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Exploring Big Sur's wild coast "Big Sur conjures it all: redwoods, waterfalls, hot tubs, hippies, beatniks, Jack Kerouac and Henry Miller, in no particular order. If ever a place represented the freedom and beauty of California, this is it." - Sunset Magazine Big Sur is eighty-miles of what some have called the most heartbreakingly beautiful coast in the world. Highway 1 winds from San Simeon to the south to Carmel to the north; stretching above hundreds of feet of cliff and the boundless blue of the Pacific Ocean. We invite you to explore the splendid beauty of Big Sur. Below we offer some of our favorite spots for hiking, quiet, reflection, romance and renewal. Let us pack you a brown bag full of goodies to take with you on your adventure. Although there is no "town" of Big Sur, a small post office and a number of restaurants, stores, shops and gas stations are located along the same six-mile section of Highway 1. A note to the wise… It is almost always sweater weather in Big Sur. Summer fog alternates with warm sunshine, and winter days are bright with intermittent rainfall. Early mornings, as well as evenings can be chilly.
Big Sur Sites and Hikes South of Deetjens Coast Gallery 2.3 miles south of the Inn, the Coast Gallery is one of the most prominent arts & crafts outlets in the region. Coast Gallery boasts a wide range of works by Big Sur artists, including Henry Miller Lithographs. Partington Cove and the Tanbark Trail Partington Cove, 5.4 miles south of Deetjens on Highway 1, is a hiker's paradise. Walk through woods of redwoods, bubbling creeks, rapids and cascades. Please ask a Deetjens staff member for detailed directions to Partington Cove. On the east side of Highway 1 is the Tanbark Trail. This is a 6-mile loop that we recommend for beauty. Watch out for the "Tin House". If you do the loop past the "Tin House" it will lead you about 1 mile south on Highway 1. You will then have to walk back up to your car on the highway.
J.P. Burns, home to spectacular McWay Waterfalls, the only waterfall on the California coast that empties directly into the sea, sits 7.25 miles from Deetjens south on Highway 1. After you enter the park on the east side, walk beneath the highway through the tunnel to reach the falls. Ewoldsen Trail, a 6-mile loop under the redwoods that starts out along McWay Creek, is one of our favorite hikes. 10.8 miles south of Deetjens on the west side of Highway 1, Esalen is famous for its mineral baths and wellness workshops. Reservations must be made for a massage or you must be a registered guest to enter the grounds. Clothing at the mineral baths is optional. For reservations call (831) 667-3000. Big Sur Sites and Hikes North of Deetjens Henry Miller came to Big Sur in 1944 for a visit and stayed for eighteen years. Artist and dear friend of Miller's, Emil White donated his home and personal collection of Miller's books to create the library. The literary shrine is also home to music, poetry, art shows and dramatic readings on a semi-regular basis. Closed Mondays. The library is located .25 miles north of Deetjens on Highway 1. The gift shop at Nepenthe, The Phoenix Shop, is full of treasures made by artisans the world over. They also have a large variety of books written on the region. Coast Ridge Road Follow the driveway just outside the entrance of Ventana up the hill to Coast Ridge Road. You will pass a whale statue and then come to a locked gate. That is the beginning of Coast Ridge Road. It goes up to the Coastal Range and has some fantastic views. You can hike for miles. Trail maps of the forest are available from the U.S. Forest Service and are necessities for the serious hiker.
Located 4 miles north of the Inn, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is 821 awesome acres of redwood forests, miles of trails, impressive rock formations, sunning spots, places for picnics, swimming holes along the Big Sur River, and more. The Big Sur River Gorge is in the back of the park. It is a wonderful spot for a swim and a picnic. The oldest redwood is located near the back of the park near the baseball field. Molera Beach lies at the mouth of the Big Sur River and offers stunning trails along the bluffs a 1-mile walk from the parking area. 8.5 miles north of the Inn, there are endless trails through meadows and forest. Cooper Cabin is the oldest Big Sur structure and is located among the eucalyptus trees going out toward the beach. You must cross the river to access the beach. There is a footbridge most of the year, but it is removed in winter months. Horseback riding is available and there are great bird-watching opportunities, with Andrew Molera State Park having the most diverse avian population in Big Sur.
Old Coast Road Old Coast Road is located across the highway of the entrance of Andrew Molera State Park. It was the road used before the Highway 1 was built. It is a beautiful 13-mile drive on a country dirt road, which ends 8.5 miles north near Bixby Bridge. It is not passable in wet weather. Located 11 miles north of the Inn, tours are available. (831) 625-4419 Big Sur Health Center is located 5.5 miles north of the Inn. We hope you will not need to see it during your visit. Exploring the Monterey Peninsula Photos courtesy of Larry Brownstein and Catherine Karnow Home | The Story & The Legend |
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