California’s Big Sur is revered by Americans for its breathtaking coastal scenery. It is often considered one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the world. The area is characterized by its rugged landscape, featuring stunning beaches, massive cliffs, and enchanting redwood forests.
Situated along California’s Central Coast, Big Sur is not only home to pristine state parks and wilderness areas, but it also boasts notable attractions like Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.
The region is known for its sense of infinite freedom, attracting millions of people who embark on road trips along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway each year. With numerous picturesque stops and countless outdoor activities to enjoy, Big Sur offers an unforgettable and enchanting experience for those who visit.
12. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
One of the most impressive places to visit in Big Sur is the beautiful Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. This park offers stunning coastal views, magnificent waterfalls like the McWay Falls, and is home to ancient redwoods. It was named after a well-known resident and was established in 1962 to protect the natural wilderness and wildlife.
As you explore the park, you’ll find breathtaking cliffs, charming coves, peaceful creeks, and enormous redwoods, some of which are thousands of years old. The highlight is definitely the McWay Falls, a sparkling waterfall that drops eight feet into the Pacific Ocean.
Many people find the state park to be the most memorable part of their entire trip because of its amazing scenery, great trails for hiking, and opportunities for camping.
11. Pfeiffer Beach
One of the top attractions in Big Sur is Pfeiffer Beach, which is known for its beautiful purple sands, sea stacks, and the stunning Santa Lucia Mountains. The beach is located within the Los Padres National Forest and offers a secluded yet expansive area with purple sands at the end of Sycamore Canyon.
The beach is surrounded by impressive rock formations and cliffs covered in vegetation. Just off the coast, you can find the famous Pfeiffer Keyhole Rock, which you can actually walk up to during low tide to take photos and explore the surrounding area.
The best time to visit the beach is during sunset when a radiant beam of light shines through the arch, creating a warm and lovely hue over the entire area.
10. Henry Miller Memorial Library
The Henry Miller Memorial Library is a popular spot in Big Sur where you can enjoy live music, readings, and art shows. The library also has a unique bookstore and hosts fashion shows, film festivals, and writing workshops. Henry Miller, like other artists, poets, and musicians, found inspiration in the stunning beauty of Big Sur.
His friend Emil White built a cozy house for him in the mid-sixties, which later became a memorial and gallery after Miller’s death in 1980. The house, surrounded by tall redwoods, is a charming and picturesque place, with a library filled with photos and an exterior adorned with artwork.
It’s a must-visit destination along the coastal road, with so many exciting events and exhibitions happening all the time.
9. Andrew Molera State Park
The landscapes of Andrew Molera State Park are beautiful and untouched. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, the park offers a wide range of outdoor activities. It is the largest state park along Big Sur and includes secluded beaches, redwood groves, meadows, and waterfalls. Visitors can hike, bike, and ride horses in the park.
They can also swim and surf in the sea or enjoy panoramic views from the ridges. Camping and beachcombing are popular activities on the dramatic bluffs and beaches along the Pacific. The park was established in 1968 and is located a 45-minute drive from Carmel.
8. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
A short distance away from the beach, you can find the beautiful landscapes and nature of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It is located on the slopes of the St. Lucia Mountains and is famous for its lovely redwood groves, which people have compared to Yosemite National Park.
The park is centered around the Big Sur River and is unique because it is not located directly on the coast. It has grassy meadows, forests, and riverbanks with many shady hiking trails to explore. There is a comfortable guest lodge and campgrounds throughout the park.
In the park’s dense vegetation and remote areas, visitors often have the chance to see local wildlife such as bobcats, deer, and raccoons.
7. Ragged Point
Ragged Point, located at the southern entrance of Big Sur, is a great place to stop and take in the beautiful coastal scenery. You can stay overnight at either the modern resort or the charming inn and buy supplies at the store and petrol station. This enormous headland rises about 300 feet above the sparkling waters of the Pacific below.
