Location: Big Sur
Top Things to do in Big Sur
10 Things to do Good for Couples in Big Sur That You Shouldn't Miss
Jagged cliffs pummeled by surf line the Pacific Coast Highway along Big Sur, creating some of California's most memorable ocean vistas between Carmel and the northern tip of San Luis Obispo County. Jack Kerouac and Henry Miller found inspiration in its fog-banked canyons and meadows. Gray whales migrate past twice a year, and elephant seals bask on the sandy shores. Luxury hotels, restaurants and art galleries cluster in a six-mile strip, giving way to redwood-filled state parks on either side.
Restaurants in Big Sur
1. Big Sur Tours and More
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 254 reviews
Custom tours of California's Central Coast; don't be a tourist, be a traveler!
2. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States
The Big Sur is famous for being a remote, rugged and spectacularly beautiful coastline and while one can easily spend several days exploring this stretch of coastline between Carmel and San Simeon, connected by the Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1), it is also very possible to see and experience a lot in a single day as we did. Getting an early start, we took a long day to drive this 90 mile (145k) stretch of the PCH which takes one by the spectacular rocky coast, with waves crashing, and dotted by sandy beaches. We stopped at many pullouts to get a good look as well as a number of state beaches and parks including Garrapata, Pfeiffer Beach, Julia Pfeiffer Burns and Limekiln. Along the way we saw historic bridges, lighthouses, redwoods, wildflowers, waterfalls, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and even purple sand (Pfeiffer Beach) with the final stop being the elephant seal rookery at Piedras Blancas, just north of San Simeon, where we saw hundreds. Following the spectacular day, we were left with no doubt as to the well-deserved fame and reputation of this stretch of coast and hope to return some day to see more.
3. The Esalen Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Reviewed By wanderlustforsure - Pacific Grove, United States
Esalen has always held a certain fascination & allure & its re-opening post CoVid as a reflective retreat experience seemed the perfect time to visit. With safety guidelines in place & offering 1-7 night retreats, guests have access to the beautiful campus grounds (organic garden, swimming pool, Adirondack chairs on the lawn overlooking the ocean), signature mineral baths & massage (by appointment), three fresh abundant organic healthy meals (vegan or omnivore packaged for outdoor or in-room dining) & comfortable accommodations in an unparalleled oceanfront cliffside experience. An engaging & well-trained staff are welcoming & available. As one of the first guests during reopening everything seemed to run seamlessly, a truly perfect experience at this classic CA icon. Thank you Liz & everyone else who made my visit special, eager to return!
4. Bixby Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,386 reviews
This historical bridge is a popular subject for photographers.
Reviewed By Gus6 - Los Angeles, United States
Is the perfect ending for your Big Sur trip The view of this bridge is amazing and you have pretty good parking space on the north side to park for a few minutes and enjoy the vies and take the iconic pictures for your book
5. Point Sur State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
This historic lighthouse located around Point Sur is now a state park.
Reviewed By georgecmeredith - Windsor, Canada
Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway about a half hour south of Carmel is Point Sur Historic State Park. Be sure to make the stop. This is different than Big Sur. There is a state park with Spectacular views of the cliffs and the ocean. You can walk up the hill to the historic area including the Lighthouse. Do not miss this stop if driving by on the Pacific Coast Highway. Absolutely beautiful.
6. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 711 reviews
Reviewed By ArlettgKeating - Rancho Cucamonga, United States
This park is the best of them along Big Sur. Once you get it it feels like you are in the middle of a redwood forest. We went with my 9 year old so we weren't interested in big or long hikes. The walk along the redwoods and river was pefect for us. And theynhave a nice lodge/restaurant too.
7. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,438 reviews
A breathtaking 80-foot waterfall dropping from the cliffs to the ocean is the focal point of this park.
Reviewed By westie2 - Kensington, United States
We stopped in this park on our way through Big Sur. On the entering the park, we were greeted by a flock of stellar jays residing in a tree adjacent to the parking lot that were begging for food. We took the Overlook trail that led us under Highway 1 to a point high on a bluff with a magical view of the McWay Falls that tumble down some 80 feet onto a pristine beach off a picture perfect cove. This proved to be one of the highlights of recent vacation.
8. Big Sur Station
9. Coast Gallery Big Sur
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Fine arts and crafts gallery.
Reviewed By ojoca - San Francisco, United States
With our wedding plans challenged by COVID and then wildfires, we were planning our rehearsal dinner at the last minute. Fortunately we called COAST a week before our wedding and asked if they would be available to host a small gathering of 20 people. Thankfully they were available!! Andrea did an incredible job putting together such a beautiful and safe event on their seaview terrace. We had the opportunity to customize details - like the music, food, and beverages and COAST took care of the rest. Our guests were enamored by the view and the care that the team put into the event... and the food and local wine was BEYOND our expectations! We would highly recommend COAST to anyone as it is a very special place, cared for by wonderful people -- certainly a memory that we will cherish for a lifetime.
10. Pfeiffer Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,346 reviews
Reviewed By mercedcampgirl - Orange, United States
Getting to Pfeiffer Beach off Highway One in Big Sur takes a little time and a day use fee. The turnoff is not easy to see. It is just south of Big Sur Station on the unsigned Sycamore Canyon Road, a one-lane paved road for 2.5 miles (4 km) winding down to Pfeiffer Beach. Drive slowly and anticipate traffic coming back up. CA traffic laws dictate that downhill traffic on one-lane roads must yield the right of way to uphill traffic. At the ranger kiosk, we found that our senior Golden Pass does not work for admission even though Pfeiffer Beach is in the Los Padres National Forest. We paid our $12 and afterwards felt like the fee is only worth it for a full afternoon or at least a few hours. Pfeiffer Beach and its iconic Keyhole Rock are beautiful, but the long, winding road and the fee really, in our opinion, are not worth it if one is only there for a few minutes and a few photos as part of a Big Sur road trip. Bring a picnic lunch and spend some time at Pfeiffer Beach! We did get some pretty photos: please see attached.
