South of Monterey, beautiful Big Sur sits between a 90-mile stretch of the Pacific Ocean and the craggy Santa Lucia Range. Rugged and raw, this wilderness is all the more surprising in that it has continued to exist in hip California, the USA’s third most populous state. An iconic region which has inspired Native Americans, early Spanish settlers and generations of writers, Big Sur promises an adventurous escape admist spell-binding scenery. Accommodation options include everything from simple motor lodges to luxurious couples’ hideaways, fit for a whole host of tastes and budgets. Nestled within a dramatic landscape of mountains and forests, the best places to stay in Big Sur are remote, restful and seriously special.
150 miles from San Francisco, this area has long appealed to creatives, counter-culture icons — Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, Hunter S Thompson and the hippies of the 1960s, amongst others — as well as lovers of the great outdoors. Campers and diving holidaymakers also adore Big Sur. Make your way along the sweeping curves of Highway 1 to enormous Brixby Bridge, Point Sur Lighthouse and Big Sur village, amongst other landmarks.
The best of Big Sur lies further off the beaten track. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Andrew Molera State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are particular highlights. Retreat into the wilderness for days of hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, wildlife spotting, horse riding and yoga, before feasting on organic, locally-sourced produce or sipping Californian wine. Clamber through forests of towering redwoods before unwinding around a campfire, or enjoying a soak in your private hot tub at one of the best places to stay in Big Sur. The views will undoubtedly be dazzling.