Few places in California hold as much drama and beauty as Big Sur, where the turquoise ocean meets impossibly rugged cliffsides, towering redwoods, and the craggy peaks of the Santa Lucia mountain range. Stretching for 90 miles along the Central California coast, from San Simeon to the south to the Carmel highlands to the north, this remote area has inspired countless people, from Beach Boys songs to mid-century modern furniture designs.
But beyond its natural beauty, what is there to do in Big Sur, exactly? If you want to make the most of your time in this stunning coastal region, here are 12 incredible things to do in Big Sur.
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Things to do in Big Sur
1. Explore Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park isn’t quite as well known as some of the other parks around Big Sur, but it offers just as much natural beauty, with two miles of rugged coastline, trails that wind through the redwood trees, and a stunning view of the nearby Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
During our most recent trip to Big Sur, my husband, Justin, and I hiked the short and easy Soberanes Point and Whale Peak Trail, which offers stunning views over the nearby bay and the countless sea stacks jutting out of the water here. But there are several hikes to choose from here!
A few of my favorites are:
- Garrapata Beach: A short hike down to a gorgeous stretch of sand—during springtime, the trail winds through a meadow, thick with calla lily blooms
- Soberanes Canyon Trail: This hidden gem offers a ton of variety, from wildflower meadows to rolling green hills and an impossibly lush forest of ancient redwoods and ferns.
2. Watch sunset at Pfeiffer Beach
For one of the best sunsets in Big Sur, head to Pfeiffer Beach, a stretch of surprisingly purple-y sand that’s surrounded by rugged mountains.
The beach’s main claim to fame is the rock formations that jut out of the water here, including its iconic Keyhole Arch. Waves are constantly crashing against the archway and, at sunset, light glows through the opening.
It’s also a great place to tidepool, especially along its northern end, where you can see sea anemones, crabs, and starfish in small rocky pools at low tide here (you can check the tide schedule here). Just be sure to keep an eye on the waves as the current here is incredibly strong and dangerous.
We visited on a weekday evening and there were only a handful of other people spread out across the sand. It was a super calm and beautiful way to end a day after adventuring around Big Sur.
Entrance here is $15 per car. This seems kind of steep to me, so I’d recommend spending a few hours here to make it worth your while!
The road you take to get here, Sycamore Canyon, is narrow, windy, and unpaved, with a handful of blind curves. We didn’t have any trouble driving it at all in our high-clearance SUV, but be sure to drive slowly and carefully, especially if you have a sedan or other low-clearance vehicle. Vehicles that are longer than 20 feet, RVs, or vehicles with trailers are prohibited on the road.
3. Explore Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which sprawls an impressive 3,762 acres along the California coastline, is one of the most popular landmarks in Big Sur.
Its most iconic site is McWay Falls, an 80 foot cascade that’s one of only about 30 waterfalls on the planet that empty directly into the ocean.
There’s usually a 0.4 mile trail to an overlook of the falls, but since November 2024 (and when Justin and I visited), it’s unfortunately been closed, due to ongoing maintenance. Instead, there’s a small viewing area right along the Pacific Coast Highway—I’ve h
There are also some hiking trails in the park. For example, the Ewoldsen Trail is largely recognized as the best day hike in Big Sur, which snakes under ancient redwood trees (some of the tallest in the area!), through rolling grasslands, and along the stunning coastline. Partington Cove Trail is also pretty unique, taking you down a steep road and through a cool tunnel that looks like something out of an old time-y mine, which leads to a platform overlooking a rocky cove, filled with turquoise waters.
4. Look for California condors
Big Sur has one of the largest populations of California condors, with about 100 birds nesting in the area. California condors are quite special—beyond just being the largest land bird in North America, they also actually went extinct in the wild in the 1980s. However, thanks to conservation efforts and captive breeding programs, there are now about 600 condors on the planet.
One of the best places to see them also happens to be one of my favorite places to watch sunset in Big Sur—the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point, which overlooks seemingly endless layers of sea cliffs and mountains that stretch to the south. The condors like hanging out along the cliffsides, especially in the early morning or evening, to glide on the thermal updrafts here.
