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Big Sur stretches 71 miles along the Pacific Coastline and is home to varyous communities from San Simeon where the Santa Lucia Mountains begin, to deep rich forests of Pfeiffer state park, to the coastal town Monterey.

Big Sur has around five to seven million visitors a year yet the coast is home to only two thousand. This staggering difference is somewhat due to the "Big Sur Village" a small, unincorperated community of homes and businesses located within the Big Sur Region dedicated to the conservation of the coastline. Many of these businesses are restaurants overlooking the scenic shore.

Despite local efforts, the coastline, and neighboring forests, have both suffered the carelessness of tourism. In 2016 a Wildfire broke out in the Ventana region from a single illegal campfire. The fire burned for 3 months, scorched over 130,000 acres of woodlands, and cost $260,000,000 to extinguish.

visitors are always welcome, Pfeiffer state park has designated camping areas and there are many hotels along the 71 mile stretch.

Follow Along as Youtuber "Through My Lens" takes you on his single day roadtrip through all the beautiful landmarks and sights along the Big Sur Coast!

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle is located in San Simeon at the base of Big Sur. The 40,000 Acre estate is typically the first stop on the way up the shore for visitors, It is recommended to dedicate a whole day to Hearst castle as there are scheduled tours that take visitors through the whole castle. It was also the filming location for Lady Gaga's music video for "G.U.Y."

Elephant Seal Beach

Elephant Seal Beach is located at vista point, 5 miles north of Hearst castle. Elephant Seal Beach is available for public viewing at all times along Highway 1 where seals mate, molt and sleep. This 8 mile stretch sees thousands of seals daily.

McWay Falls

Due to steep hills as well as general preservation it is illegal to go down to the waterfall however there are plenty of lookout points for breathtaking sights.

On their 1973 album "Holland", The Beach Boys released a three track saga dedicated to their home state, California. The song "California Saga (Big Sur)" is filled with observations and memories of the Pacific Coast stretch told through evocative poetry and bittersweet chords and melodies. A faithful ode to rugged mountain side.

Ratched is a Psychological Horror television series released on Netflix in 2020. The plot follows an asylum nurse who moves to Big Sur seeking employment and spends her time conducting experiments on the human mind. This series fascinatingly brings a dark and thrilling theme to the blissful and vibrant coastline.

Big Sur Conservation efforts

Sobranes Forest Fire

Schedule A Tour To Hearst Castle