Things to Do in Big Sur

Things to Do in Big Sur, CA - Big Sur Attractions

Things to Do in Big Sur

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What travelers are saying

  • F W
    4 contributions
    Bixby Creek Bridge is well worth the turnout for a lengthy view of the incredible vista! The bridge itself is spectacular and the view of the surrounding shore is like nothing else!
    Written June 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Honeylocket
    Wales, UK126 contributions
    Idyllic beach- very narrow lanes to the beach. Not suitable for RV or trailer. Lovely walk through the trees to a white sandy beach ⛱
    Written July 21, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul Smith Palliser
    Peru276 contributions
    Amazing waterfall with great views. You have to do a small hike from car lot to waterfall but it won't take you more than 5 to 10 minutes to get to the view point. Restrooms available that were OK.
    Written February 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TheCollegeInvestor
    San Diego, CA16 contributions
    Our family with two young kids had a blast at the beach. We came prepared with beach chairs and an umbrella / it’s windy and sunny. But this let us enjoy the kids playing in the river that runs right along to the beach. So beautiful and fun.
    Written July 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DieZimmermanns
    Leipzig, Germany3 contributions
    Probably the best part of the beautiful coastal highway. Would always recommend staying a night in Big Sur too.
    Written July 14, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lisa P
    2 contributions
    Well worth the time. Very good tour guides who were knowledgable and funny! They are only open for tours 1-2 times per week and only allow 40 people in per tour. Get there early. There was a line!
    Written October 4, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas J
    Fremont, CA2 contributions
    Review:
    I hated every state parks because they cost money, but you can walk in trails with limited time for free. Limited parking time is enough for a small hiking trip with a picnic. The tall redwoods are amazing. A big quiet river flow slowly. There's tables for picnic. Blue birds will fly very close towards you. The park is a nice protected environment in the harsh Big Sur lands, I would pick this out of all the Big Sur state parks.
    Useful Plans For You If You Want To Go There:
    My family started the second day of SF-LA trip. We went from Monterey to Pismo Beach. I suggest you to buy lunch in Monterey and serve in the picnic tables. Hike the river trail. Pass the water. Have your lunch at the lunch tables. Hurry, or you can't reach San Luis Obispo by sunset. There's not a single campground or hotel for you after this park.
    Written October 5, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JenJen85254
    Scottsdale, AZ153 contributions
    We were all hungry on the road and thought it would be easy to find somewhere on PCH -not true and was even harder to find somewhere when cell service was non existent the entire drive. Pulled over to this oasis! We all had something from the snack bar -food was good but know that the entire place is cash only! Thankfully we had enough. And they had bathrooms -not the best but acceptable.
    Written August 31, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TravelerCentralFLA
    Clermont, FL1,258 contributions
    We hiked the Partington Cove Trail on our drive down Highway 1. My family and I really enjoyed this hike. It has beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and of the vegetation in this area. As we hiked down we passed by a creek that flowed into the cove. There were coastal redwoods along the hike and lots of wildflowers in bloom.
    The cove itself is mesmerizing. Watching and listening to the waves break against the rocks is awe-inspiring. The hike down is moderately easy. It is just over a mile round-trip and there is an elevation gain of about 350 feet coming back up from the Cove. It is very doable and very much worth the work. I highly recommend a visit to Partington Cove.
    Written May 29, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karen H
    Seattle, WA28 contributions
    My friend and I drove past a very crowded, hour-long wait, well-known restaurant in Big Sur and continued south on Highway 1, scouting for another place to eat. Lucky us. Coast Big Sur looked interesting; huge barrels formed the architecture. Were we glad we stopped! Everything was delightful: the cozy courtyard, the gift shop with local crafts, the tables overlooking the ocean. And lunch was amazing: a salad we tried to analyze so we could make it and a flavorful soup. We'll happily pass the restaurant north again and stop here.
    Written November 20, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 195508Anonymous
    228 contributions
    We visited Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park because much of the Julia Pfeiffer park trails were closed due to fires, slides etc. This was an excellent alternative. We took the falls and valley view hikes which are connected. They were wonderful even on a cloudy, rather dreary day. The trails were easy to navigate and we met enough other hikers on the trail to ensure we were going in the right direction. The view of the small falls was lovely and the valley view was definitely worth the uphill hiking. We really enjoyed this morning of hiking.
    Written September 27, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kurt J
    Cumberland wi 238 contributions
    This hermitage is a place of welcome, acceptance, peace, and beauty. Don’t come here if you like to talk or need cell or internet signal. But come here if you wish to disengage with the race, disconnect to the constant interruptions and enjoy quiet, beauty and simple hospitality. Your stay includes food - self-serve breakfast and supper and a hot noon time meal that you serve up in a common space and eat outside or in your lodging space. The views are spectacular, the stars dance and the refreshment is comprehensive.
    Written March 25, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nature Lover
    2 contributions
    What a beautiful campground. Dawnette and her husband the camp host were extremely helpful and was able to score us a spot since we didn't have a reservation. The second night we moved to the most beautiful and best spot #29. We watched a deer and her fawn eat nearby. The soothing sound of the creek the trees plus on the other side of the campground was a beautiful beach. They have 3 hiking trails we took which were easy. Loved the waterfall hike. My husband and I were celebrating our 30th anniversary since our Hawaii trip was scrapped due to Covid-19. I feel we had a much better time seeing Big Sur and the California coastline than going to Hawaii and the best part was camping at Limekiln Campground.
    Written August 22, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 0221Serendipity
    Madison, WI1,103 contributions
    Pictures of Big Sur barely do justice in describing and showing the beauty of this spectacular natural wonder. Be sure to bring your camera though!
    Written July 16, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Christin L
    Downey, CA15 contributions
    Wonderful hiking trail through wildflowers and trees to the beach. The trail is as wide as a standard fire road making it easy to avoid the poison oak, nettle, and blackberry brambles that occasionally line the path. There is now a Bridge over the creek we had to ford last year. The water is still quite cold although it didn’t stop some members of our group from enjoying a swim.
    The only negative for this trip was the wind. Last year there was some wind but this year, everyone got some sand whipped into their lunch in the 10-15 minutes it took to eat it 😑. The canopies we brought for shade had to be tied down with guys lines to rocks, driftwood, and a makeshift sandbag. Even then, one of them broke from the force of the gusts.
    Written July 11, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