Confession—we spent several hours here trying to spot a condor around sunset and, while we did see plenty of beautiful views amidst the glowy light of the setting sun, we didn’t see any condors here (the photos of the condor in this articles are actually from Pinnacles National Park, about two hours away, where we saw LOTS of condors!). If you strike out here, like us, we’ve also heard they like to hang out near the entrance of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, especially near its flagpole.
The Ventana Wildlife Society, who is responsible for releasing captive-bred condors and managing their population here, also offers a variety of educational programs on Sundays, from June through August. You can check out the schedule here.
5. Try to spot wildlife at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
One of our favorite things to do in Big Sur is explore Point Lobos, an absolutely beautiful protected area along the coastline with TONS of wildlife-spotting opportunities.
You could spend several hours in this park, but here are a few of the highlights:
Sea Lion Point
This is a short stroll from the parking lot, which overlooks a sea stack that hundreds of sea lions use as a resting spot. The sea stack is kind of far away, so if you want to see the sea lions, I’d suggest bringing along some binoculars!
China Cove
One of the prettiest places in Point Lobos, with a white sandy beach that’s usually strewn with harbor seals and crystal clear turquoise water
Cypress Grove Trail
This hike winds through a forest of cypress trees, with some really unique overlooks of hidden coves and waves crashing against the sea stacks. I love how you can hear the nearby sea lions barking along most of the trail!
Weston Beach
One of the best places in Big Sur to go tidepooling, with tons of rocky pockets full of sea creatures at low tide
Whalers Cove
We saw an adorable sea otter snacking on clams and kelp here—apparently, this is a great place to spot them, given that they love hanging out in the calm, protected waters here.
Point Lobos is located just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea and can get extremely busy. We visited on a weekday around 10 AM and were one of the last cars to get in before the ranger closed the park, due to lack of parking. So I’d suggest getting here early, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or during the busier summer season.
6. Backpack to Sykes Hot Springs
For an epic backpacking trip, consider hiking to Sykes Hot Springs, a challenging 20 mile trail through the Ventana Wilderness with multiple water crossings. The hike has a decent amount of variety, with beautiful views of lush valleys and dense forests of pines and redwoods (keep an eye out for banana slugs here!).
The main highlight along the trail is Sykes Hot Springs, a rocky pool that’s tucked along the Big Sur River. The pool is pretty small, fitting only about four or so people, so you might have to wait your turn to enjoy soaking in it, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.
You don’t need a permit to hike the trail, but you are required to self-register at the trailhead. Additionally, parking is $10 per calendar day you’re parked at the trailhead—cash only!
Also, be mindful of the temperature here. It can feel significantly hotter when you’re hiking along the exposed ridgelines here, away from the coastline and above the marine layer (like, 10-15° F hotter than Big Sur). I’d definitely recommend bringing plenty of water and a water filter—there are thankfully tons of water sources here, if you need it!
7. Visit the Henry Miller Memorial Library
Before Big Sur served as a vacation destination for Silicon Valley millionaires, it was a place for artists and dreamers. Unfortunately, it feels like a lot of that bohemian spirit has gotten priced out, but there still are pockets of whimsy to be found, like the Henry Miller Memorial Library.
“Library” is used VERY loosely here—instead, this place is part bookstore (heavy on the beatnik authors), part gallery, and part gathering place, with events ranging from cabaret shows to book readings and intimate Belle and Sebastian concerts.
Even if your visit doesn’t align with any of the events, it’s still worth popping in to browse the shelves and wander around its terrace, surrounded by massive redwood trees. There are also two very sweet puppies and a cat that are regular fixtures in the store!
8. Spot marine life at Seal Beach Overlook
There are tons of scenic overlooks along the Pacific Coast Highway, fighting for your attention, in Big Sur, but the Seal Beach Overlook should definitely be on your list!
