Every year during Spring and Summer, I look forward to a day trip or weekend getaway to Big Sur along the iconic California coast. The coastal beauty of Big Sur is truly a nature lover’s paradise and a photographer’s dream! Being able to visit this area often is definitely a perk of living in the Bay Area! In this post, I’ll share with you my picks for the most beautiful & scenic spots and the best things to do in Big Sur, as well as the perfect day trip or weekend itinerary. This list includes the famous Bixby Bridge and the McWay Falls waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, as well as some hidden gems you may not have heard of!
All photos were taken by me and my husband Ken. Details on our photo gear here.
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Big Sur, California Coastal Paradise
Big Sur is known as one of the most scenic stretches of undeveloped coastline in the United States. It’s a rugged and mountainous 90-mile section of the Central Coast of California along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH) south of the Carmel Highlands with unparalleled coastal beauty. The name comes from the Spanish “el sur grande” or Big South, referring to its position 25 miles south of Monterey, California. The northern part of Big Sur is about a two-hour drive from San Francisco, making it a perfect Bay Area day trip!
Big Sur is a region without formal boundaries or government – it’s more emotion than cartography.
Big Sur Visitor Bureau
Before you go, please be aware that Highway 1 is a two-lane mountain road full of twists and turns. If you’re prone to car sickness as I am, I recommend getting a good night’s sleep, having a good breakfast, and avoid looking at your phone if you’re a passenger. I also use a motion sickness wristband which helps me a lot!
The Most Beautiful Spots in Big Sur California
my picks for the most beautiful spots in Big Sur:
- McWay Falls Waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Bixby Creek Bridge
- Garrapata Trail and Beach, especially in the Spring
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
- Calla Lily Valley in the Spring
- [Temporarily Closed] – Rocky Point Restaurant
- Bonus – Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant
This map of Big Sur shows my picks for the most beautiful spots and best things to do in Big Sur. You can see everything in one full day, or you can split it up into several trips!
Visitor tip – Expect light to heavy fog and chilly weather in the mornings regardless of the season. The fog should clear up by mid-day if the sun is out. Make sure to dress warmly and in layers!
1. McWay Falls Waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The first time I saw McWay Falls and the surrounding cove, I was stunned and so surprised that this waterfall is in California and not in Hawaii! The beautiful shade of turquoise blue waves rolling in and out of the cove is unreal and the sandy beach is flawlessly untouched. The 80 foot waterfall itself may not be large, but it seems like a scene out of paradise!
The waterfall is located within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park next to Highway 1 and can be viewed from the ½-mile round-trip Waterfall Overlook Trail. There is no access to the cove and waterfall itself due to hazardous conditions, but the panoramic views of the cove and the Pacific Ocean from the trails are truly spectacular, especially at sunset.
McWay Falls is the farthest south of the sights on my list. It’s 35-45 minutes south of Bixby Creek Bridge. There’s a parking lot with a $10 fee that will also give you access to all other State Parks for the day.
2. Bixby Creek Bridge
The iconic Bixby Creek Bridge is an engineering marvel that’s one of the most famous landmarks of Big Sur. The bridge can be seen from multiple designated viewpoints, both north and south of the bridge itself. It’s one of the highest bridges of its kind in the world and perches 260 feet above the bottom of a steep canyon carved by Bixby Creek. Honestly, just looking at it makes my knees weak! But the views from the viewpoints are a must-see since they capture the wild and beautiful California coastline so well!
3. Garrapata Trail and Beach
One of my favorite coastal trails is the Garrapata Trail next to Garrapata Beach, especially when it’s covered with yellow wildflowers in the Spring and Summer (the pictures above were taken in late June). It’s such a fantastic place to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery. The soft yellow and green tones complement the blue-grey coastal waters so beautifully. I could spend hours just enjoying the views here alone. Ken had to drag me away from here last time!
The trail is accessible from the Garrapata State Beach Parking area. It connects to the Calla Lily Valley which I’ve listed as #5 below!
4. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
At the northern tip of the Big Sur coast is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a beautiful hidden treasure that’s one of my favorite places for nature viewing. Just a short walk into the park is the easy and very scenic 0.8-mile Bird Island Trail. Along this trail, you’ll be able to see lots of wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, lots of cormorants, western gulls, and many other types of birds, especially in the Spring. You may also see migrating gray whales in the area from December to May!
Bird Island is named for the large sea bird colony found there in Spring and Summer. Hundreds of Brandt’s cormorants nest close together. On the way to Bird Island, you’ll pass by the stunning deep blue-green waters of China Cove. In the Spring, this area is home to many harbor seals nursing their newborn pups. The park website has an interactive map here.
Bird Island Trail also passes by the pristine Gibson’s Beach, accessible via a steep staircase. See picture above (third from top)!
5. Calla Lily Valley
The semi-hidden Calla Lily Valley is an amazing area next to the Garrapata beach with hundreds of calla lily wildflowers that bloom every Spring! The peak bloom time is usually between mid-February and mid-March. I have an entire post on the Calla Lily Valley with all the details on how to find this magical place, along with the best times to visit and some photography tips!
(6.) Temporarily Closed: Rocky Point Restaurant – Big Sur Restaurant with a View
The former Rocky Point Restaurant was my favorite restaurant in Big Sur with the most amazing view. It was on my list of best spots in Big Sur until it was closed and sold in 2021. The article states that the new owner hopes to reopen the restaurant under a new name, but there’s no opening date at this time.
I’m leaving these photos here in hopes that it will reopen soon and we can enjoy meals at this amazing setting again. To me, the waters here seem exceptionally beautiful, and the views are truly stunning. It’s just 2 minutes south of the Garrapata Trail and Beach which I listed above!
Bonus: Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant
The Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant is technically located in the Monterey Peninsula just north of Big Sur, but I had to include this as a bonus place to visit because it’s so special!
For dinner in a lovely, idyllic and truly unique setting, or for just a quick stop, the Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant should be a part of your trip, if only to see the beautiful grounds and large field of grazing sheep that they maintain. The vast grounds here with views of the distinctive California coast tree line feel like a private, peaceful hideaway. This 1800s ranch was one of the first dairies of California and was restored by former Carmel Mayor Clint Eastwood. Perhaps you’ve heard of him?
Big Sur Day Trip Itinerary
If you’re coming from the San Francisco Bay Area and looking for a leisurely day trip (my preferred type of trip!), I recommend the following itinerary:
- Start at Point Lobos in the morning for some peaceful nature-viewing.
- Go for a walk along the scenic beach-side Garrapata Trail, just 10 minutes south of Point Lobos.
- *Temporarily Closed* – Stop at the former Rocky Point Restaurant to enjoy the spectacular coastline views.
- Head to Bixby Bridge nearby and check out a few of the viewpoints and stop for some obligatory photos!
- Have lunch at the wonderful Big Sur Bakery, about 20 minutes south of Bixby Bridge. They have delicious fresh bread, savory pastries, and wood-fired pizza! I literally had all my meals here one time when I was camping nearby and loved it soooo much! They’re currently open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, from noon to 3 pm, and for dinner Thursday to Saturday from 5-8 pm.
- McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is about 20 mins south of the Big Sur Bakery.
If time permits: - Nepenthe restaurant for dinner. They’re famous for their terrace views, but there may be a wait to be seated unless you have reservations (TripAdvisor reviews here). They’re currently open from 11:30 am to 10 pm. Make sure to bring warm clothing for the evening!
- Mission Ranch Hotel & Restaurant
Big Sur Weekend Getaway Itinerary
For a weekend getaway, I suggest spending more time at the spots listed for the day trip itinerary, and also including the very charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea in your itinerary! And if you’re visiting in the Spring, make sure to not miss the spectacular magic purple carpet of flowers at Pacific Grove!
