Big Sur Travel Guide

Even if you’ve never visited Big Sur before, chances are you’ve seen it on social media. The coastline is iconic, particularly Bixby Bridge and the highly Instagrammed McWay Falls. I’ve been dying to stay in Big Sur for years, and finally crossed this trip off my California bucket list. We originally planned on going in December, but had to cancel our trip due to COVID. We randomly chose a weekend in the distant future to visit, and it was so nice to have something to look forward to. Planning frequent staycations and daytrips has been huge for my mental health this year – as we haven’t traveled by plane in over 13 months!

Anyway, Big Sur is officially my favorite spot in California. It checks all of the boxes for me. Being out in nature amidst the most gorgeous scenery and one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed at. It also has fresh organic cuisine and a feeling of being transported far away. Not to mention the drive along the coast is the most beautiful roadtrip scenery (in my opinion). It truly is a bucket list worthy destination – read on for all the details on our weekend getaway.

Big Sur Travel Guide

How to Get to Big Sur

We drove from LA to Big Sur, which is usually around a 5 hour drive. However, due to closures on CA-1 from a rock slide, you have to overshoot while driving north through Carmel and then drive south to reach Big Sur. This adds about an extra hour to the trip, but we made the most of it by stopping in Carmel Valley and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Both are worth visiting on their own! The drive along the coast is stunning and filled with jaw dropping, photo worthy moments. Take your time while driving and stop frequently to take in the beauty of mother nature. If you aren’t roadtripping, the nearest airport is Monterey (MRY – 32 miles from Big Sur). You’ll want a car to get around, unless you plan on staying put at a resort the entire time (no judgement here!).

Best Time of Year to Visit Big Sur

Northern California is fairly temperate the entire year, so there isn’t really a bad time to visit Big Sur. In the summer months you’ll be able to use the pool. It does get quite hot up in the hills or in the valley. The temperature can swing wildly from the morning to midday. And, whether you’re in the forest, by the beach, or hiking on a hill. We packed a LOT of layers during our mid-March visits, and found the evenings to be quite chilly. I think the best time of year would be fall, probably September or October to take advantage of long summers in California.

Where to Stay

There are two high end resorts in Big Sur, and they happen to be conveniently located across the street from one another. Post Ranch Inn and Ventana. You cannot go wrong with either. They can be pricey, but both are all inclusive (minus alcohol) and are absolutely worth the experience. The Ventana happens to be a Hyatt property, so you can actually book your stay on points which makes it effectively free. We stayed at the Ventana and loved it – the service was incredible and we loved the food so much, we ate every meal there. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, there are various campsites throughout Big Sur that you can book in advance.

What to Do

There actually is not too much to do in Big Sur. I personally loved the simplicity of the area and how relaxing our trip was.

+ See the sights. If you’ve never seen McWay Falls, it’s worth seeing once. But most of the surrounding trails are closed at the moment. When driving in or out of Big Sur, stop at Bixby Bridge for a photo worthy moment.

+ Hiking – we did an 8 mile hike at Andrew Molera State Park that was so much fun. There are a few steep parts, but it’s mostly an easy to moderate trail that takes you through redwoods, hills, and along the beach. There are tons of trails in Big Sur, so it’s a great destination for hikers!

+ Visit the beach – Pfeiffer Beach has purple sand (which is pretty cool) and a lot of people set up a chair or beach tent and spend the day there.

+ Stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Carmel Valley. Carmel-by-the-Sea has a more upscale (think Big Little Lies) vibe and has great beaches and tasting rooms in town, versus Carmel Valley which feels quieter and more rustic. I love both, and am dying to go back to visit and explore more.

If we had more time I would have probably done another hike and then relaxed more at our resort by the pool or done a spa treatment. Like I said, it’s a very relaxing place to visit. Also, cell service is very limited throughout – which is honestly kind of a pro in my book?

Where to Eat

Dining options are slightly limited in Big Sur, but you can’t go wrong with anything you choose. As of March 2021, several restaurants were still closed, but two of my favorites from driving through Big Sur in the past are:

Big Sur Bakery – there’s always a line for coffee and pastries (which typically sell out by mid morning), but their lunch and dinner offerings are delicious as well, and perfect for a picnic.

Nepenthe – try to request a seat on the patio with a view and order the burger. A quintessential Big Sur spot.

I’ve heard wonderful things about Sierra Mar (the restaurant at Post Ranch Inn), but it is currently open only to guests of the resort. The sushi restaurant at Treebones Resort is also supposed to be phenomenal, but due to the road closures along CA-1 it’s very hard to get to from most of Big Sur.

Have you ever visited Big Sur? What are your favorite spots and things to do?