Tour Big Sur on California's Central Coast

Originally known as El Sur Grande (The Big South) Big Sur is home to one of the most picturesque sections of Scenic Highway 1 — California's first Scenic Highway.

The spectacular scenery begins with your first view of the Pacific Ocean as you head south from Carmel. You can see Carmel Bay and Carmel State Beach from the point where Highway 1 meets the coast near the mouth of the Carmel River.

Point Lobos — and Point Lobos State Reserve a popular place for sightseeing, photography, painting, nature study, picnicking, SCUBA diving and jogging — is located three miles south of Carmel.

A little further south is Garrapata State Park covering almost 3,000 acres with two miles of beach front. A 50 foot climb takes you to a beautiful view of the Pacific and you're still 18 miles from Big Sur. It's easy to miss Garrapata State Park as there are no signs. Watch for the sign for Garrapata Creek Bridge which is just south of the two unpaved parking areas on either side of Highway 1.

Go down the short wooden stairs on the ocean side of the road and follow the trail to the edge of the cliff and then to the right until you come to a stream canyon where you can follow the trail down to the beach. The day this picture was taken in early February the air temperature was in the high 60s.

Camping is a popular activity in Big Sur. Several state parks and private campgrounds are available and provide a variety of camping experiences. Some locations are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click the links for more information on camping in state parks; Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns walk-in camps, LimeKiln State Park or Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Other camping options include Forest Service Campgrounds; Bottchers Gap, Kirk Creek Campground and Plaskett Creek Campground, and private campgrounds; Big Sur Campgrounds and Cabins, Fernwood Campground, Riverside Campground and Cabins, Treebones Resort and Ventana Big Sur Campground.

Just over 13 miles south of Carmel historic Bixby Bridge is often used in advertisements for cars, credit cards and airlines because of its beautiful location. The two lane arch bridge over Bixby Creek was completed in 1932, part of a public works project during the Great Depression.

Jack Kerouac wrote about the area and his visit to Lawrence Ferlinghetti's Bixby Canyon cabin in his book Big Sur. The bridge and the highway have become symbolic of the natural beauty and freedom of the California coast and lifestyle.

One of the oldest types of bridges, arch bridges have great natural strength in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. In order to complete the costal highway five canyons needed to be spanned. Further down the coast another arch bridge crosses Big Creek.

You can get a feel for what travel down the coast was like before Bixby Bridge and the section of Highway 1 to the south were constructed by taking The Old Coast Road from Bixby Bridge to Andrew Molera State Park. This winding dirt road — a single lane wide and quite a rough ride much of the way — is only passable by two wheel drive in dry weather. Forest, farmland and Pacific Ocean views are worth the trip if you have the time. You may see more bikes than cars — we met just one other vehicle.

There's lots to see as you travel along the coast including two lighthouses — Point Sur Lighthouse to the north and Piedras Blancas Lighthouse near the southern end — redwood forests and parks — Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (Ranger Station - information), Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Limekiln State Park (Limekiln Falls) — and numerous beaches.

Julia Pfeiffer State Park is worth a visit if just to make the one-quarter mile trek on the Overlook Trail to one of the best views of the Big Sur California coast you are likely to find. The most famous view is to the south where an 80 foot waterfall drops onto a secluded beach at the oceans edge. A few steps away the view to the north is also spectactular.

Migrating whales can frequently be seen from the benches at the end of the Overlook Trail during December and January. Sea otters, harbor seals and California seal lions can sometimes be spotted in the cove.

The state park is named after a pioneer woman who was well respected in the Big Sur country.

360° panorama
Big Sur and CA coast

Cattle graze near the ocean at Big Sur

In the surf at
Garrapata State Park

Bixby Bridge

Big Creek Bridge

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A little further north on Highway 1 one of the many view points provides limited parking and a look back down the coast to this same cove. The waterfall is located near the center of this picture but is just out of view from this vantage point.

Generally cool weather even in the summer and difficult to reach, Big Sur beaches are still worth the effort. Most recommended are Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Beach and Sandollar Beach. You can also get to the ocean in Big Sur at Garrapata Beach, Partington Cove, Mill Creek and Willow Creek. Beachcombers and rock hounds may want to visit Jade Cove.

For the ultimate California Vacation Tour take an all-inclusive 9 day tour begining with 2 days at The Sheraton at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco continuing to Yosemite Lodges at Yosemite National Park for another overnight stay, followed by a night in Monterey at Beach Resort Monterey, then travel through Big Sur to the Royal Scandinavian Inn in Solvang before visiting Santa Barbara and Los Angeles on the way to 2 more nights at Sheraton Suites San Diego. Nine meals are included along with a balance of sightseeing and free time to enjoy each exciting destination.

A good way to see Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove and the 17-mile drive and Monterey is with a day trip tour or Luxury SUV Tour from San Francisco. Use our CA Central Coast Hotel Search to book hotel rooms from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara including Big Sur.

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