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California, United States

Big Sur

Drive it slowly over a full day, stopping at pullouts, one or two short hikes and a cliffside lunch. We have mapped 2 sights, 1 activity and 3 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Big Sur with friendsBrowse 9 places
Big Sur, California, United States
Places
9

2 See · 1 Do · 3 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Pacific Coast Highway

Best season
Apr – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
September

21°C / 69°F avg high

Coolest month
January

14°C / 58°F avg high

Wettest month
December

about 106 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Big Sur

9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

2 sights worth building a day around across Northern Big Sur and Big Sur. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Bixby Creek Bridge in Big SurPhoto: JINU · Google
    See

    Bixby Creek Bridge

    1932 concrete arch bridge, the most photographed spot on Highway 1.

    Tip Use the north-side pullout; check Caltrans for Highway 1 closures before driving.

    • Northern Big Sur
    • Free
    • 20 min
    • Late afternoon
  • Henry Miller Memorial Library in Big SurPhoto: Sarah Wulfeck · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Henry Miller Memorial Library

    Bookstore and arts space in the redwoods honoring the writer.

    • Big Sur
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Afternoon

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Northern Big Sur.

  • Point Sur Lightstation in Big SurPhoto: Emilio · Google
    Do

    Point Sur Lightstation

    Guided tours of an 1889 lighthouse atop a volcanic rock.

    Tip Tours run on set days only; meet at the gate on Highway 1.

    • Northern Big Sur
    • $
    • 3 hr
    • Weekend morning

Outdoors

3 outdoor spots for fresh air across Big Sur Valley, Big Sur and Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP.

  • Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in Big SurPhoto: Bigsursectorstaff · CC0
    Outdoors

    Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

    Redwood groves along the Big Sur River with trails to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View.

    • Big Sur Valley
    • $
    • 2 hr
    • Morning
  • Pfeiffer Beach in Big SurPhoto: Bradley Weber · CC BY 2.0
    Outdoors

    Pfeiffer Beach

    Purple-streaked sand and Keyhole Arch at the end of narrow Sycamore Canyon Road.

    Tip Unmarked turn; small lot fills fast. Arch glows near winter solstice.

    • Big Sur
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset
  • McWay Falls in Big SurPhoto: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    McWay Falls

    80-foot waterfall dropping onto a cove beach, reached by a short flat path.

    Tip Park inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP rather than on the highway shoulder.

    • Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Afternoon

Eat

Where we would book a table in Big Sur across Big Sur and Castro Canyon.

  • Nepenthe in Big SurPhoto: California Historical Society · No restrictions
    Eat

    Nepenthe

    Clifftop restaurant since 1949 with long coastal views from the terrace.

    Tip Order the Ambrosia burger; Cafe Kevah below is a lighter option.

    • Big Sur
    • $$$
    • 75 min
    • Lunch
  • Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant in Big SurPhoto: Ed Anderson, HABS photographer · Public domain
    Eat

    Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant

    Candlelit dinners and hearty breakfasts in a 1930s redwood inn tucked into Castro Canyon.

    Tip Dinner by reservation only; no dinner Wed-Thu.

    • Castro Canyon
    • $$$
    • 1.5 hr
    • Evening

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Big Sur in Big Sur Valley.

  • Big Sur River Inn in Big SurPhoto: Brian Lopez · Public domain
    Drink

    Big Sur River Inn

    Roadside inn where you can sit in chairs set in the river with a drink.

    Tip Summer is best for the river chairs.

    • Big Sur Valley
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Summer afternoon

How to fit Big Sur into a trip

Big Sur is stop 3 of 6 on our Pacific Coast Highway route. Follow it as-is or lift Big Sur into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Big Sur month by month

Average daily highs run from 14°C / 58°F in January to 21°C / 69°F in September. December is the wettest month, with about 106 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Big Sur weather and the best time to visit →

Near Big Sur

8 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Big Sur questions, answered

How many days do you need in Big Sur?

Our route notes suggest a full day in Big Sur. On our Pacific Coast Highway route it is stop 3 of 6 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Big Sur best known for?

Drive it slowly over a full day, stopping at pullouts, one or two short hikes and a cliffside lunch. Standouts on our list: Bixby Creek Bridge (1932 concrete arch bridge, the most photographed spot on Highway 1); Henry Miller Memorial Library (Bookstore and arts space in the redwoods honoring the writer); Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (Redwood groves along the Big Sur River with trails to Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View).

When is the best time to visit Big Sur?

Our Pacific Coast Highway route is best Apr – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in September (21°C / 69°F), the coolest in January (14°C / 58°F) and the most rain in December (about 106 mm).

What are the best things to do in Big Sur?

Start with Bixby Creek Bridge, Point Sur Lightstation, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Pfeiffer Beach and Henry Miller Memorial Library. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Big Sur?

Our picks: Nepenthe (Big Sur); Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant (Castro Canyon). Order the Ambrosia burger; Cafe Kevah below is a lighter option (Nepenthe).

What is near Big Sur?

The closest destinations in our guides are Monterey & Carmel (about 37 km / 23 mi), San Simeon (about 87 km / 54 mi) and San Francisco (about 176 km / 109 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Big Sur with your crew

Open the Pacific Coast Highway route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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