Big Sur

Best Things to Do in Big Sur

BY Teaghan Skulszki | October 12, 2022

Welcome to Fifty Grande’s Best of the U.S. Bucket List series. This is your one-stop travel guide to the best, most unique and quintessential experiences of a city, state or event. Want to know how to “do” the Big Sur, California? We’ve got you covered. Curated by experts, vetted by in-the-know locals, this is all you need to have the best trip ever. If we’ve written a Bucket List, we recommend you go. If it’s on this list, it’s the best the city has to offer right now. Consider this your one-stop answer to “What are the best things to do in Big Sur?”

Big Sur is not a “sure, maybe we’ll stop by” kind of place. It is a necessity on any trip down the California coast. The stillness of the redwoods beckon you to slow down and take a deep breath of fresh Pacific air, to forget about Zoom meetings and deadlines. With little to no cell service, it’s not like you have much of a choice. Instead, you must look up from your devices and out to the land once home to the Esselen Tribe, to its lime kilns preserved deep in the forest and its towering redwoods that still grow wild. As you drive through the Santa Lucia Mountains, you’ll see larger-than-life trees sprouting from ocean cliffs; that’s when you’ll know you’ve arrived.

The city itself has the easygoing energy of the artists and honest people who live there. You’ll be greeted by friendly faces in the many family-owned establishments. After a long day of work, the locals dine and drink with tourists, sharing the tall tales that lie between the redwoods. In the guide below, we compiled the places you need to know to get the most out of the city and its surrounding forest, plus some bonus content from the surrounding towns so you can explore the neighbors of this coastal wonderland.

You’re Here to Hike Through Coastal Redwoods

Partington Cove
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Partington Cove Tunnel, Big,Sur, California. Photo by Shutterstock.

Partington Cove

51700 CA-1, Big Sur, CA, USA

This 1.1-mile out-and-back trail is family friendly and descends to a slice of Pacific pie that leads to an enchanting cove. To get to the cove, you’ll have to go through a 60-foot tunnel created in the 1880s to transport oak from the forest to the ships down below. 

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Calla Lily Valley by the Pacific Ocean. Photo by Shutterstock.
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Calla Lily Valley by the Pacific Ocean. Photo by Shutterstock.

Grappatta (Calla Lilly Valley)

Garrapata Trail, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, USA

If you find yourself in Big Sur in the spring, check out what the California coast considers its spring snowfall: Calla lilies that bloom in late January-April blanket this trail. It’s only a 0.3-mile hike with a slight decline from the top of the coastal bluffs to the calla lilies.

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A female hiker walks down a trail in Big Sur, California.
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A female hiker walks down a trail in Big Sur, California. Photo by Shutterstock.

Creamery Meadow, Bluffs, Panorama and Ridge Trail

Andrew Molera State Park, 45500 CA-1, Big Sur, CA, USA

This 8.0-mile loop is not for the faint of heart, but it shows off every one of Big Sur’s unique characteristics: redwood groves, wild coastline and breathtaking ocean views. 

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Dine With Ocean Views

Nepenthe in Big Sur
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Nepenthe in Big Sur

Nepenthe

48510 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA, USA

Perched on a cliffside with the Santa Lucia Mountains painted behind it, Nepenthe is the ultimate sunset stop-and-sip. Constructed entirely of wood, this seaside cabin has lounging areas on an open patio.When you’re here, order the French dip: a roasted top sirloin on a French baguette with Havarti served au jus. Just remember, when the California marine fog rolls, it’s time to wrap yourself in a puffer jacket and Carhartt beanie.

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Big Sur Bakery
#5
Big Sur Bakery

Big Sur Bakery

47540 California 1, Big Sur, California, USA

Big Sur Bakery sits in the middle of the adventure. Only 2.5 miles away from Pfeiffer Beach, this is the perfect place to grab fresh pastries and a hot coffee before a beach picnic. Hidden next to the Big Sur Bakery is a local community of women artists whose work is inspired by the ethereal land. On the other side of the bakery lies a small shop containing bohemian accessories and oddities. 

