Before you go
What are the best Big Sur beaches?
Big Sur has several beaches that you can visit and explore. Garrapata State Park boasts of a secluded beach that offers terrific views and many opportunities to spot sea lions, seals, and sea otters. Andrew Molera State Park is home to a beach that's ideal for surfing and surf fishing. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has a beach that's rich in tide pools. And Sand Dollar Beach is the place to come for collecting jade.
Where are the best hiking trails In Big Sur?
Big Sur has a range of hiking trails along a breathtaking coastline. One of the easiest and prettiest is the McWay Waterfall Trail. It's a little over a half-mile round trip, and the view of the falls is stunning. Another waterfall awaits you when you travel the 2-mile Pfeiffer Falls/Valley View Trail, which takes you through giant redwoods. Mostly flat, the Limekiln Trail features a few creeks and historic limekilns along the pleasant 3-mile journey.
Why is Big Sur so famous?
Historically, named after the vast wilderness south of Monterey coast, Big Sur's original name was the Big South or, locally, El Sur Grande. The "world’s longest undeveloped coastline” is one of the top tourist destinations globally. With the vintage charm of exploration, you can enjoy the pristine natural scene and relax in the calm swimming holes.
