Big Sur Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

McWay Falls featuring a bay or harbour, a sandy beach and rocky coastline
McWay Falls featuring a bay or harbour, a sandy beach and rocky coastline
Bixby Bridge featuring rocky coastline, a bridge and general coastal views
Big Sur showing rugged coastline, a sandy beach and general coastal views
Bixby Bridge which includes a bridge

If a place has one of the “best drives on earth”, you’d be mad not to check it out.

Big Sur is a 137-kilometre stretch of Californian coastline. It’s rugged, wild and spectacular — bucket list material. Take a car or motorbike around its winding route, or hike along streams in the valleys and wildflower fields, scanning for the best mountain vistas. If you’re patient, you might get a glimpse of some migrating sea life or birds of prey. Big Sur has cast its spell on many a big name (Jack Kerouac and Clint Eastwood for starters) let it work its magic on you.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

Where to stay in Big Sur

Awesome ride through the PCH above the clouds!

Lucia

You'll enjoy the mountain views and seaside views in Lucia. You might want to make time for a stop at New Camaldoli Hermitage or Limekiln State Park.

Lucia
View of the coast along part of Big Sur on a clear day

Posts

While visiting Posts, you might make a stop by sights like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Los Padres National Forest.

Posts
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Big Sur Village

If you're spending some time in Big Sur Village, Andrew Molera State Park and Los Padres National Forest are top sights worth seeing.

Big Sur Village
Big Sur Lodge

Big Sur Lodge

3 out of 5
47225 Highway One Big Sur CA
The price is AU$276 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
AU$276
3 Mar - 4 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Big Sur. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Clean and very comfortable

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Big Sur Lodge
Post Ranch Inn

Post Ranch Inn

5 out of 5
47900 Highway 1 Big Sur CA
The price is AU$3,394 per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
AU$3,394
4 Mar - 5 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Big Sur. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Big Sur Spirit Garden and The Henry Miller Memorial ...
10/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
Room had no heat but we were taken care of and moved to a beautiful suite. Yoga classes well run on time Yurt was warm. Drivers prompt professionals we had lots of rides because of RAIN food was super delicious much better than Vantanna

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026

Post Ranch Inn
Alila Ventana Big Sur - Inclusive Resort

Alila Ventana Big Sur - Inclusive Resort

4.5 out of 5
48123 Highway One Big Sur CA
The price is AU$2,610 per night from 7 Mar to 8 Mar
AU$2,610
7 Mar - 8 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Big Sur. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions The Henry Miller Memorial Library and Big Sur ...
Alila Ventana Big Sur - Inclusive Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Premium Central Big Sur location, pool & spa, spectacular south views, 5 acres

Premium Central Big Sur location, pool & spa, spectacular south views, 5 acres

Big Sur CA
Stay at this beach holiday home in Big Sur. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a beach locale. Popular attractions The Henry Miller Memorial Library and Big ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (98 reviews)
This was, I believe, our 4th time staying here, and simply put, if you find anyplace comparable or superior in Big Sur (that is actually for rent), please let me know! This is a superb place.

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Premium Central Big Sur location, pool & spa, spectacular south views, 5 acres
Little European Lodge

Little European Lodge

3.5 out of 5
45 W Carmel Valley Rd Carmel Valley CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Carmel Valley. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (62 reviews)
This motel was in a great and easy location to be able to walk to everything from. The room was clean, but very basic, and a shelf or small table to put our toiletries on in the bathroom (and soap in the shower) would have been helpful!

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Little European Lodge
Big Sur Lodge-Style House in Carmel with PANORAMIC Ocean, Bay & Valley VIEWS!

Big Sur Lodge-Style House in Carmel with PANORAMIC Ocean, Bay & Valley VIEWS!

Carmel-By-The-Sea CA
Stay at this business-friendly holiday home in Carmel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (133 reviews)
Pictures don’t do this place justice. It has everything you would need and then some. The downstairs game room was so nice to have since I have multiple teenage boys.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Big Sur Lodge-Style House in Carmel with PANORAMIC Ocean, Bay & Valley VIEWS!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Big Sur

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