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Big Sur River Inn
#6
Big Sur River Inn

Big Sur River Inn

46800 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA, USA

Dip your toes in the Big Sur River as you sip on something delicious and sit in Adirondack chairs. On Sundays, you can pair your drinks and dinner with music from local bands. Overstay your meal at their lovely inn and nibble on classic American dishes at every time of the day. Start your morning with a chicken fried tri-tip with eggs and end your day with a black Angus rib-eye.

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Coast Big Sur
#7
Coast Big Sur

Coast Big Sur

49901 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA, USA

It is no wonder that Big Sur attracts so many artists: It is surrounded by one of the most picturesque backdrops in the U.S. This gallery was once a water tank, making it a great backdrop for an Instagram photo. It has an espresso bar and rooftop cafe where you can grab a  vanilla bay laurel soft serve or a Dreamsicle sundae to enjoy while taking in those ocean views. 

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Drink Between Some of the Biggest Trees in the Country

Big Sur Taphouse
#8
Big Sur Taphouse

Big Sur Taphouse

47520 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA, USA

The Big Sur Taphouse is more than a local bar for residents. In 2016, landslides caused by the Soberanes wildfire and heavy rains tore down a major bridge, leaving locals stranded. The community banded together to build a bypass trail called the Taphouse Trail. At the core of the trail lies Big Sur Taphouse, which served as a relaxation station for those taking the trail after a long day of work. Today, they have great deals on food, like on Taco Tuesday, when you can get chicken tinga, pork chorizo, carne asada and Beyond Beef tacos. Some of our other favorite specials include Fishy Fryday or Slider Saturday, and there is always cold beer on tap.

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Fernwood Tavern
#9
Fernwood Tavern

Fernwood Tavern

Fernwood Tavern, California 1, Big Sur, CA, USA

Hugged between massive redwoods and warm fairy lights, this tavern is the ideal place to unwind after a long day of exploring. If you’re looking to feed the family, grab one of their build-your-own pizzas, which feeds four people and has a gluten-free option. Pair it with mezcal Negroni to help you deal with the kids after (or during) a long day. The tavern is connected to a general store and espresso cafe, making it a one-stop shop for the toiletries you forgot to pack and a much-needed pick-me-up before you get back on the road.

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Sleep in a Yurt in the Woods

Treebones Resort
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Treebones Resort

Treebones Resort

71895 California 1, Big Sur, CA, USA

Leave the hotel bathrobe behind and get your glamp on in a yurt equipped with colorful quilts and cozy comforters. If you’re looking to get more in tune with nature, the resort also offers a wood art campsite called the Human Nest that looks like a vortex of branches twisted into a nest for two humans. The nest was constructed by Big Sur artist Jayson Fann and is BYOSB (Bring Your Own Sleeping Bag). 

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Take the Iconic Big Sur Photos

Bixby Creek Bridge
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Bixby Bridge on Pacific Coast Highway (highway 1) near Big Sur, California. Photo by Shutterstock.

Bixby Creek Bridge

Bixby Creek Bridge, California 1, Monterey, CA, USA

The Bixby Creek Bridge is the classic image of Big Sur and probably what you pictured when you decided to click on this guide. Completed in 1932, this Bridge offers stunning 360-degree views of the cliffs, ocean and redwoods. When you drive past the bridge, play Michael Kiwanuka’s “Cold Little Heart” for the ultimate “Big Little Lies” moment. 

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Pfeiffer,Beach, California. Photo by Shutterstock.
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Pfeiffer,Beach, California. Photo by Shutterstock.

Pfeiffer Beach

9100 Sycamore Canyon Road, Big Sur, CA, USA

Entering Pfeiffer Beach in Los Padres National Forest, you stumble through an archway of cypress trees that opens up to Keyhole Arch, a small hole in a large rock formation shaped like a castle that acts like a portal to the Pacific. In the winter, come at sunset for a light show by Mother Nature that looks like the heavens are descending down from the rock. 

