There is truly nothing to equal Big Sur. This rugged stretch of California coastline is known for stunning views, misty seaside towns and lots of hiking and food opportunities. After several, several trips to Big Sur, I’m finally ready to release my Big Sur Travel Guide into the world for all of you to hopefully use and enjoy during your time in this magical place.
Before we get too far into the post, make sure the number one item on your Big Sur prep is to buy the Big Sur GyPSy Guide. If you need to know more, I have a full GyPSy Guide review on my blog, but take my word for it, you need this!
What is Big Sur?
“Big Sur” refers to a 130-mile stretch of coastline in central California running from Carmel, California down to San Luis Obispo. It’s a very unique stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH-1) with lots of stunning Pacific Ocean views on one side of PCH and rolling mountains on the other. The stretch also passes through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which is home to beautiful coastal redwood groves which are worth seeing alone.
What are the Most Popular Towns Along Big Sur?
There are three popular towns that come to my mind when thinking of the most populated stops along Big Sur.
Monterey
If you’re driving south down Big Sur, this is going to be the first stop along your trip. Monterey has an extremely cute fisherman’s wharf area, and there are a lot of whale watching tours that leave from the docks there. The Monterey Bay aquarium is also really popular, and I can say from experience that it’s worth it if you have a free morning.
From Monterey, you can also get on the 17-mile drive. This stretch is really scenic (nothing in comparison to Big Sur though in my opinion), and it’s really popular for golfers because it passes through three of the best courses in the country, including Pebble Beach and the Lone Cypress Tree that serves as its logo. The 17-mile drive is around $10, and you should see plenty of signs directing you toward the entrance.
Carmel by the Sea
With Clint Eastwood in the list of former mayors of this charming, seaside town, Carmel truly does feel too good to be true. It’s one of the most unique towns I’ve ever been to. It feels straight out of a storybook, and I promise there are few people who couldn’t fall in love with this town. Carmel is known for incredible restaurants, quaint little boutiques and the most charming houses you’ve ever seen.
It’s right at the start of Big Sur, so this is where a lot of people choose to kick off their trip if deciding to skip Monterey all together. Once you go past the downtown area, you’re officially on the Big Sur stretch.
Carmel Valley also shoots off from downtown Carmel, but I wouldn’t say it’s a must see. If you’re more local or have lots of time in town, it’s a very fun vibe though! We’ve done a wine tasting and eaten at a yummy restaurant I will talk about below in Carmel Valley.
San Luis Obispo
This is the town on the southernmost end of the traditional Big Sur stretch, and it’s known for good wine, its Spanish Missions and delicious restaurants. There are so many good food spots, coffee and classic hotels here to explore!
What to do in Big Sur?
So you may be wondering, is Big Sur only for driving? While that is certainly an option, there is so much more to do on a trip to Big Sur. We’ve just driven down it a few times, but we also enjoy hiking in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and want to explore more of the oceanside hikes.
If you purchase the Big Sur GyPSy Guide, it’s the perfect resource for planning your stops and figuring out exactly what to do during your time in Big Sur.
Stop for a Photo at Bixby Bridge
You cannot pass through Big Sur for the first time (or really on your twelfth time) without stopping for a quick photo and look at Bixby Bridge. This iconic bridge is known as the Golden Gate of Big Sur, and it’s even more impressive once you learn that this marvel was completed in the early 1930s!
Hiking
If you’re not a big hiker, you will have just as good a time exploring Big Sur by driving alone. If you are a big hiker, there are quite a few fun loops and falls that make for the perfect hike. Some of these might be considered just “walks” but either way it’s fun to get out of the car for a bit!
- Point Lobos State Park
- McWay Falls (more like a short walk)
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (many trails to choose from here!)
Picnic at the Beach
There aren’t many times of the year when it’s going to be enjoyable to swim in the water along Big Sur (very rough water usually), but that doesn’t mean to beaches aren’t still perfect for a picnic or reading! We love packing a blanket and picking up snacks from Carmel for a picnic at Garrapatas State Park or Pfeiffer Beach.
San Luis Obispo (SLO)
We’re spending one night in SLO on our upcoming trip to Big Sur, and I can’t wait to add all that context to this post! This is the town at the southernmost end of the Big Sur stretch, so it’s a nice way to end the trip.
Visit Hearst Castle
This is still on our Big Sur bucket list, but I couldn’t not put it on this list!
Where to Eat in Big Sur?
Here are our favorite restaurants in Carmel, but I am also always on the lookout for restaurants along Big Sur and in San Luis Obispo!
