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Big Sur is located approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles.The
Ventana Wilderness, Silver Peak Wilderness and Los Padres National Forest lie within the mountain range.The
Ventana Wilderness straddles the Santa Lucia Range, a young and rugged chain of mountains rising more than
4,000 feet above the Big Sur coastline. Though elevations here are only about one-third those of the Sierra Nevada,
the Santa Lucias are actually steeper than the Sierra's eastern escarpment --the mountains here plunge straight
into the Pacific.
The Ventana's position between the southernmost range of northern plants, like redwoods, and the northernmost
range of southern plants, like chamise, is unique. Several species, such as the Santa Lucia fir, exist nowhere else.
In addition to its highly diverse plant communities, the Ventana also hosts a large population of migrant birds and
supports a variety of other animals.
Historically, the name Big Sur was derived from the unexplored and unmapped wilderness along the coast south
of Monterey. Although there were two Mexican Land Grants awarded in the 1830s, which included most of the area
north of the Big Sur Valley, neither grantee settled on the land. It was little more than a century ago when the first
permanent settlers arrived in Big Sur. In the following decades, other hardy pioneers followed and staked out their
homesteads. Local landmarks still bear the names of many ot those early settlers - Mt. Manuel, Pfeiffer Ridge,
Post Summit, Cooper Point, Dani Ridge, Partington Cove and others. Some of their descendants still live in Big Sur.
A century ago, Big Sur sustained a larger population than it does today. Redwood lumbering provided livelihoods
for many. The Old Coast Trail supported wagon traffic between the homesteads, while steamers transported heavy
goods and supplies, harboring at Notley's Landing, Partington Cove, and the mouth of the Little Sur River.
Navigation was treacherous, and in 1889, the Point Sur Lighthouse began sending its powerful beam to protect
ships from the coastal hazards.
The highway was completed in 1937 after eighteen years of construction at a considerable expense, even with the
aid of convict labor.
In 1938, the two-million-acre Los Padres National Forest was named by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to
honor the Franciscan missionaries. Electricity did not arrive in Big Sur until the early 1950s, and it still does not
extend the length of the coast or into the more remote mountain areas. Big Sur History.
Big Sur's rugged mountains, crashing surf, and abundant wildlife have captivated generations of visitors. In no
other part of the world do fog-loving coastal redwoods thrive on one slope of a canyon while arid-climate yuccas
grow on the other. It is also home to the rare and endangered California Condor.
Cormorants, pelicans and gulls blanket the offshore rocks while sea otters and gray whales are often observed
from shore.
Isolated by the steep coastal mountain range and rugged coastline, Big Sur remains sparsely populated, with
fewer than 1500 inhabitants. Big Sur, in the Big Sur River valley, Lucia, near Limekiln State park, Ragged Point
and Gorda on the southern coast, are the only tiny towns along the way. The mountainous terrain and lack of
property available for development have kept Big Sur almost unspoiled.
Climb up on the high ridges of Big Sur for a spectacular view of the coastline on the western slope and gaze into
three million acres of wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest on the eastern slope. Big Sur's network of over
300 miles of hiking trails offers waterfalls, rivers, shady canyons, tidepools, isolated beaches and huge stands of
redwoods.
There are scenic way stations and trailheads at Salmon Creek, Willow Creek, Plaskett and Kirk Creek. The double
waterfall at Salmon Creek is easily accessible. Camping is available at Plaskett and Kirk Creek. Mill Creek is an
excellent spot for a picnic.
The land use restrictions that have preserved Big Sur's natural beauty also mean that tourist accommodations are
limited, often expensive, and fill up quickly during the busy summer season. There are fewer than 300 hotel rooms
on the entire 90-mile stretch of Highway 1 between San Simeon and Carmel, only two gas stations, no chain
hotels, supermarkets, or fast-food outlets. The lodging options are rustic cabins, motels, and campgrounds, or
costly, exclusive five-star resorts, with little in between. (If you feel extravagant, check out
The Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, rooms starting at $500, voted best inn in USA by Conde Nast in 2006.)
Plan ahead, come prepared and experience one of the truly awesome places in the world.
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Big Sur commonly refers to the region of the California's Central Coast between Carmel and San Simeon.
California's Highway 1 snakes along the western edge of the precipitous cliffs of the Santa Lucias, affording
endless views of the rugged beaches and deep blue Pacific.The section of Highway 1 running through Big Sur is
widely considered as one of the most scenic driving routes in the United States, if not the world. Photo Gallery.
California's Highway 1 snakes along the western edge of the precipitous cliffs of the Santa Lucias, affording
endless views of the rugged beaches and deep blue Pacific.The section of Highway 1 running through Big Sur is
widely considered as one of the most scenic driving routes in the United States, if not the world. Photo Gallery.
Ventana Wilderness Gets Bigger A 160-acre tract of land near Tassajara Hot Springs has
been purchased by The Wilderness Land Trust and will be turned over to the U.S. Forest Service to become part
of the Ventana Wilderness.
In partnership with the Big Sur Land Trust, it has purchased the historic Horse Pasture property in the northern
Ventana Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest. Adding the horse pasture will expand the Ventana
Wilderness to 240,184 acres and guarantees that the popular Horse Pasture Trail will remain open for public
enjoyment in perpetuity.
The property is near the trail head just north of Tassajara Hot Springs and north of Tassajara Road. Livestock
were once driven down the trail to graze in the pasture's meadowlands, the only place near the hot springs where
grazing grass was available. The Horse Pasture was named for the flat meadows where wranglers used to hold
livestock when stage coaches serviced Tassajara Hot Springs. The property was identified by the Wilderness
Land Trust as a high priority conservation acquisition because of watershed and recreational features, as well as
the potential threat of development of a wilderness retreat.
