big sur roadtrip
when i think of big sur I think of secret surf spots, the opening scenes of pretty little lies, and an epic coastline.
this summer I finally was able to see for myself and will confirm it is all this, and more.
the coastline of big sur is the longest stretch (somewhere between 90 and 100 miles) of undeveloped coastline in the united states. in my opinion, it is truly hard to beat. the coastline is rugged and rocky with incredible vistas that are uninterrupted by the typical signage or development that you see almost everywhere else. there are some houses along the coast, but even those seem to be tucked away nicely in nature.
there is something for everyone in big sur, from extremely (and I mean extremely) nice hotels, to spiritual retreats, to hiking trails, to campsites, to restaurants boasting some of california’s best views.
whether you are coming from the north or the south, you are going to be driving through big sur on highway 1. fair warning - there is no cell service in Big Sur. I recommend pinning all the spots you want to stop at in Google maps first so you can make sure you don’t miss any while driving through. With no stops, the drive is about 2 hours from ragged point (southern end) to carmel-by-the-sea (northern end).
here are some stops along the way i’d recommend:
ragged point - this stop is a bit commercial but it is home to the “portal” to big sur. it’s an easy stop off the highway and worth it for the photo (IMO).
portal to big sur
jade cove - a short trail brings you down to the beach at jade cove. this is a great spot to get out, stretch your legs and get some beach time on your way up the coast. there is plenty of parking both in a parking lot and along the road here.
gamboa point - great viewpoint with sweeping views of the coastline.
mcway falls - did you even go to big sur if you didn’t see mcway falls? parking is limited here and it becomes a bit of a cluster quite easily, but when else will you see a waterfall right at the edge of a beach?
mcway falls
partington cove - honestly one of my favorite stops of the trip and I almost hesitate to share it. a short walk down a dirt trail brings you to a small rocky cove that is incredible peaceful with some awesome waves. i could sit here all day.
nepenthe - a must for potentially one of the best views you will have while sipping a glass of wine. you can get dinner here (get reservations!) or order a drink at the bar and sit along the edge looking out over the coast.
view from nepenthe
hurricane point view - there are a lot, a lot of viewpoints along big sur. if you’re looking to bookmark a couple, hurricane point should be on your list!
bixby creek bridge - a quintessential big sur view, this bridge is quite impressive and makes for a great photo. I prefer the car pull out further away from the coastline for a photo as it allows you to get the ocean in the background.
bixby creek bridge
china cove - we walked to this spot from the point lobos trails, but you can also drive to it. this spot was a highlight for me not only for the views but also because we got to see seals sunning on the beach and spotted a peregrine falcon!
point lobos state natural reserve - another favorite spot for me. point lobos has a great network of trails that wind through the reserve and along the coastline. it is really hard to go wrong with which trail you pick. all of the coastline trails offer stunning views and the are fairly short and flat so you can do as many as you like. this is also a great spot to bring kids to! parking is limited here so I recommend arriving early or being ready to be patient for a spot.
point lobos state natural reserve
these were a few of the highlights for me but there are TONS of stops along highway 1. as you drive you’ll see viewpoints basically around any corner, all with great views. there were also a couple trails that I wanted to go on but were closed (ewoldson, canyon..) or that we ran out of time for (salmon creek falls). if you’re looking to do a bit of hiking, I definitely recommend checking these out. AllTrails is great about posting when trails are closed so you can check in advance (also great about posting when there is poison oak along the trails :))
have you been to big sur? have questions about going? lmk!