Carmel Restaurants
Breakfast + Brunch
Katy’s Place – This is a very “homey” restaurant that doesn’t have many frills, but that’s what makes it really charming! It doesn’t take anything but cash and no reservations, but they get people in and out really quickly so we never usually wait more than 20 minutes. Try to sit outside!
La Bicyclette – We’ve been here for dinner, but I also know it’s really popular for breakfast and brunch. Their dinner is delectable, so I know everything they produce is going to be top notch. The restaurant also have the cutest vibes ever.
Dinner
Baja Cantina – We keep returning to Baja Cantina again and again. It’s really delicious Mexican food, but what we really love is the atmosphere. I would not recommend sitting inside, because the patio truly has one of my favorite ambiences out of any restaurant I’ve been to. I can’t really describe why I love it so much, but just trust me! The food is also really good if you’re craving Mexican- the menu is huge. Also, it’s in “Carmel Valley” but really still an easy drive to get there if you’re staying or passing through Carmel. You just won’t be in the “Carmel by the Sea” town proper so make sure to make plans to also go there at some point!
Cafe Rustica – This has always popped up when we’re searching around, but we’ve actually never tried it. It’s in Carmel Valley as well!
La Bicyclette – I just had to remind everyone about this restaurant for dinner!
Folktale Wine Garden – Another one we haven’t been to but have always wanted to.
Honestly, I recommend eating before or after getting on the Big Sur PCH stretch after leaving Carmel. Anything you eat along that stretch is going to come with a view but also with a high price tag (relative to how good the food is going to be). Definitely eat in Big Sur if you’re really set on it, but eating in Carmel or SLO is what we always do.
Big Sur Restaurants
Nepenthe – You can eat in the actual restaurant (they don’t take reservations) or you can grab a quick bite or drink on the patio underneath the restaurant. That’s what we always do because the views are amazing, but we’ve heard the food is kind of average and expensive. It’s a Big Sur classic though, so it’s worth the stop! Their gift shop is also pretty cool.
Nate’s On Marsh – in SLO for good cocktails and italian fare.
Where to Stay in Big Sur?
This is going to depend on which direction you’re coming from/going to. If you’re going south on PCH (the recommended direction for ocean views), I think staying in San Luis Obispo, San Simeon or even Paso Robles or Pismo Beach would be ideal. This way you can spend all day driving down the coast, then all day driving back!
On our upcoming trip to Big Sur, we’re staying in San Luis Obispo at The Kinney. If you do decide to stay in Carmel, we always pass by the Hideaway with lust in our eyes!
If you want to stay right in the heart of the coastal redwoods section of Big Sur, make sure to checkout the Big Sur Lodge.
Just keep in mind that this is some of the most expensive real estate in the world, and a lot of commercial properties aren’t permitted because it’s protected land. So if prices seem steeper than what you usually pay for accommodation, that’s why!
When is the Best Time to Visit Big Sur?
Honestly you can visit Big Sur all year round, but August-October are beautiful, warm months in California. If you do go in warmer months, plan to spend a leisurely time at breakfast/lunch or exploring the town you’re staying in because there’s usually a heavy layer of fog in the mornings that makes it pretty hard to see the stunning views. It almost always burns off by the heat of the day, so it’s really a good opportunity for a slow morning.
We’ve also visited many times in “winter,” but it’s not too bad at all! You might get unlucky with rain or an overcast day, but I think the views are still stunning and the gloomy weather can make it feel even more mysterious.
How Many Days do you Need in Big Sur? Can You Drive Big Sur in One Day?
We almost always just do a Big Sur day trip and stop about halfway down the coastal drive, but we really want to go all the way down to San Luis Obispo. To really see the entire drive, try to stay at least one night in San Luis Obispo so you can really take your time on the drive. There are so many iconic views you will want to pull over to full explore (and snap photos of), so it’s really not something you want to rush. Two days is really sufficient!
It is definitely possible in the summer months when the sun stays out extra long, but it’s still going to be a pretty intense driving day. If you’re staying right in Carmel and already at the very beginning of Big Sur (aka not driving 1.5 hours there from the Bay Area like we always are), then it’s going to be a little easier.
I highly recommend trying to stay at least one night so you can enjoy the drive and the towns that make up the beginning and end of the stretch. You will be stopping for plenty of views, especially if this is your first time, and a one day trip leaves very little time for hiking or getting off the road whatsoever.
Is there Cell Service in Big Sur?
There is very little cell service in Big Sur! That’s what I always recommend purchasing and downloading the Big Sur GyPSy guide so you can keep track of where you are on the stretch and know when important parking spots are coming up. There’s no way to get very good directions going once you’re on the drive, so it’s important to be prepared.
That’s everything and anything I think you need to know before visiting Big Sur! I hope this Big Sur travel guide is helpful when you make your next visit down the coast.