You can admire stunning views through the ‘Window to Big Sur’ and hike down a steep path to the edge of the ocean, where you might see huge elephant seals sunbathing. Many people choose to stay at Ragged Point before continuing their journey, savoring the anticipation of the upcoming scenic drive.
The gourmet restaurant at Ragged Point is also highly recommended for its delicious food, desserts, and snacks.
5. Bixby Creek Bridge
One of the most famous landmarks on Big Sur’s coastline is the Bixby Creek Bridge. The bridge is an impressive structure that stretches across a rugged canyon. It is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning location, making it a popular spot for taking photographs and enjoying the view.
Even though it was finished in 1932, it is still one of the tallest single-span arch bridges in the world, towering at a height of 260 feet. The bridge is supported by large concrete columns and reinforced with steel beams, and the road that runs across it is 714 feet long.
Both ends of the bridge provide great vantage points for capturing photos of the bridge against the backdrop of the sea and the surrounding mountains. The bridge looks especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset, and the early morning mist adds an enchanting atmosphere to the bridge and the canyon.
4. Limekiln State Park
Limekiln is a small state park in Big Sur, but it has a lot to offer. It got its name because there are four old kilns there that are rusty. The park has beautiful views of the ocean and canyons, as well as a amazing redwood forest with campsites.
It used to be a place where limestone was harvested in the late 1800s, but now it’s known for its historic limekilns and a stunning waterfall that is 100 feet high. In addition to hiking and camping among the giant redwoods, visitors can also go to the park’s pretty beaches or walk along cliffs that are very tall.
3. Point Sur State Historic Park
Located just half an hour south of Carmel and adjacent to Andrew Molera State Park, Point Sur State Historic Park is easily visible from miles away. The park offers beautiful coastal hikes and impressive vantage points, but the most captivating feature is its historic lighthouse.
Dating back to 1889, the lighthouse is a picturesque sight with its stone walls and antique lantern, providing breathtaking views of the boundless Pacific waters. Visitors can join guided tours to explore its interior and gain insights into its rich history and windswept surroundings.
To top it off, you can climb the massive volcanic rock on which the lighthouse stands and absorb the jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Pacific.
2. Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park is located close to Carmel and offers beautiful coastal cliffs and canyons to explore. You can enjoy hiking on the winding trails, as well as sunbathing and swimming. The park covers a large area along the coast and protects various natural features like rocky headlands, peaceful beaches, and flower-filled valleys.
You can hike through redwood groves, up the St. Lucia Mountains, or reach the top of Soberanes Point to experience breathtaking views. It’s also common to spot California sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and migrating gray whales in the offshore waters.
While some parts of the park’s coastline may be too rough for swimming, there are other areas where you can relax and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
1. Sand Dollar Beach
Sand Dollar Beach in Big Sur is a beautiful and large stretch of sand. It is located near Plaskett Creek Campground and has facilities like bathrooms, barbecue pits, and picnic areas. Although it is not windy, it is not safe for swimming or wading due to strong currents and surf.
However, this makes the coastal cliffs and sea stacks even more impressive as they are constantly hit by strong waves. In addition to enjoying the stunning views from the grassy bluffs, you can also hike on the trails or sunbathe on the beach.
Sunset is a particularly memorable time to visit, and during low tide, you can explore the caves and rock pools.
1. Partington Cove
If you travel a bit farther on California State Route 1 for about 30 minutes, you’ll discover the beautiful Partington Cove. It’s a charming place to stop, explore, and take photos, located just outside the lovely Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
To reach the scenic cove and its stunning blue waters, you’ll need to park at the trailhead and hike down through a rocky canyon. Along the way, you’ll pass through a historic tunnel and cross a quaint wooden bridge, enjoying increasingly impressive views as you approach the ocean.
Once you reach the secluded inlet and its rugged beach, you can relax, admire the scenery, and capture some amazing photos. Since not many people know about this place, you’ll often find that you’re the only one exploring the cove’s tidal pools and admiring its sparkling waterfall.
