Visiting Big Sur? Don’t miss these spots!
Big Sur is by far one of my favorite places in the US. The beauty of the place always has me coming back for more. On our Endless Caravan, it was no question that we’d be stopping here.
We thought it was perfect timing when See Monterey asked us to put together a post featuring our favorite spot. If you’re visiting Big Sur in #Monterey, here’s a guide of things you can’t miss (most of which we’ve done, and there are a couple on the list that we’ll be doing on this trip!)
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Last Updated: March 18, 2023
What You Need to Know Before You Go
- The most popular time to go is from April to October. The weather is the nicest but it’s also the most crowded. You can go whale watching in the winter.
- There is no service in Big Sur, so plan ahead. If you need wifi, stop in at a restaurant or hotel. Download your google maps ahead of time so you can have offline access.
- Book your rooms ASAP. Everything books up far in advance. I was looking up dates for the summer in spring, and I couldn’t find anything available.
- Check current road conditions since there are landslides and fires that can close the roads.
- Everything in the area is pricey from food to hotels. If you want to save money, you can pack some snacks. Otherwise, expect this trip to be a splurge.
- Expect crowds. The first time I visited was in 2009, and we didn’t see many people at all. It was mostly California locals visiting. Present day, everyone is making their way there as it is one of the most beautiful places in the US, if not the world.
- It can be done as a day trip. I’ve done it with a friend in SF since we had already been multiple times, but if it’s your first time, we recommend staying much longer to fully enjoy the views.
11 Incredible Things to Do in Big Sur California
1. Hwy 1 Drive →
First of all, the drive itself is gorgeous. Every five minutes I felt like we needed to pull over to enjoy the views. It’s one of the most scenic drives we’ve been on.
See More: The Ultimate California Coast Road Trip
2. McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park →
Coordinates: 36.159167, -121.669016, map
This is probably the photo that you see the most from Big Sur. It’s a quick walk from the parking lot and you get amazing views of the waterfall. I could hang out here all day.
See More: Photo Guide to McWay Falls in Big Sur
3. Pfieffer Beach →
Coordinates: 36.238041, -121.816225, map
What’s unique about this beach is its purple sand. Photographers love coming here between December and January to capture the sun portal.
What’s unique about this beach is its purple sand. Photographers love coming here between December and January to capture the sun portal.
See More: Photo Guide to the Purple Sand Beach in Big Sur
4. Point Sur Lighthouse
Coordinates: 36.306407, -121.901790, map
This lighthouse stands on beautiful, volcanic rock just offshore in Big Sur. It still helps guide ships along the Pacific coast.
5. Bixby Bridge
Coordinates: 36.371451, -121.901701, map
Bixby Creek Bridge is an architecturally beautiful bridge on its own, but add in the dramatic cliffs and seaside and you have one of the most picturesque spots in the area.
6. Nepenthe Restaurant
48510 CA-1, 93920, map
This place is very touristy, but it’s an iconic part of Big Sur. We had lunch here in the summer of 2009. I can’t remember anything too special about the food, but the views were incredible! I wouldn’t mind coming back for at least a drink or two.
7. Henry Miller Memorial Library
48603 CA-1, 93920, map
This library is dedicated to works of those who have lived in or near Big Sur, particularly the late writer and artists Henry Miller. It’s a great spot to check out if you love the Big Sur area too!
8. Hike to Limekiln Falls in Limekiln State Park
Trailhead Coordinates: 36.010922, -121.516739, map
Hike through giant redwoods and bubbling streams, and find yourself staring up at a 100-foot cascading waterfall.
9. Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View Trails at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Trailhead Coordinates: 36.252267, -121.783938, map
It’s a two-mile, easy-to-moderate hike at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. See the giant trees, beautiful landscapes, and rocky waterfall.
10. Camping at Los Padres National FOrest
69345 CA-1, 93920, map
There are plenty of campsites in Big Sur, but we ended up staying at Plaskett Creek Campground. Sand Dollar Beach was right across from our campsite, and it was an easy walk over to watch the sunset.
11. Get Lunch at The Sur House or Stay at Ventana
48123 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, map
Although Sur House is only open to guests for Breakfast and Dinner, the general public can enjoy lunch here. The food is delicious and the views are amazing.
Even better, book a stay at The Ventana for an amazing getaway. They have a ton of activities included in your stay and plenty of add-ons as well.
Local Tip: For an exclusive experience, check out the Ventana Glass House.
More Things to Do in Big Sur CA
- Sand Dollar Beach – the largest beach in Big Sur
- Whale Watching and Condor Spotting (weekends in January)
- Esalen Hot Springs
- Cone Peak Summit Trail – 3.5 mile hike, out and back. It has beautiful California poppies in spring.
- Jade Cove Trail – 1.5 mile loop, moderate difficulty.
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Tide Pooling at Partington Cove
- Big Sur Marathon (late April)
- Foragers Festival (Jan)
Map of the Best Things to DO in Big Sur
Best Places to Eat in Big Sur
- Big Sur Bakery (💰💰, Bakeries / American) – Loved all our food here.
- Nepenthe (💰💰💰, American) – has great views
- Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn (💰💰💰💰, American) – prix fixe menus
- The Sur House at Ventana (💰💰💰, American) – Only open for to the general public for lunch.
Best Places to Stay in Big Sur
What’s Nearby
- Hearst Castle (79.9 mi South, 2 h 21 min, map)
- Cypress Grove Trail, Point Lobos State Reserve (22.3 mi North, 58 min, map)
- Carmel By the Sea (25.9 mi North, 40 min, map)
- Monterey (28.7 mi North, 45 min, map)
- Monterey Bay Aquarium (30.9 mi North, 49 min, map)
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Find a great deal on Big Sur hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Big Sur travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Check out See Monterey for official travel info for Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley, Salinas Valley, Moss Landing, Marina, Sand City, Seaside, Del Rey Oaks and Salinas. Plan your epic road trip today! #GrabYourMoment
Download a free visitor’s guide here for more info. If you want to extend your road trip, check out our California Coast guide with all the best stops along the PCH.
Have you been to Big Sur or any other part of Monterey? Is there anything else that can’t be missed?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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The pictures are beautiful and I am interested to visit
Thank you, Diep!
CALIFORNIA is so beautiful. It’s been trending as one of the hottest tourist destinations in the last years. Amazing place.
Completely agree. I can understand why Californians don’t like to leave their state.
The “Ambrosia burger” is the best thing to eat at Nepanthe (in my humble opinion). If you opt for fries be sure to build a tent over them with a menu otherwise the birds may swoop down and steal a few!
Also, breakfast at Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn & Restaurant is quite a treat! It’s just south of Nepenthe. And the Post Ranch Inn is also on my bucket list…..sigh
Thanks for the suggestion, Mimi! Will definitely check out the burger the next time I’m there. :) haha that’s too funny! I guess I never noticed the birds because I never ordered the fries.