Big Sur Hotel Recommendations
When visiting Big Sur, there are many hotel options in Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ken and I usually stay in Monterey, which is great for their downtown sightseeing, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a variety of well-known hotel chains. We have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Cannery Row (economical with free parking and free breakfast) and at the InterContinental the Clement Monterey (beautiful hotel and rooms but pricier) – we enjoyed both and can recommend both of them. You can find hotels & inns with more charm and character at Carmel-by-the-Sea, such as the highly rated Hotel Carmel, as well as upscale hotels such as the stunning Carmel Valley Ranch by Hyatt, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from their ocean view rooms and restaurants! We usually book our hotels through Hotels.com for their flexible rewards program.
There are also several campgrounds and lodges around 40 minutes south of Monterey and Carmel, such as the Glen Oaks Big Sur and the Big Sur Lodge. These lodgings are closer to the Julia Pfeiffer State Park, which is around 15 minutes south.
Tips for Big Sur Road Trips
Most of the Big Sur coastline has few facilities such as restaurants, supermarkets, stores, or gas stations. This helps to maintain it’s unspoiled rugged nature, but it also means you need to be really prepared for your visit! Here are a few tips for your trip:
- Download area maps onto your phone before you leave, since you’ll likely have very limited cell phone reception along the coast!
- Gas up in Monterey before you go any further south (assuming you’re coming from the Bay Area).
- Highway 1 is a two-lane mountain road full of twists and turns. If you’re prone to car sickness as I am, I recommend getting a good night’s sleep, having a good breakfast, and bringing a motion sickness wristband with you. I’ve been using it for years and it does help me.
- Pack food and snacks from home even if you have lunch plans, because you never know if your plans will change and you can’t make it! Plus, running around in this coastal paradise takes a lot of energy! We use a plug-in electric cooler for the car for all our summer road trips and love it. (No ice is needed but we usually put a sealed ice pack in anyway.)
- Or, pick up some sandwiches and other picnic items at the Whole Foods Market in Monterey. Make sure to pack your own utensils from home!
- The weather is very unpredictable, typically starting out cold and foggy in the mornings and warming up in the afternoon. Make sure to dress in layers, bring your sunscreen, sunglasses and also a wool hat and warmcoat!
- The California coast is beautiful – don’t forget to bring your camera! I use my iPhone a lot, but I also love having my full-frame Nikon D750 (newer model Nikon D780 here) with me. I love having the ability to better edit my pictures with a full-frame DSLR, especially for non-ideal lighting conditions.
California Flower Calendar
If you love flowers and gardens, you may be interested in my new California Flower Bloom Calendar post! Some of the flowers I cover include cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, poppy fields, wildflowers, roses and much more! 🌸
My YouTube Channel!
I’ve started a YouTube channel! If you love nature, flowers and gardens as much as I do, make sure to give me a follow there! 😊🌸🌿
Step Inside a Fairytale Rose Garden!
This secret rose garden is full of blooming roses, rose terraces, rose walls, rose pillars, and even a rose-covered gazebo straight out of a fairytale! 🌸
Explore More of California!
If you love nature, wildflowers and exploring as much as I do, then I’m sure you’ll love these books too!
Thank You!
Thank you for stopping by my blog! I hope you found this post useful, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Pansy ❤️
Hi, I’m Pansy!
Hello, thanks for stopping by! I’m Pansy, California-based travel blogger, photographer and lover of ALL the pretty flowers! You may notice that most of my travels, photography & DIY center around flowers and nature! 🌸🌼🌿
I recently started a YouTube channel where I feature beautiful gardens, parks & flower fields! Make sure to follow me there if you love flowers & gardens! 😊
If you’d like to contact me, please send me an email or DM me on Instagram!
Pansy ❤️
The Big Sur coast is stunning. I love the McWay Falls and the turquoise water. Your photos are stunning. I would like to do this drive hopefully one day.
