When we were planning our first trip to Big Sur, we didn’t know what it even was. Was it a park, mountain, or town? So, we did some research and visited to find out exactly what Big Sur is and where it spans. Here’s what we found.
Big Sur is a 90-mile region on the coast of Central California preserved as an open space with a small residential community and agricultural ranching. The region of Big Sur also holds Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and the Los Padres National Forest owned by the state and country.
Let’s take a closer look at the different parts of Big Sur and where the region starts and ends.
Big Sur is a Region With State Parks Inside
1. How Big Sur Became a Region
In the 1800s, most of the land in Big Sur was owned by the Mexican government and protected by land grants. At this time, Big Sur was called El Sur Grande (The Big South).
Once California became a state in 1850, the state owned the land and Big Sur was preserved as a region.
The majority of Big Sur is owned either by the government or by private agencies. With much of this land belonging to the State Parks and National Forests.
Made up of small communities, Big Sur roughly has a population of only 5,000 residents.
While you can purchase land for residence in Big Sur, they are strict on what can be developed.
2. State Parks in Big Sur
In 1869, homesteaders Micheal and Barbara Pfeiffer settled in the area of Big Sur and had a son named John, with the help of the Homestead Act.
In 1930, John Pfeiffer had the opportunity to sell his land to a Los Angeles developer for $210,000. The developer wanted to build a subdivision on the land. Instead, Pfeiffer sold 700 acres to the state of California in 1933 and they named the new state park after John and Florence in their honor.
The History of Big Sur
In 1933, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park was established. Then came the building of the infamous Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway), which stretches across the entire region of Big Sur.
In 1962, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park was opened, named after John Pfeiffer’s daughter.
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3. Big Sur Village
Big Sur Village is a small community inside the region of Big Sur that people oftentimes confuse with the actual region.
The village is right in between Andrew Molera State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, off Highway 1. The community has a lot to offer besides having infamous parks nearby, like retreats, dining options, and galleries.
Where is Big Sur?
Big Sur is on the coast between Los Angeles and San Fransisco in Monterey County.
The region is located in Central California and stretches around 90 miles north to south, starting at Carmel-by-the-Sea, and ending at San Simeon. This region is known for its mountainous terrain meeting the Pacific Ocean, with redwood forests.
At the northern edge of the Big Sur region is the city of Monterey, which is 4.5 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea and 30 miles from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Sierra National Forest and Yosemite National Park are only 3-4 hours northeast of Big Sur.
Best Time to Visit Big Sur
The ideal time to visit the Big Sur area is in the fall or spring.
You don’t have to risk the chances of running into huge crowds, higher prices, or the amount of marine layer that takes place in the summer. You can also avoid possible road closures and uncomfortable weather in the winter.
While it’s generally better to visit in the fall, you’ll see the blooming of wildflowers, whale watching, and overall great weather in the spring.
For example, we’ve since been to the Big Sur area many times, with the most recent time being this past August. We experienced tons of fog and a few lane closures along PCH.
Recommended: Does Big Sur Get Foggy (& When)?
However, when we went a few years back in October, we had a beautiful drive and sunset at Carmel.
The weather is nearly the same year-round, and we recommend a jacket and pants during the early morning and evenings when the marine layer or fog is overhead. The afternoons can get quite hot when the sun comes out.
If you’re not a fan of the fog, consider visiting Ventura or Los Angeles for the sun and warmth. The Santa Monica mountains have less fog, great hikes, and amazing views of the ocean!
Top 3 Things To Do in Big Sur (1-Day Itinerary)
I asked a few locals from Central and Southern California what their top spots in Big Sur were and they said these are a must-see.
1. Nepenthe
Nepenthe is a restaurant with an array of different food options. This restaurant is right off Highway One, among the Santa Lucia Mountains, and is known for its phenomenal views of the Pacific Ocean and rugged coast.
When we visited Big Sur, we really wanted to make it a priority to stop there but there were road closures around it.
2. Tanbark and Tin House Trail
The Tanbark Trail is a trail off Highway One. If you are looking to see redwoods while visiting, I recommend going here. The trail begins with a beautiful creek, and redwood trees, and ends with views of the ocean. This trail made me feel like I was in a fairy tale.
When we were in Big Sur, we did the Tanbark Trail, but we ran out of time and didn’t make it to the Tin House at the summit. We passed some locals on the way down and they said we were missing out big time! Note, it’s a tougher hike than it seems, so allow lots of time and bring lots of water!
Here’s the link to the trail on All Trails if you’d like to check it out!
3. McWay Falls
McWay Falls is a stop in Big Sur no one can miss. It is a beautiful waterfall on the beach. I went to this waterfall on the coast last time I went to Big Sur and it was one of the best parts of the trip! Here’s a photo I took:
Recommended: Can You Go Down McWay Falls in Big Sur? (I Checked)
Final Thoughts
From doing research on this topic, I found that Big Sur is a stretch right along the California coast that is home to many different towns. The region holds the infamous state parks Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, as well as a village named Big Sur Village.
Sources
- https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/california-admission-anniversary.html
- https://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/history.html
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=197536