Big Sur is one of my favourite weekend excursions from the Bay Area, and once you’ve traversed this area, you’ll completely comprehend why. The rugged coastline and crystal-clear turquoise waters are a breathtaking spectacle. Big Sur is an excellent destination for nature lovers.
Spend a weekend hiking through redwood forests and ancient trees and investigating hidden coastlines.
There’s so much to see and do in this area, including the Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Keyhole Arch Rock at Pfeiffer Beach (a must-see sunset location).
Big Sur is without a doubt one of my favourite locations in California. This region’s breathtaking natural splendour defies description. You absolutely must witness it for yourself.
Big Sur cannot be reduced to one municipality, state park, or national park. It is an unincorporated area that stretches approximately 70 miles from north to south along the coast. This breathtaking stretch of California’s coastline is renowned for its rugged cliffs, dense forests, and exceptionally pure blue waters.
Numerous state parks, natural sanctuaries, beaches, cascades, and hiking trails are worth visiting all along Highway 1.
Along a two-lane road, the journey will comprise of twists, turns, and winds. During the majority of the journey, there will be no streetlights and likely no cell service. You are entirely immersed in a world of picturesque forests and rugged coastline, which is half the fun. Welcome to magnificent Big Sur.
After the early morning fog dissipates, a diverse environment consisting of redwoods, canyons, and oceanside cliffs will emerge, begging to be explored! Outdoor enthusiasts and travelers have a multitude of activities to choose from in Big Sur.
BEST TIME TO VISIT BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA
Due to Big Sur’s location on the gorgeous and sunny California coast, the high season lasts from April to October. However, I believe you can travel at any time and still have an incredible time. This is one of the main advantages of living in California: year-round pleasant weather!
My preferred time to visit is during the early autumn months of September through November. By this time, the summer throngs have dispersed, allowing for a more tranquil experience while exploring nature.
From September to November, the fog seems to linger much less than during the summer, when it often lingers until midday. By early autumn, the irritating fog has typically dissipated, and you can even observe migrating whales and insects!
If you are looking for a place to investigate that is characterized by natural grandeur, we suggest spending a day in California‘s Big Sur. With thundering waves and expansive vistas, the ocean is the highlight of the trek along Highway 1. It offers camping at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, hiking at Point Lobos, shopping, and exploration. The ideal time to visit Big Sur is from April to October, as this is when there are the most activities to enjoy.
THE TOP ATTRACTIONS IN BIG SUR
To maximize your trip through Big Sur, we recommend using a self-guided auto tour. This tour is extremely informative and focuses on the finest locations in Big Sur.
BIG SUR STATION/VISITOR CENTER
If you need assistance learning about the finest things to do in Big Sur, you should visit the Tourist Information Center. They provide information on hiking, camping, and activities in the area.
This is one of the few areas in the region with cell service, and there are maps available here. The schematics we obtained from the ranger station were particularly useful. Be careful to obtain the area’s maps in advance, as cell service is extremely limited.
ENJOY THE HIGHWAY 101 DRIVE
One of the greatest things to do in Big Sur is to travel along the scenic route. Highway 101 is replete with dramatic coastlines, breathtaking vistas, and winding roadways. There are numerous opportunities to turn over and take in the scenery. Take your time to appreciate the surrounding grandeur.
BIXBY BRIDGE
If you are entering Big Sur from the north, the Bixby Creek Bridge should be one of your first visits. It is one of California’s most photographed bridges.
The viaduct is visible from the east and west sides of the road. On our approach to Big Sur, the westbound lane was closed due to construction, so we took the eastbound exit.
On our return to Monterey, the west side was accessible. We favored the views from the west side, but it was considerably more crowded. If you wish to take photographs of the bridge without a large number of people, proceed to the east overflow lot.
RAGGED POINT
Ragged Point is most notable for its breathtaking coastal vistas. Ragged Point Overlook is approximately 15 miles away from Hearst Castle. It is located at the southernmost tip of Big Sur’s coastline.
If you need fuels and refreshments during your time in Big Sur, you can get them here. There are few alternatives beyond this point. Gas is costly in Big Sur!
State Historical Park of Point Sur
The Point Sur Lighthouse is located in Point Sur State Historic Park. The lighthouse is the only intact public light station in California.
Weekend tours are offered year-round, while Wednesday tours are offered seasonally. The excursions consist of three-hour walks. On Saturdays and Sundays, you can also take a 90-minute tour of the Point Sur Naval Facility.
JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is home to the magnificent McWay Falls, which cascades into the Pacific Ocean. There is a brief half-mile trail to the waterfall’s overlook. The 80-foot-tall waterfall is surrounded by granite cliffs and a sandy cove. There is no access to the shore.
If McWay Falls is the only attractions you wish to see in the park, there is an overlook on the side of Highway 101 before entering the park. The view from this pullout is comparable to that from the trail, but without the entrance fee.
PARTINGTON COVE
If you wish to continue hiking in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, the Partington Cove Trail is available. It is a mile-long trek.
Partington inlet is a desolate inlet in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, located below Partington Point. There isn’t much sand at the cove, so if you’re looking for a beach day, you should probably seek elsewhere.
From the main road, the trail divides into two separate paths. The initial one descends to the stony shoreline within the cove. The second trail leads to another cove’s vantage point. The second trail actually passes through a 60-foot-long tunnel.
PFEIFFER FALLS
This lovely trail will lead you through the Big Sur Redwood forests. Near the lodge begins one of the most popular treks in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This trail is suitable for all skill levels and is ideal for picnicking.
GARRAPATA STATE PARK
There are approximately two miles of shoreline at Garrapata State Park, as well as a 50-foot climb to dramatic views of the littoral. There are also numerous coastal hiking trails that wind throughout the park. The vista from Soberanes Point is also breathtaking.
As a result of trail closures, this is now an out-and-back trail. The trail leads trekkers to the coastline’s border.
The Garrapata State Park Bluff Trail provides convenient access to ocean vistas.
PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground is one of the finest campgrounds. In addition to camping, the park is an excellent location for hiking and swimming in the Big Sur River. Big Sur is one of the finest locations in Northern California for RV camping.
Check out The Dyrt, the most popular camping app, if you’re searching for a fantastic camping spot in the area. The Dyrt Pro provides extraordinary tools that greatly facilitate travel planning:
PFEIFFER BEACH
Pfeiffer Beach is one of the landmarks of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It is somewhat difficult to locate if you do not know what you are searching for. If you are utilizing Google Maps, you should be able to simply input the route into your GPS. On the west side of the road, there is a sign (illustrated below) indicating where to turn.
The beach’s highlights are the manganese garnet-infused purple sand and Keyhole Rock. This is one of the enjoyable activities available in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. While we were there, there were only a few other persons at the shore.
The waters were too turbulent for swimming, but Rowen and Raven relished playing in the smaller wade pools.
One of the best activities to do in Big Sur State Park is to observe the sunset from Pfeiffer Beach.