Big Sur - Top 12 Highlights

For the first week of Spring I couldn’t think of a better place to explore than the beauty of Big Sur. Join me as we explore 12 of my favorite locations. Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a FREE downloadable Big Sur Top 12 Travel Guide.

Sand Dollar Beach

Sand Dollar Beach is home to the largest public beach in Big Sur. Here you can enjoy the incredible coastal cliffs, grilling up goodies at one of the shaded BBQ pits, and strolling along the pristine sandy shoreline. See my full Sand Dollar Beach blog post here.

Jade Cove

Located just south of Sand Dollar Beach, Jade Cove was once home to large amounts of jade. While most of what you see here now is the imposter stone (serpentine), a short adventurous hike leads to this rugged and beautiful spot in Big Sur. See my full Jade Cove post here.

Pacific Valley Bluff Trail

Head to the southern edge of Big Sur for this wonderful hike located just off Highway 1. Cattle roam along the flat path which leads to incredible cliff tops, and in the Spring this trail often blooms with poppies. See my full Pacific Valley Bluff Trail post here.

Garrapata State Park

Covering almost 3,000 acres at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountain range, Garrapata State Park reaches from the rugged sea caves and rocky shoreline to the deep inland canyons and steep mountainous terrain. See my full Garrapata State Park blog post here.

Calla Lily Valley

Located inside Garrapata State Park, this spot has become quite popular in recent years with the rise of social media. If you are planning a visit, it’s important to be aware that the Calla Lillies are only visible for a few months every year…and nettle plant and poison oak are abundant in the area. See my full Calla Lily Valley blog post here.

Bixby Creek Bridge

Built in the 1930s, Bixby Creek Bridge has been a favorite stop of tourists for nearly a century. In fact the bridge is so popular, it was named the #1 “Instagram Worthy Destination” for 2019 by travepulse.com. See my full Bixby Creek Bridge post here.

Salmon Creek Falls

Heading just a mile inland from the coast and nestled at the edge of the Santa Lucia Mountain range in Los Padres National Forest, Salmon Creek Falls crashes down 120 feet into crystal clear water. See my full Salmon Creek Falls post here.

San Carpoforo Creek Beach

Located just 15 miles north of the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, a large lagoon and sand bar are present here most of the year. The north end of the beach rolls out from soft sand into giant rocky cliffs. If you head to the south side during low tide, you can explore a smaller secondary beach, Ragged Point Beach. See my full San Carpoforo Creek Beach post here.

Black Swift Falls at Ragged Point Inn and Resort

“Portal to Big Sur” art installation at Ragged Point Inn and Resort

Ragged Point Inn & Black Swift Falls

The Ragged Point Inn & Resort at the southern edge of Big Sur is a popular pit stop as you head up into Big Sur. A gentle nature trail winds around the grounds leading to a spot lovingly (and accurately) referred to as “the million dollar view” of Big Sur. For more of an adventure, take the short but strenuous Black Swift Falls Trail down to the nearly 300 ft Ragged Point waterfall. See my full Black Swift Falls at Ragged Point post here.

Treebones Resort

Big Sur offers a vast range of lodging options from primitive campsites at Kirk Creek Campground to the incredibly luxurious (and expensive) Ventana or Post Ranch Inn. However, one of my personal favorite accommodations has to be Treebones Resort. This family owned eco-resort has been welcoming guest for two decades…the staff is incredibly kind and the food at the restaurant is first rate. You can stay at one of the campsites, an actual treehouse, or a luxury autonomous tent (just to name a few of the options). See my full Treebones post here.

Limekiln State Park

Three beautiful trails lead to vastly different highlights in this park. Here you can discover the historic lime kilns, the oldest redwoods in Big Sur, and a 100 foot waterfall. You can also enjoy a beachfront stroll or camp among the redwoods. See my full Limekiln State Park post here.

McWay Falls

Located inside Juilia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls flows year round from McWay Creek. This 80 foot waterfall is actually a tide fall during high tide. See my full McWay Falls blog post here.

Big Sur coastline in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Know before you go

• Please join me in following the Leave No Trace Principles. If we leave this place better than we found it, we will be rewarded with years of natural wonder. If you’re unfamiliar with The Big Sur Pledge, I encourage you to familiarize yourself prior to heading out to this beautiful area.

• I’ve heard people refer to Big Sur as “God’s country”, “otherworldly”, and “life changing”...and I don’t disagree. This is an incredible place, but it is also a sensitive vulnerable land...local infrastructure is not set up to support mass visitors as many of our local state and national parks are. There are nearly 70 miles of Highway 1 coastline without access to travel services, such as gas, food, trash and restrooms, so please do your research before your visit.

• There is no cell service in most of Big Sur, so prepare and plan ahead.

• Be sure to abide by all posted signs, as they are for your safety and for the preservation of the ecosystem and the beautiful wildlife that resides in it.

Top 12 Big Sur Attractions

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thanks so much for exploring Big Sur with me this week. For a virtual visit to my favorite locations here, make sure to check out the Behind the Blog YouTube video below. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.

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