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McWay Falls in Big Sur. Photo by Shutterstock.
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McWay Falls in Big Sur. Photo by Shutterstock.

McWay Falls

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California 1, Big Sur, CA, USA

McWay Falls is one of the two waterfalls on the California coast that flow onto the sandy beaches. A short 0.6-mile hike from the parking lot, this waterfall flows into an emerald pool that can only be described as magic. 

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Check Out Monterey

You may have heard Nicole Kidman or Reese Witherspoon grit the word “Monterey” between their teeth on “Big Little Lies,” but to the average tourist, this city serves as a base camp to Big Sur. It’s full of fun activities that immerse the family in the nature of Northern California and lively bars to retire to after a day of exploring and education.

Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photo by Shutterstock.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photo by Shutterstock.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA, USA

Opened in 1984, this Aquarium showcases the marine life and environment unique to Northern California. Their newest exhibit, Into the Deep, explores the depth of the ocean and lets you  catch bioluminescent animals glowing in the dark. Tickets are $49.95 for adults and $34.95 for children. 

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Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
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Cluster of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) during winter migration. Monarch Grove Sanctuary, Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California. Photo by Shutterstock.

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary

1073 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, USA

From October-February you can catch monarch butterflies nestling in the eucalyptus grove, an otherworldly experience. Admission is free.

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Pavel’s Backerie
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Pavel’s Backerie

Pavel’s Backerie

219 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove, CA, USA

This bakery is the perfect stop before tackling a day of exploring and adventures. Grab their mixed berry danish for a sweet treat or the Farmer’s Breakfast Brotchen for a savory start to your day. 

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Paluca Trattoria
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Paluca Trattoria

Paluca Trattoria

Paluca Trattoria, Fishermans Wharf, Monterey, CA, USA

Want to explore the Monterey Bay that exists in the world of “Big Little Lies”? Paluca Trattoria is a must-stop. In our slice of the multiverse, it serves seafood-heavy Sicilian classics, but in the world of HBO, it is a coffee shop that is home to hot brews and good gossip. 

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Dust Bowl Brewing Co.
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Dust Bowl Brewing Co.

Dust Bowl Brewing Co.

290 Figueroa St, Monterey, CA, USA

This Monterey taproom is steps away from the Fisherman’s Wharf, which makes it a great place to relax and renew after a long day of tourist traffic. We’re big fans of the Peace Love & Haze, a hazy IPA with flavors of pineapple, guava and orange. They also have a resident food truck, Wedo’s Tacos.

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Explore Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea instantly transports you into the middle of a storybook with its idyllic architecture. If Virginia is for lovers, then Carmel-by-the-Sea is for hopeless romantics with a passion for sipping on wine. 

La Bicyclette
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La Bicyclette

La Bicyclette

Seventh & Dolores, Dolores Street, Carmel, CA, USA

You never know what you’re going to get at La Bicyclette —  their menu changes weekly. This French-Italian bistro dates all the way back to 1974 when it served only one prix fixe dish per night. If you happen to be there when they serve their Pescado à la Plancha, a fresh-caught fish sauteed in spinach and served with potatoes three ways in a white wine caper-herb sauce, don’t hesitate to order it. 

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Carmel-by-the-Sea
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Small stores along the sidewalk in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Photo by Shutterstock.

Wine Tasting

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, USA

If you can’t decide on one wine, why not try 11 different tasting rooms? While you stroll through the European-like village of Carmel, use a free mobile guide to take you on a walkable wine-tasting journey.

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Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
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Scenic foggy landscape with view of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey, California. Photo by Shutterstock.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, California 1, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, USA

Point Lobos beckons you to take a romantic stroll on the beach. Grab the hand of your loved one and take them through a journey between steep cliff faces, ocean shores and secret sea caves. You can walk through scenic trails, dive deep for some great scuba diving and learn about the whaling industry.

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