In the 1950s and ’60s, Big Sur became a retreat for artists and writers, including Carolyn Mary Kleefeld, Rita Hayworth, and Henry Miller. Today Big Sur attracts self-proclaimed artists, new-age mystics, latter-day hippies and city slickers seeking to unplug and reflect more deeply on this emerald-green edge of the continent. Novelist Herbert Gold described it as “one of the grand American retreats for those who nourish themselves with wilderness”.

Where to Stay

Glen Oaks
http://glenoaksbigsur.com/

Ventana
https://www.ventanabigsur.com/

Post Ranch Inn
https://postranchinn.com/

What to Do

Pfeiffer State Park and Beach
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570

McWay Falls
http://www.hikinginbigsur.com/hikes_mcwayfalls.html

Bixby Bridge
https://www.visitcalifornia.com/attraction/bixby-bridge

Point Lobos Natural Reserve
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571

Where to Drink

Nepenthe (Gorgeous views, slightly splurgy.)
https://www.nepenthe.com/

Rocky Point Restaurant (We go for drinks and a view, but it is a full-service restaurant.)
http://www.rockypointrestaurant.com/

Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn
https://postranchinn.com/

Where to Eat

Big Sur Bakery
https://www.bigsurbakery.com/

Big Sur Roadhouse
https://glenoaksbigsur.com/big-sur-roadhouse/

Big Sur Deli
https://www.bigsurdeli.com/

Deejen’s Restaurant
https://www.deetjens.com/restaurant.html

The Village
https://www.thevillagebigsur.com/

Souvenirs

Seasonal Stollen Bread at Big Sur Bakery
https://www.bigsurbakery.com/shop/stollen/

Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe
https://www.nepenthe.com/phoenix