There’s a stunning view of the coastline, but also, a thin strip of beach to the south where sea lions often rest. Again, the beach is pretty far from the viewpoint, so, if you want a closer look at them, I’d suggest bringing binoculars.
Truth be told, we didn’t see any sea lions here when we visited, but I suspect the tide might have been too high when we stopped (you can check the tide chart here).
This is also supposed to be a great place to spot condors. Even if you don’t spot any wildlife here, it’s still absolutely worth visiting, especially around sunset.
9. Have a drink while sitting in the river at the Big Sur River Inn
One of the most iconic things to do in Big Sur is getting a drink at this local inn, which infuses its own spirits in house. While the cocktails here are good, Big Sur River Inn has become renowned for its unique seating arrangement, with a bevy of Adirondack chairs that sit directly in the babbling water of the Big Sur River. It definitely feels nice to put your bare feet in the cool water, especially on a hot summer day!
Beyond its beloved Adirondack chairs, there are a handful of other fun features here, like a little retro bus that serves coffee and ice cream and a surprisingly solid burrito bar in its general store.
Be forewarned—we thought everything here was pretty overpriced (even more so than the rest of Big Sur). If you’re hankering for a drink, I think it’s worth it to stop in for a beer or cocktail, but I personally wouldn’t recommend making a whole evening of it.
10. Swim at the Big Sur River Gorge
If you’re visiting during the warmer summer months, the best swimming hole in the area is the Big Sur River Gorge, a rocky canyon with pools of crystal clear water.
To access this swimming hole, you need to hike about half a mile down a trail. A portion of the hike is along a paved path, but most of it is scrambling along slippery river rocks and through the river.
I’d strongly recommend wearing hiking sandals with good traction, like our beloved Tevas (here’s the pair that I wear and here’s the pair that Justin wears) and being super careful with your footing. It would be INCREDIBLY easy to fall and hurt yourself here.
Also, be prepared for the water to be FROSTY! I had read that the water was cold here, but I was not prepared for how chilly the water truly is!
11. Wander around Caramel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea, the town directly north of Big Sur, looks like something out of a Nancy Meyers fever dream, with overflowing flower boxes, whimsical buildings, and stunning ocean views.
It’s worth spending an afternoon, moseying around and exploring the town—it actually has the highest density of restaurants, per capita, of any small town in the United States, plus more than 50 art galleries per square mile!
Some of my favorite stops:
- The Tuck Box: A retro diner, tucked inside a cottage that looks straight out of a fairytale. Don’t miss the scones!
- Folktale Winery: This is a winery with a gorgeous garden, sweeping vineyard views, and killer pizza. Reservations required!
- Mission Ranch: This 1800s ranch, owned by Clint Eastwood, overlooks rolling green hills, dotted by grazing sheep, with peekaboo glimpses of Point Lobos off in the distance. I’d suggest coming here for drinks at sunset—the Pink Whale is my favorite cocktail!
12. Check out Big Sur’s food scene
For being a remote, unincorporated stretch of coastline, there is some seriously good food and drinks to be had in Big Sur.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Big Sur Taco Truck: This taco truck moves, so you’ll have to follow them on your social media to see where they’re at when you’re visiting. But, when we stopped here, they were parked along a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, with nothing but views of the sparkling turquoise ocean and rugged cliffs for miles and miles. We enjoyed a vegetarian burrito bowl here and I’ve heard that their shrimp tacos are killer.
- Nepenthe Restaurant: This is probably the most iconic restaurant in Big Sur, with a storied history going back 75 years and some of the best views along the California coast. The menu here is classic American, with a focus on using local ingredients. I’d definitely suggest making reservations here.
If you don’t want to spring for $40+ for most of the entrees, I’d suggest coming instead to Cafe Kevah, a small eatery located on the terrace below the restaurant with solid coffee offerings and tasty lunchtime staples, like sandwiches and salads. - Ragged Point Espresso Bar and Bakery: Whenever we’ve made the drive from San Simeon to Big Sur, we always like to stop at the espresso bar at Ragged Point. Grab a coffee (and maybe a fruit tart), stroll around the grounds, and take in the coastal views. You won’t regret it!
