• Where is Big Sur located?
    • Big Sur is a spectacularly beautiful, rugged, and scenic stretch of the Pacific Coast in central California, located between San Simeon and Carmel and nestled between the ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains.
  • What is the main road through Big Sur?
    • The main road through Big Sur is the scenic two-lane State Route 1, which winds along steep cliffs and offers breathtaking views of the coast.
  • What makes Big Sur unique?
    • Big Sur is sparsely populated but is rich in parks, hot springs, nature reserves, and sanctuaries that feature a diverse range of plants, trees, and animals rarely seen elsewhere.
  • What is the best way to explore Big Sur?
    • Big Sur is best explored on foot, as it features a network of hiking and biking trails that pass through spectacular redwood forests, descend through flower-filled valleys, and lead to lovely, secluded beaches.

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1. 17-Mile Drive

17-Mile Drive | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Miles - Fotolia.com

2. Andrew Molera State Park

Andrew Molera State Park | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of rolf_52 - Fotolia.com

3. California Sea Otter Game Refuge

California Sea Otter Game Refuge | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Betty Sederquist - Fotolia.com

4. Calla Lily Valley

Calla Lily Valley | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of srongkrod - Fotolia.com

5. Carmel Heritage Society

Carmel Heritage Society | Big Sur, California
© Carmel Heritage Society

6. Carmel River State Beach

Carmel River State Beach | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of jerdad - Fotolia.com

7. Garrapata State Park

Garrapata State Park | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Frank Fennema - Fotolia.com

8. Henry Miller Memorial Library

Henry Miller Memorial Library | Big Sur, California
© Henry Miller Memorial Library

9. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Ctram - Fotolia.com

10. Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of spiritofamerica - Fotolia.com

11. McWay Falls and Waterfall House Ruins

McWay Falls and Waterfall House Ruins | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of tschumacher04 - Fotolia.com

12. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo

Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of spiritofamerica - Fotolia.com

13. Tor House and Hank Tower

Tor House and Hank Tower | Big Sur, California
© Melastmohican/stock.adobe.com

14. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary | Big Sur, California
© Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

15. Nepenthe

Nepenthe | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Naeblys - Fotolia.com

16. New Camaldoli Hermitage

New Camaldoli Hermitage | Big Sur, California
© New Camaldoli Hermitage

17. Old Coast Road

Old Coast Road | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Andy - Fotolia.com

18. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History | Big Sur, California
© Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

19. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of lucky-photo - Fotolia.com

20. Point Lobos National Reserve

Point Lobos National Reserve | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Lynn Yeh - Fotolia.com

21. Ishxenta State Park

Ishxenta State Park | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Lynn Yeh - Fotolia.com

22. Point Sur State Historic Park

Point Sur State Historic Park | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of Lynn Yeh - Fotolia.com

23. Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of jesuschurion57 - Fotolia.com

24. Big Sur Tours and More

Big Sur Tours and More | Big Sur, California
© Courtesy of maranso - Fotolia.com

Map:


Big Sur, California Weather by Month

Month High (°F) Low (°F) Precip. (in) Conditions
January 55 40 5.0 Cool & Foggy
February 58 42 4.5 Cool & Foggy
March 60 45 4.0 Cool & Foggy
April 65 48 3.5 Mild & Foggy
May 68 52 2.5 Mild & Pleasant
June 72 55 1.5 Warm & Pleasant
July 75 58 0.5 Warm & Foggy
August 75 58 0.5 Warm & Foggy
September 72 55 1.0 Mild & Pleasant
October 65 48 2.5 Mild & Foggy
November 58 42 3.5 Cool & Foggy
December 55 40 4.0 Cool & Foggy

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