See what travelers are asking

Forum posts were selected by looking for forum titles asking specific questions and taking the top showtopic page by total pageviews as the optimal topic.
Like everyone else I am beyond excited about the HWY 1 opening!
Going to be staying in Cambria overnight (going to Hearst Castle, elephant seals) and then driving up to Carmel, just wondering what people opinon's of must see's / stops we should plan on making in Big Sur? (I have been to Point Lobos but nothing south from there)

Thanks! =)
Answer: A big part of the draw of Big Sur is the scenery, of course, so just driving through and looking at the view is great. And then there are plenty of places to stop along the way, depending on what you like to do and how much time you have. if you are visiting Hearst Castle and then driving up to Carmel the first day, try to get the first tour of Hearst Castle in the morning so that you'll have the whole afternoon for the drive. The drive itself will take about 3 hours.

For stops, here are some ideas:

Sand Dollar Beach - nice sandy beach, short, but steep trail to the beach

Limekiln State Park - a few easy trails through a 2nd growth redwood forest, also some beach access

McWay Falls - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State park - short walk to an overlook to see the falls

Pfeiffer Beach - Pretty beach with some purple-ish sand and cool rock formations just off shore

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Old growth redwood groves and some hiking - check the condition of trails online - some are still closed from a fire a couple years ago

Andrew Molera State Park - A few different hiking trails of varying difficulty and lengths, hike to a couple cool beaches.

Garrapata State Beach - Wide sandy beach accessible by stairs or short trails.
Note that forum content are individual perspectives of forum posters and not the opinion of Tripadvisor

Big Sur Attractions Information

Attractions49
Attraction Reviews8,673
Attraction Photos7,185
Local TimeTuesday 8:29 AM