The 8 Best Hiking Trails in Big Sur, California (CA)

December 21, 2021 Leonardo Torrence

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. Tanbark Trail & Tin House

Highway 1, Big Sur, CA
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Tanbark Trail & Tin House

Reviewed By virbak

We hiked down the trail and the end of the trail was absolutely phenomenal. it felt that once we had gone through the tunnel we were in another world. Absolutely amazing. Virat Bakhshi

2. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur Rd, Big Sur, CA 93920 https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/hiking-trails.html
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 67 reviews

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

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. Partington Cove

Big Sur, CA http://vagabonders-supreme.net/PartingtonCove.htm
Excellent
71%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 90 reviews

Partington Cove

Reviewed By JBRetired - Apple Valley, United States

Ok first coming backup its steep but only 10-15 minutes if you can do that its a must. Go down watch for the little foot bridge cross it and go through the tunnel. You come out the other side into a different world. Think of the boats that docked here in the 1800’s

4. Salmon Creek Falls Trail

Pacific Coast Highway, Big Sur, CA
Excellent
53%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Salmon Creek Falls Trail

Reviewed By ronaldwZ4446OY

Beautiful hike just off HWY 1 near Big Sur. Beautiful scenery and the waterfall was beautiful. Hike was a little rocky but not unmanageable. The scenery is worth every second.

5. Pacific Valley Bluff Trail

Highway at Pacific Valley Ranger Station, Big Sur, CA 93920
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Pacific Valley Bluff Trail

6. Ewoldsen Trail

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, CA 93920 http://www.parks.ca.gov/
Excellent
70%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Ewoldsen Trail

7. Vicente Flat Trail

Big Sur, CA
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

8. Buzzards Roost Trail

Big Sur, CA
Excellent
25%
Good
75%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

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