If there’s one place you need to visit in California, it has to be Big Sur. From the rugged coastline to the beautiful mountains, it is hands down one of the prettiest places in the Golden State – and personally one of my favorite spots to visit.
If you’re planning a trip, this guide covers the absolute best things to do in Big Sur. I’ll also go over a few helpful tips to ensure you have an amazing visit, as well as some key information you need to know about fees and the geography of the region.
Where is Big Sur? Understanding the Geography
The geography of Big Sur is a bit confusing, so let’s quickly go over the region. Big Sur spans over 70 miles of the central California coast. Pacific Coast Highway (or Highway 1) is the main artery through the region, taking travelers right along the coast. As you drive, you have the beautiful rocky coastline to the west, and the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east.
Within Big Sur is a range of different California State Parks, as well as historic parks and reserves. Some of the land is also managed by Los Padres National Forest. From north to south, the state parks are:
- Garrapata State Park
- Point Sur State Historic Park
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- John Little State Natural Reserve
- Limekiln State Park
Most of the most popular sights in Big Sur are located in and between Andrew Molera State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. That said, there is a ton to explore all throughout the region.
Last, it’s also important to highlight the town of Big Sur. Generally, when you hear people mention Big Sur, they are talking about the larger region. However, there is also an incorporated town within the region, also called Big Sur. This is where many of the restaurants, hotels, and shops are located.
The 16 Best Things to do in Big Sur
Now that we understand the geography of the area, let’s talk about what to do in Big Sur, CA. In order to help you with your planning process, this list starts on the north end of Big Sur, and moves south down Highway 1.
1. Stroll Through Carmel-By-The-Sea
We’re cheating a bit here and starting with a spot that’s just outside of Big Sur. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming coastal town that is a 15-minute drive from the north end of Big Sur. There’s a range of amazing restaurants, shops, galleries, cafes, bars, and more. This is a great place to stop for a coffee and a bite to eat before starting your day in Big Sur, or for grabbing dinner after. It’s also an ideal place to stay if you’re planning on spending a few days in the area.
2. Explore Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos is a natural reserve located just north of Big Sur. As you hike through the area, you’ll get incredible views of the beautiful coves and coastline.
There are tons of interconnected trails within the reserve, so you can choose your own adventure depending on how much time (and energy!) you have. Here are a few of the best trail at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve:
- Point Lobos Loop Trail (6.3 miles): If you want the full experience, try this coastal loop trail, which takes you around the entire reserve.
- Point Lobos South Shore Trail (2.5 miles): Some of the most iconic views are located in the south shore, which makes this trail one of the most popular in the reserve.
- Cypress Grove Trail (0.8 miles): This trail is an ideal choice for anyone who has limited time but still wants to enjoy some of the most iconic views of the reserve.
Parking at Point Lobos currently costs $10 per vehicle, which you’ll pay in person. It does get crowded (especially during peak seasons and on weekends), so there’s a chance the lots in the reserve will fill up. If this is the case when you visit, you’ll need to park on Highway 1. Parking right outside of the entrance is prohibited, but you’ll see street parking about a quarter mile south of the reserve.
3. Do an Easy Hike at Soberanes Point and Whale Peak
If you want a low effort hike with great views, this spot is great for you. Soberanes Point Trail (which is part of Garrapata State Park) is an easy 1.6-mile loop that offers beautiful views of the coast, and often has plenty of gorgeous wildflowers. The trail will also take you up to Whale Peak, where you get 360-degree views of the surrounding area.
Admission to Garrapata State Park is free, so no need to worry about displaying a pass. There are two parking options, both of which are street parking. Either park off the road by Gate 8, or further south, closer to Whale Peak. You can access the trail from either of these spots.
4. Explore Calla Lily Valley in Garrapata State Park
If you’ll be visiting in the late winter or early spring, one of the best places to stop in Big Sur is Calla Lily Valley, which is also in Garrapata State Park. As the name implies, this valley overflows with beautiful calla lilies, which are in bloom from late January to mid-April.