I totally agree, the Big Sur coast is amazing! I hope you will see it in person soon! and thank you so much, I really appreciate it 🙂
The Big Sur coast is one road trip that I have been wanting to do forever! I have heard so much about it, there are so many beautiful stops! I have been wanting to visit Bixby Bridge and Mcway Falls looks amazing! Your coast line images are beautiful.
Hoping to do this roadtrip soon, its been on my list for years. Your pictures are gorgeous!
Oh my goodness I had no idea that this area had such rugged coastline, so much wildlife and so few people (at least it looks that way in your photos!) This looks like heaven for combining a road trip with lots of mini hikes to see the waterfalls, flowers and stunning views. I can see why you love it so much in springtime.
Never visited California Coast, it seems such a nice place. Preparing lunch pack is a great point. Thanks for sharing this.
We visited the west coast last year, was the best trip ever! Brings back great memories! I hope to visit Big Sur one day as we didn’t have time for this
Big Sur is the most stunningly beautiful place I’ve ever been. The mountains meeting the ocean never ceases to amaze me.
Thanks for sharing. I miss it. It’s been a few years.
Yesss!!! I totally agree it’s so magnificent there! I’m so happy my pictures were able to bring back some happy memories for you! 😊
Rocky point is currently closed and up for sale. Apparently the owner passed which is super sad. Hopefully it opens back soon as it truly was a gem.
oh that is so sad to hear! Thank you for the update, and yes I hope it will reopen in the future also. It was one of my favorite spots in Big Sur!
I loved reading about your experience in Big Sur. Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. Happy travels!
Thank you so much! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I need to go back and see why this post came up on my phone , I was taken on journey by your photos that was probably the best time of my life viewing your pics of places I have been to do many times but so long ago ..
I lived in Big Sur all during the 70’s and early 80’s , I had an opportunity to move there right after I graduated from High School , my family
purchased and refurbished an old resort with a large campground just north of Pfeiffer State Park and we spent a couple years cleaning the place up and remodeling the place .
I met people from all over the world and people the lived there quietly and were artists and authors and giants in the corporate world but there they were my neighbors and good friends.
I am not going to bore your with more of my nostalgia but just tell you a couple things about some of the places you mentioned .
Bixby Bridge is not only a fantastic viewpoint , did you know there used to be a restaurant on the north end of the bridge ? If you stop on the turnout on the east side of the road you can see steel and places where the building was attached to the bridge. The beach down below the bridge is also a very awesome place where Bixby Creek flows into the ocean and has a view looking back south at Hurricane Point that is and awesome Photo Op .
I was sad to hear Rocky Point Restaurant was closed but it’s not the first time , it’s had a number of owners over the years and it is a Landmark of the coast . If you haven’t been there at night you should try to do that on one of you trips down the coast , If sounded like you mostly did day trips there but the night holds a whole different experience there . They have huge floodlights that they light up the Point with and illuminate the waves breaking on the rocks and whitewater splashing into the air , it’s also a memorable experience you would love !
There are a hundred more things I could tell you but I have already taken enough of your time with my memories , I am glad for whatever reason yourpost came up on my phone , brought many great memories back for me and your photos of Julia Pfeiffer Burns is the best photo I have ever seen of the place , you caught the best lighting and composition. , you got the essence of it in one shot , Awesome .
Thank You , Kenneth
BTW , I knew Clint back then .
Hi Kenneth, thank you so much for sharing your Big Sur memories with me! That sounds so amazing that you had the opportunity to live there among artists and authors and maybe some CEOs… I’m sure you have some interesting stories you could share (including ones about Clint Eastwood??). No, I didn’t know that there used to be a restaurant at the north end of Bixby Bridge – I’ll have to look for the remnants of it next time I’m there. My husband and I do like to stay overnight in the area sometimes, and in fact, the last time we were there a couple months ago, we watched the sunset from Rocky Point! We have never seen the floodlights there though – that sounds amazing!
I’m so happy that my photos reminded you of some good times in the area – thank you again for sharing!