- Fernwood Tavern: For a different vibe, this outdoor eatery is situated under a forest of redwood trees, with elevated bar food, fun cocktails, and live music.
How to get to Big Sur
Generally, the only way to get to Big Sur is by driving along the iconic Highway One, also called the Pacific Coast Highway.
If you’re flying to California, the two closest airports to Big Sur are San Jose Mineta International Airport, about two and a half hours north, or the San Francisco Airport, about three hours north. From here, you’ll need a rental car.
Before you fly anywhere, though, I’d strongly recommend checking Big Sur’s road conditions (here’s a good place to start).
Because of the steep, dramatic cliffsides here, it’s not unusual for sections of Highway 1 to be closed, due to landslides, rockslides, or other debris, which can lead to Big Sur becoming inaccessible from certain directions. For example, Big Sur was inaccessible from its north side, near Carmel, for three years, due to Paul’s and Regent’s landslides. So be flexible and ready to adjust your plans if needed.
We drove Highway One about a week after it was open after the aforementioned three week closure and, somehow, it closed down AGAIN, about a week or so after we drove it, due to yet another landslide.
If you’d prefer for someone else to take the wheel, so you can enjoy the spectacular scenery here, there are plenty of tours that you can join, depending on where you’re coming from.
For example, this private tour, for up to 12 people, departs from Monterey and is customizable, depending on where you want to stop and explore in Big Sur.
Alternatively, if you’re coming from the Bay Area, here’s a 12 hour private tour from San Francisco, that includes stops at Monterey Bay, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and some of the most famous viewpoints in Big Sur. If you’re more interested in just exploring Big Sur, this private tour from San Jose focuses on this stretch of the coastline, with a hike through the redwoods in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and drinks at the Big Sur River Inn.
Where to Stay in Big Sur
Despite being a popular tourist destination, Big Sur doesn’t have a ton of accommodation options to choose from. Most of the hotels and lodges are on the more basic or rustic side, but still cozy and perfect to spend a weekend (or a week!) in this beautiful place.
Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Big Sur:
Big Sur Campground and Cabins
This property is located in the heart of the Redwoods, right alongside the babbling Big Sur River. Some of the cabins have their own kitchens and balconies, while all guests can enjoy a big communal fire pit, complimentary coffee (all day!), and even a free innertube rental to float down the river if you’re visiting in the summer.
Big Sur Lodge
In terms of amenities, this lodge, which offers charming cabins tucked away in the Redwoods, probably has the most to offer of the more “budget-friendly” hotels in the area (because accommodations are so limited in the area, though, you should still expect to pay at least $400 per night!). For example, there’s a pool, onsite bar, and even live music in the summertime! Beyond its fun perks and its location, RIGHT outside of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the rooms are spacious and spotless.
Big Sur River Inn
If you’re looking to stay someplace to experience nightlife in this generally quiet area, this is the iconic bar where you sit directly in the Big Sur River. Like the options mentioned above, the Big Sur River Inn is conveniently located state parks and Pfeiffer Beach, plus there are lots of amenities located directly onsite, including a general store and restaurant. It is known for being a bit noisy, though, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, I’d suggest looking elsewhere!
Alila Ventana Big Sur
This is, by far, the most luxurious property in Big Sur, with inclusive meals, multiple heated swimming pools, and complimentary activities, like yoga classes while overlooking the Pacific. There are a variety of accommodations, from suites to cottages, which offer a variety of amenities, like hot tubs, fireplaces, and terraces. If you’re heading to Big Sur on your honeymoon or just have an unlimited budget (hi, can we be friends?!), this would definitely be my recommendation of where to stay.
There you have it—some of the absolute best things to do in Big Sur! Enjoy this spectacular corner of California. It truly has to be one of the most beautiful places in the United States!
Do you have any questions about visiting Big Sur? Let us know in the comments below!