There are a couple ways to get to Calla Lily Valley. You can take the Garrapata Beach Calla Lily Valley Trail, which is an easy 1.1-mile loop. This trail also takes you to the beach. Alternatively, a shorter and more direct route is to park near the entrance to Garrapata Trail, and then follow the trail down to the valley. It’s about a quarter-mile from the road. Like with many other spots in Big Sur, there isn’t a lot here. You’ll need to street park along the highway.
5. Check Out Bixby Creek Bridge
Bixby Bridge is one of the most iconic Big Sur attractions, and can’t be missed during your visit. The concrete bridge was built in the 1930s, and is noteworthy because of its towering height – it’s the tallest of its kind!
Park your car and take in the view from Castle Rock Viewpoint (no hiking is required). It’s a great spot to see not only the bridge, but the gorgeous coastline. If you want a slightly more unique vantage point, you can also cross the street and walk down Old Coast Road (a dirt road that is simply shown as “Coast Road” on Google Maps) to see the bridge from the opposite side.
There is a small parking area right by Castle Rock Viewpoint, as well as street parking on Highway 1. You may also be able to park on Old Coast Road.
6. Take in the View From Sea Otter Refuge View Point
For picture-perfect views of the Big Sur Coast, make a quick stop at the Sea Otter Refuge View Point. You may even spot some otters, especially if visiting in the winter or spring. You can see the view from right off the road, so this is an ideal spot for anyone who isn’t interested in or able to hike.
7. Do a Tour of Point Sur Lighthouse
Those looking for more unique Big Sur activities should check out Point Sur Lighthouse, an operational lighthouse in Point Sur State Historic Park that dates back to 1889. Volunteer-led tours are three hours long, and currently are limited to weekends (although check the schedule online for the most up-to-date info). Adult tickets cost $15, while children’s tickets (17 and under) are $5.
8. Hike at Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera State Park – which is just south of Point Sur State Historic Park – has some beautiful coastal hikes. If you’re up for a longer hike, the 8-mile Creamery Meadows, Bluffs, Panorama, and Ridge Trail Loop is a great option that takes you through both forested areas and open meadows with views of the coast. A shorter option is the 2.4-mile Creamery Meadows Trail, an easy out-and-back trail that takes you right down to Molera Beach.
These trails share the same trailhead, which is located off a moderate-sized dirt parking lot. A day use pass is required for Andrew Molera State Park, so be sure to display your pass on your car. If you don’t have one, you can purchase this pass at the kiosk at the entrance to the parking lot.
Note: a day use pass will grant you access to all California State Parks for the day. I cover more details on what you need to know about Big Sur entrance fees at the end of this guide.
9. Hike Through the Redwoods at Buzzards Roost Trail
Plenty of the most iconic hiking trails in the region take you along the coast. If you want to switch things up, try the Buzzards Roost Trail, located in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This moderately-rated 2.8-mile loop trail leads you through the iconic Big Sur redwoods before taking you up to a viewpoint where you can see the ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has day use parking lots where you can park, which are located on the opposite side of Highway 1 from the trailhead. You can also buy your day use pass at the Park Entrance Kiosk to display in your vehicle if you haven’t already. There’s a trail that will take you under the highway, directly to the Buzzards Roost trailhead.
10. Hang Out at Pfeiffer Beach
This popular beach is well-known for its purple sand and giant rock formations. It’s a really lovely place to catch the sunset, especially during a few weeks in the winter (around November/December) when the sun shines through Keyhole Arch (one of the rock formations).
Despite the name, Pfeiffer Beach isn’t part of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It’s actually operated under Los Padres National Forest. This means that a day use pass that you might’ve purchased in other parts of Big Sur won’t be applicable here. You’ll need to pay a separate $12 day use fee for parking. There’s a kiosk on Sycamore Canyon Road (the road you take to get down to the beach) where you can pay.
