There’s no doubt that the most epic part of the entire Pacific Coast Highway is in Big Sur. Complete with Redwood groves, multiple hiking routes, cascading cliffs featuring waterfalls and those iconic rugged coastline views, let me show you how to spend 1 day in Big Sur, California. By the end of it, you’ll end up wanting to live here!
Getting to Big Sur, California
Located south of Carmel on the rugged Pacific Coast Highway is Big Sur, California. Most people visiting Big Sur pass through on a Highway 1 road trip. Others fly into the closest major city of San Francisco, rent a car and drive the 150 miles south to Monterey County.
If you’re wanting to spend more than a day in Big Sur, keep reading below to find the best spots for accommodations and camping and some good grub.
How to Spend 1 Day in Big Sur, California
Let’s be honest, you could spend a year in Big Sur hiking the trails and diving deeper into the state parks. For this one day in Big Sur itinerary I’ll supply you with a jam-packed list of the most epic things to see and do.
Be sure to check for any alerts or updates about the Big Sur area here
Bixby Creek Bridge
Begin your morning by watching the sun rise behind that beautiful manmade structure, the Bixby Creek Bridge. Completed back in 1930, it’s one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world and one of the most photographed areas in all of California.
Read more about visiting the Bixby Creek Bridge here
Stroll around Andrew Molera State Park
If you’re looking to get lost walking along the coast, Andrew Molera State Park is the place for you. While very undeveloped, the park was left to the state by its former owner in hopes of preserving the land. Miles of trails lead around the coastal bluffs and down to stunning beaches.
Hang Out at the Big Sur Village
Whether you want to visit an art gallery, do some yoga, hang out by the Big Sur river or grab a couple of brews and chill outside, look no further than the Big Sur Village.
Purple Sand at Pfeiffer State Beach
One of my personal favorite areas in Big Sur is Pfeiffer State Beach. World-renowned for its purple sand and natural bridges like Keyhole Rock, it’s a must-see stop while visiting Big Sur. You can also explore the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park north of here for short hikes through Redwoods and to waterfalls.
Note that there is a fee for Pfeiffer State Beach. Read more about visiting here
Drive the Pacific Coast Highway
For the next areas to check out in Big Sur, we’ll have to hop on that famous Pacific Coast Highway and head south. This part of the drive is regarded as one of the most beautiful routes in the world. Untouched natural beauty resides in the massive cliffs with nonstop waves crashing along the shores.
Embarking on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip? Check out my 7 day itinerary here!
Partington Cove Trail
The Big Sur area is a hiker’s haven. With more than 50 options for trails in the area, seeing the coast by foot is one of the best ways to experience it. The shortest and best hike that I would recommend along Highway 1 is the Partington Cove Trail. At just over a mile, the route winds you down the cliff, through an old lumber tunnel and out into the stunning Partington Cove.
Read more about hiking the Partington Cove trail here
Gaze Upon McWay Falls
Probably the most naturally-beautiful stop in all of Big Sur is McWay Falls. This 80-foot-tall waterfall drips directly on to the beach below. At high tide, McWay Falls flows right into the ocean, making it only one of 2 tidefalls in all of California.
Read more about visiting McWay Falls here
Staying in Big Sur
Big Sur is the perfect place to camp out under the stars and there are multiple places to do so. Not into camping? No worries, I got ya covered with lodging options too.
Accommodations in Big Sur
Lodging: Accommodations don’t come cheap in Big Sur. For hotels, the most budget-friendly is at the Big Sur Lodge or Big Sur River Inn. Find luxury accommodations at Ventana. While most AirBnbs aren’t closely located to Big Sur, you can find some good options along the coast to the north. Click here to save some money on your first stay with AirBnb!
Camping: Multiple camping spots exist along the coast, ran by private or state campgrounds. Check out the full list of paid campgrounds here. If you’re looking for more of an adventure and a free camping spot, check out my blog post here on how to get there.
Read More: Free Camping in Big Sur with Million Dollar Views
Good Eats in Big Sur
You don’t have to wander far from the Big Sur area to find good eats. My favorite places to frequent include the Big Sur Bakery or The Village for breakfast/brunch, the Big Sur Roadhouse for lunch and Nepenthe for dinner.
Day Trip Options from Big Sur
If you get more free time while visiting Big Sur, there are many other places worthy of exploring. Take a road trip down the 17 mile drive to see the Lone Cypress or play a round of golf at Pebble Beach. Stop by my favorite little town on the entire coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea and enjoy some time exploring Cannery Row in Monterey.
Read more about Carmel-by-the-Sea here or, for a full 7 day itinerary for the Pacific Coast, check out my blog post here
Be sure to check out my California archives here for more first-hand experiences and tips for exploring!
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