Big Sur - The perfect weekend Getaway
This guide gives you everything you need for the perfect weekend getaway in Big Sur and provides an overview of the best things to do and explore while in Big Sur. It also includes how to get there, when to visit, where to stay, and how to get around.
Over the past 6 years, I’ve been lucky to visit Big Sur for many experiences, including getting engaged there! Most recently, I went to Big Sur with my husband and 2 close friends in June 2022. We were so excited to explore the misty coastlines, tall forests, and stunning ocean views! Read below to see details about our trip and my tips for visiting the beautiful Big Sur.
Overview
How to Get There:
Big Sur is located on the central coast of California. Here are the top 2 best ways to get to Big Sur with Google Map directions for both:
- From LA – From Los Angeles, it’s about a 6-hour drive (or longer depending on traffic). The fastest route is the most scenic along the coast through Santa Barbara. It also gets a lot more traffic than the second fastest route. Sometimes, it’s worth taking the second fastest which takes you through Palos Verdes and is a bit more inland than the fastest route.
- From San Francisco – From San Francisco, it’s about 2.5 hours south through Monterey and along the coast
Before traveling, check that Highway 1 is open and hasn’t had any road closures due to rock slides, fires, etc. When the road closes, it is usually south of Big Sur. This doesn’t impact anyone traveling from San Francisco, but it does impact the travelers coming from the Los Angeles area. If you’re coming from the direction of LA and Highway 1 is closed on the south side of Big Sur, you’ll want to take this route instead. Luckily it’s not too much longer than the usual route.
When to Visit:
I recommend visiting from the months of April to October. These are the warmest months and the best time to camp and enjoy the outdoors. The peak months are July-August and are the most touristy. April-June and September-October are not as crowded but still have great weather. In the winter months, you can still visit, but the chance of rain and cold weather is much higher. Take it from someone who camped in Big Sur during Christmas and it rained the entire time – no regrets :D. One additional thing to be aware of is with the mountains climbing high in elevation right off the coastline, the marine layer is common but tends to move throughout the day.
Where to Stay:
Big Sur lodging tends to book up months in advance, so I recommend booking 6 months in advance to secure your spot. There is a wide variety of types of places from 5-star hotels to camping. Here are some of my favorites for each:
More casual & affordable places to stay:
- Ventana Campground and Glamping for a camping experience in the giant redwoods. They even have an airstream camper bar where you can grab a beer and play some cornhole/bags. This is my favorite place to camp when I go to Big Sur
- Riverside Campground and Cabins for a great camping experience, some sites are even next to the river which is great for relaxing
- Fernwood Campground for a casual camping experience. This campground has a family atmosphere and is slightly less wooded than these others on this list. Campsites also tend to be closer together
- Big Sur Campgrounds and Cabins for a nice camping experience that has been around since 1963.
Higher-end & more expensive places to stay:
- Ventana Resort ($$$$) for the ultimate luxurious experience with secluded suites and relaxing spa experiences
- Treebones Resort($$$) for a unique lodging experience in yurts with ocean views
- Glen Oaks Big Sur ($$$$)
- Post Ranch Inn ($$$$)
How to Get Around:
Given the remote location of Big Sur, you’ll definitely want a car to get there and to get around while you’re there. Unless you plan to stay at your campground/lodging, you’ll need a car to see all the sights.
Things to do during your Weekend Getaway in Big Sur
For a perfect weekend getaway in Big Sur, you’ll want to make sure you plan some great things to do. There are so many ways to have an incredible experience in Big Sur – from visiting the must-see attractions for first-timers to quick hikes down to the rocky cliffs and open ocean to hiking up in the mountains to get a great panoramic view. Here are some of the top things to do:
If it’s your first or second visit:
- McWay Falls: one of the most scenic spots in Big Sur. It’s a waterfall from the cliff side that falls down onto a secluded beach. The overlook is steps away from the parking lot and it lets you look down onto the waterfall and the beach. The beach is protected and therefore it is not open to tourists so you’ll have to soak in the view from above.
- Bixby Bridge: the iconic bridge built in the 1930s that brings visitors from all over the world and I can see why. Pull off on the north side of the road in the parking lot to take in this beautiful view
- Pfieffer Beach: One of the most amazing beaches of all time with the iconic purple sand and rock in the water with a hole in the middle that waves crash through. I recommend going here for sunset and bringing a blanket and a bottle of wine! It also happens to be dog friendly!
- Ragged Point: a little south of Big Sur is this incredible lookout. Its an easy stop on the west side of Highway 1 with a few shops, a park, and one of the most gorgeous views of the coast
- Partington Cove: a 1-mile out-and-back hike that takes you down to the rocky coastline. It has a small bridge crossing and a tunnel to walk through that opens up to the turquoise blue waters of Partington Cove. There is some poison oak along this trail so make sure you know what it looks like before your hike so you can be aware. Also, a lot of this hike is in the sun so I recommend bringing water.
- Pfeiffer Falls: In Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, this is a newly renovated trail about 1.5 miles out and back that takes you through the forest to Pfeiffer Falls
If you want to see things off the beaten path:
There are so many things to do in Big Sur outside the 6 things listed above. There are countless hikes, stops along the coast, and more. Here are a few more things that I have really enjoyed doing during my time in Big Sur and would recommend:
- Andrew Molera State Park: It has great hiking throughout the park and a huge beach to explore. There is a good amount of poison oak throughout the park so just be on the lookout and know what to look for
- Old Coast Road: the road that existed before Highway 1. You can still drive it today. It’s a dirt road that runs parallel to Highway 1 from above Bixby Bridge to Andrew Molera State Park
- Brazil Ranch Trail: this moderate 5-mile out and back hike takes you up into the mountains through a cow field to see panoramic views of the coast. This was one of my favorite hikes in Big Sur. Make sure to bring water and stay away from the cows and other wildlife.
- Tanbark Trail and Tin House: this hard 6-mile trail is a great hike that starts in the forest and eventually makes its way up to a tin house. Even if you just do the first part of the trail, it’s beautiful since the path goes along a river with some waterfalls.
Places to Eat
The best feeling is rewarding yourself with a delicious meal after a morning of hiking and exploring. Here are some of my favorite places to eat in Big Sur:
- Nepenthe: a must-see! Nepenthe sits right on the cliff side with views down the coast and open ocean. It is absolutely incredible. The food and drinks here are also top-notch!
- Big Sur Bakery: I highly recommend going here for breakfast pastries. Just make sure to go early before they sell out of the chocolate croissants!
- Big Sur Taphouse: This place has a great outback area to enjoy some local craft beers and wines and great food!
- Coast Big Sur: A great place with rooftop seating to take in the beautiful ocean views and enjoy a delicious lunch
I hope this guide to the perfect weekend getaway in Big Sur helps plan your trip! Feel free to reach out on my Contact page if you have any questions!