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Where It's At
The 90 mile stretch of coastline known as Big Sur lies along
the route of Highway 1 between Carmel and San Simeon.
It's name is an amalgamation of the Spanish 'El Sur Grande'
and it's English translation 'the Big South'. The name 'Big
Sur' refers to the spectacular cliffs, beaches and forests
south of Monterey and Carmel. The stark natural
beauty of this place where the San Lucia mountains meet the
Pacific Ocean has inspired great artists, writers and soul-searchers
such as Jack Kerouac and Henry Miller, and has
been dubbed 'the greatest meeting of land and water in the
world'.
How to Get There
Highway 1 winds its way along this coastline and numerous
turnoffs allow for panoramic views of the sea, deep blue ocean
waves, and in the spring, the spouts of migrating whales offshore.
A whole day is needed to get from Monterey to Los Angeles
by the coastal Highway 1 which passes Hearst Castle,
a good afternoon stop off site.
When to Go
Although winter is the rainy season in this part of the United
States, the rugged natural beauty of the coastline is in it's
stormy element. The hillsides around Big Sur are lush and
green and in December the woods are carpeted with wild flowers.
Even during the summer months this part of California tends
to be cooler and foggier than the sun-baked stretches of sand
in the south, so come prepared with some warm clothing.
Highlights
While some of the Big Sur coastline is private property closed
to the public, there are several State Park and U.S. Forest
Service beaches which offer breathtaking scenery and a host
of recreational activities:
- Go horseback riding in Andrew Molera State Park,
with it's meadows of wild flowers, fantastic views of the
coastal mountain range and sandy cove.
- Wander down to Pfeiffer Beach, where the sun sets
spectacularly behind off-shore arch-shaped rock formations.
- Crescent-shaped Sand Dollar Beach is Big Sur's sandiest
stretch and is the best protected from the elements. Nearby
Jade Cove is popular with beachcombers scouring the
shore for a semi-precious souvenir of their trip.
- From the coast all the way up to the 3,000 foot ridges far
above, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a woodland
paradise with redwood, tan oak, madrone and chaparral, with
an 80-foot waterfall and panoramic views of the ocean from
granite cliffs.
- Big Sur is on the bi-annual migratory route of the Californian
Grey Whale, as it makes its way back and forth between
the chilly Bering and Chukchi Seas and the warmer waters of
Baja California. To catch a glimpse of this majestic mammal
visit Big Sur between December and February or March and May.
You don't even need to organise a boat trip, as the whales
swim so close to the shore you can spot them from road-side
lay-bys.
- The annual Big Sur Jazz Fest takes place each May,
when artists and musicians converge on the coast and put on
world-class performances in the area's restaurants, bars and
even out of doors in the State Parks.
- Ansel Adams, the legendary photographer, frequently
photographed this place and travellers interested in his stunning
black and white photography should make time for the Ansel
Adams museum store in downtown Monterey. Just down
the street from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which highlights
the flaura and fauna of the Monterey Bay, the Ansel Adams
museum store sells authenticated prints from Mr. Adams along
with books on this famous American's life.
- Just south of Big Sur is Nepenthes, a rustic home
that has been turned into a popular restaurant seving basic
American fare in one of the most spectacular settings; as
you eat your food feast on the magnificent views of the Big
Sur coast. It gets cold here in the summer what with the fog,
but in spring, autumn and winter the weather is enjoyable
and fresh. |
