Big Sur

Hiking is an ideal way to experience the natural beauty of Big Sur—and the area's size easily allows you to find total solitude. Numerous hiking trails run through Big Sur, from a gentle coastal walk past redwoods and the 80-foot (24-meter) McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, to the mountainous terrain of Los Padres National Forest. Other attractions along the way include the Bixby Bridge, Big Sur River Inn, and the famous Nepenthe Restaurant.

This area is world famous and inspired such artists and writers as Ansel Adams and Jack Kerouac, and is still home to a large artistic community. The Henry Miller Memorial Library hosts a varied schedule of special events, including readings, workshops, concerts, and film screenings.

Big Sur tours depart from Monterey Bay and San Francisco and drive all or part of the stretch of coastline. Some group and private tours also stop at nearby popular attractions like Morro Bay, Hearst Castle, and San Luis Obispo, which lay south of Big Sur, and Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, to the north.

• With few connecting roads, Highway 1 is prone to lengthy traffic backups, especially during the summer high season. Slow down and enjoy the views.

• Perched on the coast, the road is vulnerable to rockslides, mudslides, and construction closures. Always check road conditions before departing for Big Sur.

• There is no mobile phone service along much of the highway, due to its remoteness.

• Those who suffer from car sickness may want to consider taking precautionary measures before a trip to Big Sur.

Big Sur is 140 miles (225 kilometers) south of San Francisco and 310 miles (500 kilometers) north of Los Angeles. Most campsites are located within the state and federal parks and are usually on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to stay at one of the few hotels, make reservations in advance or risk disappointment.

Fall and spring are the best times to visit Big Sur, with lower concentration of crowds and better weather. Long weekends like Labor Day and summer see a huge rise in population, and Highway 1 can get socked in with fog, impeding the vistas. Winter rains can bring mudslides, rock slides, and road closures.

Coast redwood and the rare Santa Lucia fir are both found in this area, as is a type of orchid found only in the Monterey Peninsula and surrounds. Resident fauna includes tule elk, the California condor, coyote, and fox. The offshore area is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and is home to harbor seals and sea otters, and provides passage for migrating humpback whales.

The area called Big Sur is home to several California state parks that don't organize tours and do not require Big Sur tickets to enter. However, guided tours visit Big Sur along with Monterey, 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, Carmel, and the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), usually from San Francisco.

Visiting Big Sur is always in season. While this stretch of central California coast has relatively temperate weather year-round, the best time to visit is in spring or fall, both of which offer warm weather and fewer crowds. Catching a concert at the Henry Miller Memorial Library is always a good bet.

The drive along the Big Sur coast from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon along the Pacific Coast Highway—also known as California State Route 1—is about 94 miles (151 kilometers) and takes about 2.5–3 hours without stopping. However, most visitors stop to enjoy the views. Note: Landslides may block the route.

Start with a drive along Highway 1. Then, hike in a state park—perhaps the McWay Waterfall Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. After lunch at a Highway 1 restaurant, spend the afternoon at Pfeiffer Beach. Finish by admiring the sunset and lighthouse at Point Sur State Historic Park.

Yes, Big Sur is worth visiting. Mostly untouched, it’s among the most beautiful and rugged areas of California—and the world—and the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the lower US. In addition to camping and hiking, visitors can see coastal redwoods, catch views of the Pacific Ocean, and much more.

Not really. Most of Big Sur is accessible via Highway 1 along the coast or rugged inland country roads that are not easily walkable. Visitors can hike through much of the coastal area, but it's best to drive to a state park and walk from there.