels, motels, and inns offering creature comforts, though no matter where you lay your head at night there will be a noticeable lack of urbanity. Secluded beaches, endless hiking trails, and dramatic outlooks over the Pacific Ocean are the rewards for venturing into one of North America's last wild places.  

Where to Go in Big Sur

TOP PICKS BY OUR LOCAL EXPERTS

Deetjen's Big Sur Inn & Restaurant

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expert pick

48865 Highway 1
Hwy. 1

Cottages under the Redwoods
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Central Coast Outdoors

expert pick

247 Vista Court

For a guided adventure through breathtaking wilderness, try Central Coast Outdoors.
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Nepenthe

user rating

48510 Highway 1
Hwy. 1, 29 miles south of Carmel (5 miles south of the River Inn)

Cliff-top restaurant with sweeping ocean views
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