Big Sur

Big Sur is the most scenic and dramatic stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway along the California coast, hemmed between mountains and ocean and with many hiking trails and state parks to explore.

It took 18 years to build the road along this coast.

Big Sur is an area rather than a specific town, and stretches for about 90 miles (145km) between San Simeon in the south and Carmel in the north. The strict definition is a little shorter than that but if you're driving the Pacific Coast Highway those two towns are the nearest major landmarks. Only about 1,000 people live in Big Sur year-round, mostly in four small settlements. 

Driving Big Sur on the Pacific Coast HighwayDriving Big Sur on the Pacific Coast Highway

Driving Big Sur

To start with, you should be aware that there are not a lot of gas stations, so you should drive Big Sur with a full tank. See also our page on California Coast Charging Stations.

Although it's only 90 miles (145 kms) and you could speed through it in a couple of hours, we recommend allowing a full day and taking it slowly. There are numerous scenic pull-offs and you should give yourself time to take in the scenery, to sit and enjoy it, not simply jump out of the car, take a photo and drive on.

Taking a Break in Big Sur on the Pacific Coast HighwayTaking a Break in Big Sur on the Pacific Coast Highway

Plan Your Big Sur Drive

On one side of Big Sur you have the Santa Lucia Mountains, and on the other side the Pacific Ocean. Cell-phone service isn't good and there will be stretches where you get no service at all. If you're the kind of person who uses your phone to plan your trip as you go, that's not going to work so well around here.

Some Great Big Sur Souvenirs

big_sur_ca_t-shirt.jpg

Big Sur Retro T-shirt

big-sur-iphone-13-case.jpg

IPhone 13 Case

bixby-bridge-laptop-sleeve.jpg

Bixby Bridge Laptop Sleeve

big-sur-t-shirt-girl.jpg

Girl's T-shirt

So plan your Big Sur drive ahead of time. Check out the state parks you can visit, and research any hikes you might want to stop and make. A good resource is the website of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce.

Rock Formation on the Big Sur CoastRock Formation on the Big Sur Coast

Plan Your Hotel

If you plan to stay overnight in Big Sur, or for a night or two, then make sure you have directions to your hotel. Some of them are tucked away, and your GPS may not work due to poor cell-phone connections. Remember that Big Sur isn't a town, it's a region that stretches for about 90 miles. You need to know in advance how to get to where you're going.

Best Guide Covering Big Sur

Moon-Monterey-and-Carmel.png

The other thing to think about is where your hotel is located. If you're staying in Big Sur because you want to visit a particular national park, or do a specific hike, then don't assume that because your hotel is in Big Sur it's near where you want to be. It could be 50 miles away, so check.

Don't Miss: Best Time to Visit Big Sur

Plan Where to Stay

Most of the places to stay in Big Sur are more luxury places. Even average places in Big Sur would be expensive because it's Big Sur, and there aren't too many average places. To make your visit more affordable, stay in either Monterey or Carmel in the north, or San Simeon or Cambria in the south, and drive Big Sur from there. When we searched Airbnb for Big Sur we came up with one house rental at $1500 per night!

If time allows, you can even plan to spend a day driving Big Sur, and the smaller roads into the interior, and then drive back to your accommodation. Then the next day you could simply drive straight through and pull off at some of the pull-offs. The weather is unpredictable here, so if your planned full day in Big Sur has bad weather, you can rearrange what you do and still have a second day to hope that the weather is better.

Taking a Break in Big Sur on the Pacific Coast HighwayEnjoy that Beautiful Big Sur Scenery

Where to Eat in Big Sur

If you're staying in one of the upscale hotels you will probably want to eat there. They all have highly-recommended restaurants. If you're driving through and want somewhere to have lunch, there's one place we highly recommend, from personal experience: Nepenthe.

Nepenthe has the perfect location, right on the ocean and with views of the coast. It also has two eating options. If you're a real foodie you'll want to book ahead and eat in Nepenthe itself, a fine-dining restaurant which is open for lunch and dinner. The lunch menu is shorter and simpler, while in the evening you can get dishes such as Pacific Swordfish or Duck Leg Confit.

The Nepenthe Restaurant in Big SurThe Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur

Café Kevah is beneath Nepenthe but still has terrific ocean views. The food is more casual, including dishes like Eggs Benedict or a Reuben, but still incredibly good. You can't book for Café Kevah, which is open lunchtime only.

If you want to eat dinner at Nepenthe, it's just a few minutes' drive from the Ventana Big Sur Inn and Deetjen's Big Sur, two attractive accommodation options.

Don't Miss Our Page of Photos of Big Sur!

Big Sur in Literature

Nepenthe is also about half a mile north of the Henry Miller Memorial Library. The author Henry Miller was one of Big Sur's more famous literary residents. He lived there for about 15 years and you can read about his time there in his book Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch.

Jack Kerouac also lived in Big Sur for a time, and his book Big Sur is a fictionalized autobiography about a troubled time in his life.

The first novel by Richard Brautigan, who came from Tacoma in Washington State, was A Confederate General from Big Sur. It captures the beauty of the region, though it wasn't as successful as his later books, such as Trout Fishing in America and In Watermelon Sugar.

Staying in Big Sur

There are several places to stay along Big Sur but many of these are high-end. If you want to spend a night or two in Big Sur then you should book ahead, as the area is very popular indeed. If you're not able to do that then you can try winging it, provided you allow enough time to get to Carmel or Monterey in the north, or San Simeon or Cambria in the south, if you need to, where there are plenty of places to stay.

Other California Coast pages

  • Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

    Encinitas

    Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

  • Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

    Morro Bay

    Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

    San Clemente California

    San Clemente in California is a small city on the Pacific Coast Highway midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

    Crescent City

    Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

    Santa Catalina Island

    Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

    Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

  • Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

  • Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

    Pismo Beach

    Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

  • Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

    Bixby Bridge

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

  • San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

    San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

    Bodega Bay

    Bodega Bay is a small California coastal town on the borders of Marin County and Sonoma County, and the filming location for Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

    Laguna Beach

    The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

    Dana Point

    Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

  • Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

    Pacific Grove

    Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

  • A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

    Point Lobos State Reserve near Carmel and Monterey, with photos

    A walk around the Point Lobos State Reserve near Monterey and Carmel provides lots of photo opportunities, especially of the Harbor Seal Birthing Area.

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Wildfire Recovery: Navigating Road Closures and Access to Pacific Coast Highway

    Mar 27, 25 11:39 AM

    Several road closures remain in effect as cleanup and repairs from the recent wildfires continue. Some travel routes are still unsafe for commuters as concerns about mudslides and public exposure to t…

    Read More

  2. Following Improved Weather Conditions, Pacific Coast Highway Reopened

    Mar 16, 25 11:24 AM

    Following Improved Weather Conditions, Pacific Coast Highway Reopened Earlier than Anticipated Today to Businesses, School Buses and Residents Who Live in Palisades Fire Burn Area

    Read More

  3. Pacific Coast Highway Closure and Evacuation Warnings Issued as Storm Approaches Malibu

    Mar 13, 25 11:38 AM

    Effective Wednesday, March 12, at noon, Caltrans has implemented a full closure of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu. The clo…

    Read More