Big Sur Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Big Sur, Monterey County, California - CA, USA)



Beach pictureThe majority of the main tourist attractions around Big Sur related to its remote setting, coastal situation and surrounding state parks. Tourists will find that the choice of recreational attractions in almost endless around Big Sur, with hiking and mountain climbing being especially popular, in locations such as the Andrew Molera State Park, the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and also the Point Lobos State Reserve.

There are a number of good, sandy beaches sited around the Big Sur area. Whilst these beaches may not quite compete with those of Southern California, they offer some very pleasant places to sunbathe and enjoy a range of beach activities and attractions, such as swimming, walking / hiking, and also the very popular pastime of beachcombing. Be warned though, the waters around Big Sur are usually on the chilly side.


Further beach photo

Beaches

Address: Big Sur, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Be aware that due to their coastal situation, Californian sunshine is not always guaranteed on the beaches of Big Sur, since seasonal fog is known to make an appearance, particularly first thing in the morning. The most popular beaches are to be found within the Andrew Molera State Park and the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, as well as around the Mill Creek, the Partington Cove, Point Lobos and the Willow Creek. Pfeiffer Beach is especially center and a firm favorite with tourists, as is the southern Jade Cove, next to the Plaskett Creek campground, where people come to search for semi-precious jade stones, which can often be found amongst the sand
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for some beaches

Image of popular Big Cone hiking trail

Recreational Activities / Hiking and Mountain Climbing

Address: Big Sur Guided Hikes, Big Sur, US-93920, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 622 7777
Address: Big Sur Ranger Station, 3 miles 5 km south of Big Sur, US-93920, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 667 2315
Each year, many thousands of tourists come to Big Sur to simply enjoy the 'great outdoors', since the town showcases a very different side to California, away from the glitzy beach resorts and iconic buildings. The main hiking trails and related attractions here tend to be based around the various coastal mountains and pass innumerable ruins and historical places of interest along the way. The locally managed Big Sur Guided Hikes operates a number of different hiking tours, which are led by experienced guided, who know the area well and are able to point out various interesting sights as you hike along the trails, enjoy the rich Californian flora and fauna. Around Big Sur there are actually almost 100 unique day hikes of varying difficulty, suiting all abilities and fitness levels.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free, charge for guided hikes

Andrew Molera State Park photograph

Andrew Molera State Park

Address: 20102 Highway 1, Big Sur, US-93920, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 667 2315
The Andrew Molera State Park is located on the coastline of Big Sur and just a couple of miles to the north of the town center itself. This is a truly exceptional park, filled with natural wonders and attractions. The Andrew Molera State Park covers some 4,800 acres / 1,940 hectares and is the perfect place to come to find peace and quiet, boasting literally miles and miles of hiking trails, which wind their way through scenic expanses of meadow, beachfront and hills. There are a number of basic camping sites located here, and endless fishing opportunities. Worth looking out are the Andrew Molera Falls, an impressive waterfall which cascades some 22 meters / 72 feet in total.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Image of beachfront, taken in the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Address: 47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, US-93920, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 667 2315
The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is just a short drive to the south of Big Sur, along Highway 1, and covers an area of just over 1,000 acres / 405 hectares. Rich with wildlife attractions, including everything from raccoons and black-tailed deer, to skunks and waterfowl, the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offers a popular self-guided nature trail, and accommodation in the form of a large lodge. The park comprises an appealing mixture of densely forested areas and open meadowland.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park signpost photo

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Address: 37028 Highway 1, Big Sur, US-93920, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 667 2315
The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park can be found several miles to the north of the Esalen Institute and is cram-packed with attractions and natural beauty, covering an area of just over 3,000 acres / 1,215 hectares. Named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, an acclaimed rancher from the Big Sur area, the park was formerly known as the Saddle Rock Ranch. Expect to find giant redwood and oak trees, hiking trails, views of the ocean and rugged coastline, and guided horseback tours. A real highlights of the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is the McWay Falls, a breathtaking waterfall best viewed along the Overlook Trail.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Loma Vista / Spirit Garden

Address: Loma Vista, Highway 1, Big Sur, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 667 1300
The Loma Vista complex is quirky local attraction, sited along the Highway 1 and dating back to 1937, when it first served as a simple diner and filling station. Locals regularly gathered here to relax and enjoy the newly planted cactus gardens, and the Loma Vista has continued to gain popularity ever since, today being home to a bakery, gallery, gift shop, restaurant and Spirit Garden. Many tourists come to the Loma Vista to see the Spirit Garden, which is an unusual botanical garden, incorporating desert-style planting with dramatic sculptures and art works.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Breathtaking aerial view of the Point Lobos State Reserve

Point Lobos State Reserve

Address: North of Big Sur, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 624 4909
The Point Lobos State Reserve can be found just over 20 miles / 32 km to the north of Big Sur and on the southerly outskirts of Carmel, and is simple to reach by road. This park is often known as just Point Lobos and contains a series of superb hiking trails, together with some very appealing beaches. Other notable attractions within the Point Lobos State Reserve include wild Monterey cypresses, huge underwater 'kelp forests', endless opportunities for scuba diving (permit required), and an interesting local history museum, which is housed within the former Whalers Cabin. It is worth coming here for the coastal scenery alone, while scuba divers can expect to everything from harbor seals and blue rockfish, to leopard sharks and Medusa jellyfish.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge, per car

Picture showing the expansive Ventana Wilderness

Ventana Wilderness

Address: South of Big Sur, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 667 2315
This vast expanse of wildness is situated around 3 miles / 5 km to the south of Big Sur and encompasses a simply enormous area of more than 150,000 acres / 60,700 hectares. Lying around the Santa Lucia Mountains, the Ventana Wilderness is home to an array of natural attractions, with more than 60 different walking and hiking trails, stretching for almost 250 miles / 402 km in total. There was one a naturally formed bridge within the park, close to the Ventena Double Cone mountain, and beneath this bridge was an empty space rather like a window, which earned the wilderness its name 'Ventana'. This bridge has long collapsed, but the spectacular scenery, valleys, pools, waterfalls, thermal springs, vertical canyons and meandering mountain streams still remain. If you enjoy camping, then you will be delighted to learn that the Ventana Wilderness is home to no less than 55 different camping areas. Don't miss a hike to the legendary Sykes Hot Springs.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free