A Magical Place For Exploration
Located at the intersection of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains, equal parts American legend and natural wonder, Big Sur is one of the most magical places on Earth. As you drive along the highway hugging the edge of the continent, you quickly come to understand the allure of this iconic destination.
Geographically speaking, “Big Sur” denotes a 90-mile stretch between Carmel to the north and San Simeon to the south. There is no downtown — only miles of staggeringly beautiful coastline, ocean cliffs, steep ridges, jagged peaks, deep gorges, flowing rivers and a population of approximately 1,000 residents. Big Sur’s history is as remarkable as its setting, a rich and storied heritage of diverse civilizations, cultural influencers, forward thinkers and creative artists of every kind. This is where people come to find what they’ve been looking for — even if they don’t quite know what that is yet.
From star-strewn skies to pristine beaches and forests, Big Sur offers plentiful opportunities to unwind and explore. Adventurers will find enticements including an array of hiking trails and a variety of other outdoor pursuits such as cycling, surfing and horseback riding. Central Coast landmarks, both manmade and natural, dot the landscape, including the purple sands of Pfeiffer State Beach, the arches of Bixby Bridge and the historic Point Sur Light Station. Destinations such as Hearst Castle, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Point Lobos State Reserve have earned national acclaim, and for good reason: Seldom do nature’s glory and humanity’s ingenuity align so ideally.