11. Dine at Nepenthe and Sierra Mar
Two of the top places to eat in Big Sur are Sierra Mar (located at Post Ranch Inn) and Nepenthe. Both sit on top of the cliffs and boast amazing views of the coast, and of course, also offer incredible food.
The indoor dining room of Sierra Mar features floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed views. There’s also an outdoor patio if you prefer to eat outside. The fine dining restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily. Sierra Mar takes reservations and they do book up, so it’s a good idea to reserve your spot in advance.
Nepenthe – which is more casual compared to Sierra Mar – has an expansive outdoor patio, as well as an indoor dining room that also has great views of the region. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. There’s also a breakfast spot on-site called Cafe Kevah, which serves a full breakfast menu. Nepenthe is popular and can get busy, and service is first-come, first-serve.
12. Explore Partington Cove & Partington Point
Partington Cove is part of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The trail here is excellent for anyone looking for a varied hike that isn’t too long. The moderately-rated Partington Cove Trail is 1.1-miles long, and splits into two parts. The north trail leads to Partington Point – a small, rocky beach within a cove. Go back up the trail and then head down the southern trail, which takes you to Partington Cove. It leads through a tunnel to an overlook right over the cove.
There isn’t a parking lot at the trailhead, so you’ll need to street park on the highway. Look for the green gate right off Highway 1 – this is the trailhead.
13. Check Out McWay Falls
Whether you are in the region for a day or a week, something that you must do in Big Sur is stop by McWay Falls, which is also located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. This is one of the most iconic sights in the region, which also means it’s popular – but it’s worth dealing with the crowds to see!
The McWay Falls Trail takes you to an overlook that offers a perfect view of the falls. It’s less than half a mile long and is easy with no elevation gain.
The parking lot for McWay Falls is located on the east side of Highway 1. This is also where the trailhead is located. The trail takes you underneath the highway through a short tunnel, and then you’ll be on your way to the falls.
Note: if you haven’t yet bought a day use pass, you’ll see self-registration boxes at the parking lot where you can pay the fee – be sure to have cash on hand. Be sure to display your pass in your car window when you park.
14. Hike at Limekiln State Park
Further south in Big Sur is Limekiln State Park, where you can hike the Hare Creek and Limekiln Trail. The moderately-rated out-and-back trail is 2.2-miles long, and is perfect for anyone who wants to hike through beautiful forested areas. The trail takes you to the ruins of an 1800s lime kilns where limestone was turned into concrete used to build nearby cities. You can also follow a short off-shoot that takes you to the base of Limekiln Falls.
The parking lot for this trail is located right off the highway – just look for the Limekiln State Park sign.
Note: At the time of writing this article, Limekiln State Park is closed indefinitely due to weather damage. Check the official state park website to see current closure information.
15. Hike the Mill Creek Trail
A great trail for anyone looking for an easy hike in the southern section of Big Sur is the Mill Creek Trail. The 2.3-mile out-and-back trail takes you along the creek through a gorgeous forested area.
While there isn’t a parking lot here, there is space right by the trailhead where you can park. If it’s full, there are spaces off Nacimiento-Fergusson Road where you can pull to the side and park.
16. Walk Along the Shore at Sand Dollar Beach
Last but not least is Sand Dollar Beach, which is located on the southern end of the region. This is the perfect place to catch the sunset at the end of the day. It’s also one of the best places in the region to explore tide pools and look for some sea life.
There is a spacious parking lot on the cliffs above the beach, and from there it’s just a short walk down to the sand. Sand Dollar Beach is operated by Los Padres National Forest, and there’s a $10 fee per car for a day use pass. Since the beach is under Los Padres National Forest, your day use pass for the other state parks aren’t applicable here.
Big Sur Travel Guide: What You Need To Know Before Visiting
Now that we’ve discussed the top things to do, let’s talk about what you need to know when traveling to Big Sur. Here are my top tips for planning your itinerary and making the most of your visit.
