15 Unique Things To Do In Big Sur CA (Hwy 1 Road Trip)
Are you looking for a list of hidden gem places to visit in Big Sur? You’ve come to the right article.
Big Sur is a rugged 70 mile stretch of coastline on California’s central coast, between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It’s a mix of dense redwood forest and steep cliffs, with dramatic ocean views all throughout.
I drove through Big Sur from north to south, and it was one of the most beautiful areas I’ve seen in California. To help you plan an epic road trip, this article will cover all of the amazing places to visit in, and around Big Sur.
Here are 15 unique places to visit on a Big Sur road trip.
Unique Things To Do In Big Sur
1. Stop At The Iconic Bixby Bridge
Stop by the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge, a spectacular 280 ft bridge, and one of the most photographed landmarks in Big Sur.
Here you’ll have a gorgeous view of the coastline, and you can walk across the street for another perspective of how tall it is.
2. Visit Pfeiffer Beach
Head to Pfeiffer Beach to see Big Sur’s unique purple sand beach. This beach is tucked in the forest, and accessible by a short 10 minute detour off of the highway, down a narrow one-lane road.
It’s known for the famous keyhole rock arch in the center of the beach, and the purple sand it gets from manganese garnet rocks that erode from the cliffs.
This is one of the most serene beaches in all of Big Sur, and the perfect place to watch the sunset.
3. Relax At Partington Cove
Partington Cove is a short hike down a steep cliff to a picturesque cove with benches.
It’s located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and has easy free parking on the side of the street. If you want to stop and stretch your legs for a half hour, it’s worth a visit.
4. See Mcway Falls
Mcway Falls is a breathtaking, 80ft coastal waterfall that pools into the ocean, and a must-see Big Sur attraction.
It’s located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and has free street parking as long as you park on the street (instead of the trailhead parking lot).
It’s a short 5 minute walk to get to the main viewpoint, and it’s incredibly gorgeous during sunset.
5. Dine With A View At Nepenthe
Head to Nepenthe to enjoy a meal overlooking the rugged coast of Big Sur.
This is a popular clifftop restaurant built into a cabin with outdoor seating, and an unbeatable view. It’s worth visiting to enjoy the view from the terrace, and it has a gift shop that sells souvenirs.
6. Go Hiking At Point Lobos State Reserve
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a hidden gem state park, located in Carmel, just north of Big Sur.
It has a variety of coastal hiking trails, with amazing views of the ocean, and birdwatching opportunities. If you have limited time, I recommend hiking the Cypress Grove or Bird Island Trail.
The Cypress Grove Trail is a short 1 mile hike through a grove of Monterey Cypress trees, and an ocean vista where you can see large rocks poking out of the ocean.
The Bird Island Trail is another short 1 mile hike to a picturesque cove, hidden beach, and tiny offshore island swarmed with birds.
Beyond hiking, you can spot sea lions at Sea Lion Point, or visit Whaler’s Cabin to learn about the history of whale fishing in Point Lobos.
7. Hike To Calla Lily Valley & Garrapata Beach
Garrapata State Park is a state park in northern Big Sur, with a variety of coastal hiking trails.
The most popular hike in the park is the Garrapata Trail, which leads down to a cliffside beach, and a field of Calla Lily flowers by a river.
It’s completely free to hike at this park, and I recommend downloading the offline Alltrails map to easily find the field of Calla Lily flowers.
8. Camp Overnight At Pfeiffer State Park
Enjoy time in the forest while camping overnight in the heart of Big Sur.
The most popular campgrounds are at Pfeiffer State Park, which is right next to the Big Sur River and Pfeiffer Beach.
It has 189 RV and tent sites, and you can rent out a standard campsite for $50/night with a reservation. This is a beautiful area to camp, and it’s within a 5 minute drive to the convenience stores in Big Sur.
9. Shop And Dine In Carmel-By-The-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming seaside city, around a half hour north of Big Sur.
It has a powdery white sand beach, and a downtown plaza with boutiques, bakeries, and restaurants.
The neighborhood is also known for its unique storybook style architecture, and some of the shops and homes look like they’re out of a fairytale.
This is a beautiful place to stroll around, or set up a picnic on the beach.
10. Visit The Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay is only around 45 minutes north of Big Sur, and home to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.
This is one of the best aquariums in the country, with over 200 exhibits, from jellyfish to penguins, and sea otters.
If you plan on visiting the aquarium, I recommend spending a night in Monterey or Carmel, as it can easily take up half of your day.
In Monterey, you can also enjoy clam chowder by the water in Old Fisherman’s Wharf, or go on a whale-watching tour from the marina.
11. Drive The Scenic 17 Mile Drive
For more scenic vistas outside of Big Sur, drive the iconic 17 mile drive.
This is a scenic drive through the gated community of Pebble Beach, where you can see the famous Lone Cypress Tree, and vistas like China Rock, Bird Rock, and more.
The drive begins in Monterey, and they’ll provide you with a map of all of the notable vistas as you enter the gate. If you plan on doing the drive, it’s best to give yourself 1-2 hours to relax and explore the different viewpoints.
12. Tour The Hearst Castle In San Simeon
The Hearst Castle is a historic estate perched on a hilltop in San Simeon, with over 165 rooms, luxurious guesthouses, manicured gardens, and outdoor pools.
It hosted celebrities like Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill in its peak around 1920-1930s, and now operates as a museum. If you’re interested in architecture or history, it’s worth stopping by for a tour.
13. Spot Elephant Seals In San Simeon
Stop by the Elephant Seal Vista Point to see dozens of elephant seals basking on the shore in San Simeon.
This is a short walk to a lookout point of elephant seals, located right off of Highway 1. It’s one of the coolest attractions in Big Sur, and less than a 10 minute drive from the famous Hearst Castle.
14. Spend The Night At The Madonna Inn
If you’re looking for somewhere unique to stay, spend a night at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.
This is an iconic California hotel built in 1958, with quirky architecture, a restaurant, bakery, and 110 individually themed rooms.
The rooms are given unique names like “Sugar & Spice” and “Yosemite Rock”, and it has a bakery that’s known for serving huge slices of pink champagne cake.
It’s also less than a 30 minute drive from both Morro Bay and Pismo Beach, so there’s no shortage of fun things to do nearby.
15. Explore Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a sleepy coastal town on the southern end of Big Sur. It’s home to the famous Morro Rock, a huge 581 ft volcanic plug, tucked on the edge of the harbor.
It has a marina, long stretches of sandy beaches, and a marine estuary.
In Morro Bay, you can spot sea otters by the marina, go for a long walk on the beach, or rent out kayaks to explore the estuary.
Summary
Big Sur is one of the most scenic areas in California, and the perfect place to retreat in nature.
I recommend giving yourself a full day to drive through Big Sur, so that you have plenty of time to explore the different attractions.
Additionally, make sure to download the offline maps so you won’t miss any stop, as there’s no little to no cell service through Big Sur!
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