The Best Things To Do in Big Sur, California
What an absolutely magical place! Big Sur is a beautiful stretch of coastline along the Central Coast of California spanning between San Simeon, CA and Carmel, CA. This mountainous and rugged landscape is accessible by the narrow Highway 1 which hugs the Pacific Ocean giving way to one of the most dramatic and beautiful drives in the world.
This 71 mile stretch of coastline has so many places to explore! From beaches, to waterfalls, hiking and tide pools, Big Sur has it all. Because Big Sur is fairly uninhabited, there aren’t very many lodging options within Big Sur, unless you’re up for car camping.
For out of town visitors, we highly recommend staying in Carmel, CA - a super cute coastal town with great food, shopping, beaches and golfing! Carmel is only 28 minutes away from the Bixby Creek Bridge, one of Big Sur’s most iconic locations.
Book your stay in Big Sur today! Use this link to get $65 off of your first Airbnb stay.
Map Of The Best Places To Visit In Big Sur
The Best Things To Do In Big Sur
Big Sur is notorious for fog and chilly weather, despite being located in Central California. Make sure to pack accordingly as you’ll likely need to wear a down jacket most days out of the year. Covering such a large geographical area, Big Sur has so much to do and so many places to explore. Make sure to pull over along the many beautiful scenic overlooks while driving Highway 1.
We’ve been to Big Sur many times, and have narrowed down an itinerary with some of the best things to do in Big Sur. Our guide below goes from North to South along this beautiful stretch of coastline.
1. Bixby Creek Bridge
Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the most iconic symbols of Big Sur. Driving South from Carmel, CA, this beautiful bridge is part of Highway 1 and spans over the Pacific Ocean. There are several turnouts to take photos of the bridge and we suggest stopping on the North side for some of the best photo opportunities.
2. Andrew Molera State Park
This state park is relatively underdeveloped compared to most state parks, but that’s part of the raw beauty in this stretch of coastline. Andrew Molera has several campsites (~24) available, however, being one of the closest campsites to the Bay Area, it’s often hard to score a reservation.
There is a $10/car fee to park in the Andrew Molera parking lot, and for day use, the park is open from 8am to sunset. Although there are several bluff trails, we highly recommend the Beach Trail, ~1.5 mile each-way, to Andrew Molera Beach. This is a beautiful stretch of coastline for a quick stop, or to spend an entire day.
3. Pfeiffer Beach
Known for its purple tinted sand, this secret little beach is accessible via a small, narrow road from Highway 1, which leads to a very limited parking area. Don’t let that deter you, as this is one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen!
Pfeiffer Beach’s parking area has a staffed gate access with a $10/car fee. It’s highly recommended to arrive early if you want to guarantee you’ll get a parking spot. Without parking, it’s not possible to visit this beach as there is no parking allowed along the ~2 mile narrow road from Highway 1. That being said, you can get lucky midday to score a parking spot as people leave.
Keyhole Arch is one of the most beautiful rock formations in Big Sur. During mid-December to mid-January, on clear days at sunset, you can even catch the sunlight pouring through the keyhole. This beach is such a great place to spend the day!
4. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a well respected pioneer woman in Big Sur, this state park has so much to explore! With some of the highest hikeable overlook bluffs and the stunning McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a must stop for any Big Sur trip.
Like most of the parks in Big Sur, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has a $10/car fee for day use. Although there are several trails to explore, we highly recommend the Ewoldsen trail, a 5 mile loop with some spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from above. McWay Falls, a short walk from the parking lot, is another must see (more below)!
5. McWay Falls
Another icon of Big Sur, and one of only three waterfalls in the USA that flows directly into the ocean, is McWay Falls. The cove’s turquoise water has a nice overlook trail, just a short walk from the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park parking lot. We also recommend going onto Highway 1, being careful of the traffic, for another, higher viewpoint of the cove.
We love visiting McWay Falls for sunset and it’s definitely worth the stop when passing through Big Sur.
6. Limekiln State Park
One of the most southern state parks in Big Sur, Limekiln State Park has some great hiking! This area was used for harvesting limestone between 1887 and 1890 and you can find leftover building remnants from these operations.
There is a $10/car fee for the parking area at Limekiln. Although Limekiln has a small beach, we recommend skipping the beach and hiking to Limekiln Falls. This wooded and shaded trail is a great spot to hike if you happen to be in Big Sur on a hot day. This 1.4 mile out-and-back trail ends at a beautiful waterfall and is a great place to cool down. Double-check the park's status, as it was closed in August 2020 due to a wildfire.
7. Secret Big Sur Highlight: Treebones Resort
Towards the Southern end of Big Sur, there is a really unique “glamping” experience to be had at Treebones Resort. With several yurts, tent camping spots, a couple of treehouses, and the famous “Nest” it’s such a cool experience to stay at Treebones.
To top things off, Treebones Resort is home to the Wild Coast Restaurant and Sushi Bar, The intimate, 8 person sushi bar is a once in a lifetime experience with an incredible chef and some of the best sushi we’ve ever had. Make sure to grab a reservation as the 8 seats fill up quickly!
Pro Tip: “The Nest” at Treebones Resort books over a year in advance. However, the Treebones Twitter will post cancellations and a first-come, first-serve reply to grab a cancellation! We were lucky enough to score The Nest by finding a cancellation on Twitter.
Visiting Big Sur California
Big Sur and the Central Coast of California belongs on any bucket list. This beautiful stretch of coastline is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. With many pullouts looking over rugged cliffs to the Pacific Ocean, it’s truly breathtaking. We hope this guide helps with planning your next trip to Big Sur!