Check the Road and Trail Conditions
Road closures in Big Sur are common, especially along Highway 1. This is all thanks to landslides and other forms of weather damage. With this in mind, it’s absolutely crucial that you check road conditions while you’re planning your itinerary, as well as in the days leading up to your trip. The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce website is a great resource for keeping up-to-date on current road closures.
Similarly, trails in the region can close down due to weather events and related damage. Before visiting, check each state park website (or in some cases, the Los Padres National Forest website) to confirm whether the trails you’re interested in hiking are open.
Download Maps for Offline Use
Cell service in Big Sur is spotty at best, so you shouldn’t assume you’ll be able to use data for your maps as you’re driving through the area. Before your trip, I highly recommend downloading the map of the area for offline use on Google Maps. This allows you to still use navigation, even if you don’t have any service. All you need to do is drop a pin in a spot, and then press the “Download” button, which is located under the “Directions” button. You’ll need to download a few different sections to cover the entire region.
Fill Up on Gas Beforehand
There are a few gas stations in Big Sur, but they are limited (and as you can probably guess, expensive!), so it’s much safer to plan on filling up outside of the area. I recommend filling up your tank at the start of the day to make things easier (and to save some money). On the north side, you’ll find gas stations in Carmel Highlands and Carmel-by-the-Sea. On the south end, there are a few gas stations in Cambria and Morro Bay.
Bring Extra Food and Water
While there are some restaurants, delis, bakeries, and small convenience shops in the region, prices tend to be on the higher side. Additionally, most of the eateries and shops are located in and right around the actual town of Big Sur. Once you leave that area, you won’t find any places to grab a bite to eat. To be safe, make sure you bring plenty of food and water with you.
Is There a Big Sur Entrance Fee?
You will need to pay a fee to visit most of the areas within Big Sur. With the exception of Garrapata State Park (which is free to visit), you need to display your day use pass in your vehicle when visiting California State Parks in Big Sur. A day use pass currently costs $10 per vehicle, and applies to all California State Parks in the area.
You can alternatively display your California State Park Annual Pass if you have one, but confirm the specific pass you have covers all parks in the Big Sur area ahead of time. At the time of writing this article, both the California Explorer Vehicle and the Golden Poppy Vehicle Day Use Annual Passes are accepted in all of the state parks, with the exception of Limekiln (which is closed indefinitely). They are also accepted at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
As noted in the above list, day use passes for the California State Parks will not give you admission to land managed under the Los Padres National Forest. This includes Sand Dollar Beach and Pfeiffer Beach. These areas require a separate day use fee, which can be paid on-site at the entrance kiosk.
Where to Purchase a State Park Day Use Pass in Big Sur
Most state park parking lots will have a manned entrance kiosk where you can purchase your day use pass on-site. For example, on the northern end of Big Sur, you can buy your pass at the entrance by the Creamery Meadows Trailhead at Andrew Molera State Park. A bit further south, there’s another park entrance kiosk for Pfeiffer Big Sur State. In some spots (such as the McWay Falls parking lot), there will be a self-registration box where you can pay in cash.
Note: if you visit and buy a day use pass at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, that pass will also apply to the other state parks in Big Sur that you visit that same day.
How Many Days Do You Need in Big Sur?
Two to three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Big Sur. It gives you enough time to see the main sights (and more!) without feeling rushed. That said, Big Sur is a popular day trip spot, and you can still fit in a lot with just one day in the area.
Is Big Sur Worth Visiting?
Big Sur is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you love nature and being by the ocean. There’s no shortage of amazing hikes, and the beaches are breathtaking. Even for those who aren’t super into hiking, there’s so many incredible spots you can access with very little effort, such as the McWay Falls and Bixby Bridge overlooks.
Want to explore more that California has to offer? Here are a few additional guides for destinations near Big Sur that you may like:
- The Perfect Paso Robles Weekend Itinerary
- How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Solvang, CA
- The Top Things to do in Red Rock Canyon State Park, California