Big Sur, is an exquisite location on the California coast. Travel to Big Sur to experience nature in all forms – stunning beach and mountain hikes – and take photos of the spectacular views.
Big Sur Valley is just 26 miles south of the charming city of Carmel, which is known for its boutique shopping. However, you don’t need to travel far to find exciting activities in Big Sur, from the Ventana Wilderness, local art galleries, beach exploration or whale watching. Also, on clear nights, enjoy the stunning star-smattered sky.
Our Big Sur travel guide will get you jumpstarted into planning your next adventure.
Things Not to Miss in Big Sur
• Limekiln State Park
• Andrew Molera State Park
• Esalen Institute
• Visit Point Sur lighthouse
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
• Henry Miller Library
When to Go to Big Sur
The most popular time to visit Big Sur is between April to October, when the weather is nicest. (Though one should be warned that the marine layer coats much of the coast in the mornings during parts of the high season.)
Businesses are not open as long during the off-peak season. However, Big Sur travel is amazing no matter what time of the year it is.
-
This California Dream House Has the Most Iconic View of Big Sur — and It's for Sale
With windy roads that snake along jagged cliffsides leading down to the sparkling cobalt Pacific, the 90-mile stretch of California coastline that makes... Read More
-
11 U.S. Destinations That'll Make You Feel Like You're in Europe (Video)
There is a European destination for every travel palette. The honeymooners are in Positano, the art lovers are at Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the hikers are... Read More
-
The Top 10 Resort Hotels in California
In a year when sweeping wildfires yet again ravaged portions of the state, California has shown that it’s as tenacious as it is welcoming. It’s a... Read More
-
Top 15 Continental U.S. Resort Hotels (Video)
Travel + Leisure readers know you don’t have to whip out your passport to check into one of the finest resort hotel destinations in the world. From the... Read More
-
Woman Survived for 7 Days Stranded on a Beach After Driving Off 200-foot Cliff in Big Sur
A woman who had been missing for over a week was found alive on July 13 after driving her Jeep off a cliff in Big Sur, California.Angela Hernandez was... Read More
-
How to Take the Ultimate California Road Trip
This spring, inspired by a mix of real longing and Instagram-fueled nostalgia, I found myself gripped by the desire to #vanlife it for a while. And not... Read More
-
Big Sur's Waves Are Glowing and the Photos Are Spectacular (Video)
Glowing, bioluminescent waves have been appearing at California’s Big Sur, treating those who visit the area to a fascinating natural spectacle.... Read More
-
The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018
Travelers today are more aware than ever of all the world has to offer. It’s thrilling to be confronted with so much possibility — but daunting, too.... Read More
-
You Can Still Take a Big Sur Road Trip This Year — Here’s How
Stretching 90 miles along the jagged western edge of the continental United States, Big Sur has long exercised a magnetic pull on people drawn to its... Read More
-
Biggest mudslide in California history buries part of the Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur
A landslide of more than 1 million tons of brick and dirt buried part of California’s Pacific Coast Highway over the weekend.The damage is ... Read More
-
America's Most Iconic Drives
Automobile ads love to show shiny vehicles cruising open highways under blue skies, with mountains and beaches nearby. But when was the last time you... Read More
-
6 Trips to Take Before You Get Married (Video)
The world is filled with incredible honeymoon destinations and spots for a romantic getaway, but there are also plenty of places best explored solo... Read More
-
How to Plan a Trip to California's Big Sur
In the Big Sur region of California, the Pacific Coast Highway seems made for a daring road trip: its winding roads hug the curves of the coast, and the... Read More
-
California Wildfire Closes Big Sur State Parks
Two major wildfires in California are causing evacuations and closures as firefighters battle the blazes.Officials closed state parks along the Big Sur... Read More
-
Where the Stars Say 'I do': 14 Stunning Celebrity Wedding Destinations
In the world of Hollywood, an average wedding simply won’t do. Whether it’s over-the-top decorations or hiring a world-renowned chef, there’s no expense... Read More