The process of transferring it to the Forest Service is expected to take several months
been purchased by The Wilderness Land Trust and will be turned over to the U.S. Forest Service to become part
of the Ventana Wilderness.
In partnership with the Big Sur Land Trust, it has purchased the historic Horse Pasture property in the northern
Ventana Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest. Adding the horse pasture will expand the Ventana
Wilderness to 240,184 acres and guarantees that the popular Horse Pasture Trail will remain open for public
enjoyment in perpetuity.
The property is near the trail head just north of Tassajara Hot Springs and north of Tassajara Road. Livestock
were once driven down the trail to graze in the pasture's meadowlands, the only place near the hot springs where
grazing grass was available. The Horse Pasture was named for the flat meadows where wranglers used to hold
livestock when stage coaches serviced Tassajara Hot Springs. The property was identified by the Wilderness
Land Trust as a high priority conservation acquisition because of watershed and recreational features, as well as
the potential threat of development of a wilderness retreat.
The process of transferring it to the Forest Service is expected to take several months
| EMERGENCY INFORMATION |
- In Case of
Emergency Dial
911. - AAA (800) 400-
4222 - Big Sur Health
Center (831) 667-
2580 - Big Sur Ranger
Station (831) 667-
2315 - Community
Hospital of the
Monterey
Peninsula(831)
624-5311
| Bus Service: Monterey-Salinas Transit |
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Day Trip. Pfeiffer State Beach Big Sur. This beach,
not to be confused with Pfeiffer Big Sur or Julia Pfeiffer Burns state parks
(which are nearby), is a break from the rocky coast. A big sand beach in this
area is a rarity. Some stretches of sand are an unusual mauve color. A
beautiful lagoon is rimmed with spectacular rock formations.There's also a
"keyhole" in one of the rocky outcroppings that makes it good for sunset
photos. Unfortunately, we visited in early afternoon. It was quite windy and
we felt sandblasted. Go in early morning or later in the day. No water, food
or other amenities, so bring your own. From Highway 1, take Sycamore
Canyon Road (a right turnoff a quarter-mile south of the Big Sur ranger
station) for two miles to the beach. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; $5 fee. Info: (805)
434-1996, http://www.campone.com .
not to be confused with Pfeiffer Big Sur or Julia Pfeiffer Burns state parks
(which are nearby), is a break from the rocky coast. A big sand beach in this
area is a rarity. Some stretches of sand are an unusual mauve color. A
beautiful lagoon is rimmed with spectacular rock formations.There's also a
"keyhole" in one of the rocky outcroppings that makes it good for sunset
photos. Unfortunately, we visited in early afternoon. It was quite windy and
we felt sandblasted. Go in early morning or later in the day. No water, food
or other amenities, so bring your own. From Highway 1, take Sycamore
Canyon Road (a right turnoff a quarter-mile south of the Big Sur ranger
station) for two miles to the beach. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; $5 fee. Info: (805)
434-1996, http://www.campone.com .
The Los Padres National Forest has acquired 460 acres in Big Sur that
create a 10-mile open space corridor from the crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains to the ocean.The Ventana
Wilderness has never had a link to the coast, at least not by trail.
The land comes in the form of four parcels that are part of the Rancho Calera.The remote cattle ranch about 15
miles south of Carmel was purchased by the Forest Service for $5.1 million. Funding came from the federal Land
and Water Conservation Fund.
Acquisition of the land will create a corridor from the Big Sur coast to the Monterey County’s Mill Creek Reserve
and the Ventana Wilderness. The acquisition will improve public access, protect natural resources and open
space and link wildlife habitats, said John Bradford, Monterey district ranger.The preserve, which is open to
public use by permit only, is six miles inland on Palo Colorado Canyon Road, 11 miles south of Carmel. Ventana
is a 240,000-acre wilderness area within Los Padres National Forest. About half of the national forest's 1.75
million acres sits within 10 wilderness areas.
create a 10-mile open space corridor from the crest of the Santa Lucia Mountains to the ocean.The Ventana
Wilderness has never had a link to the coast, at least not by trail.
The land comes in the form of four parcels that are part of the Rancho Calera.The remote cattle ranch about 15
miles south of Carmel was purchased by the Forest Service for $5.1 million. Funding came from the federal Land
and Water Conservation Fund.
Acquisition of the land will create a corridor from the Big Sur coast to the Monterey County’s Mill Creek Reserve
and the Ventana Wilderness. The acquisition will improve public access, protect natural resources and open
space and link wildlife habitats, said John Bradford, Monterey district ranger.The preserve, which is open to
public use by permit only, is six miles inland on Palo Colorado Canyon Road, 11 miles south of Carmel. Ventana
is a 240,000-acre wilderness area within Los Padres National Forest. About half of the national forest's 1.75
million acres sits within 10 wilderness areas.
"At dawn Big Sur's majesty is almost painful to behold. That
same prehistoric look. The look of always. Nature smiling at
herself in the mirror of eternity." ... Henry Miller
same prehistoric look. The look of always. Nature smiling at
herself in the mirror of eternity." ... Henry Miller
Return
A poem by Robinson Jeffers
A little too abstract, a little too wise,
It is time for us to kiss the earth again,
It is time to let the leaves rain from the skies,
Let the rich life run to the roots again.
I will go to the lovely Sur Rivers
And dip my arms in them up to the shoulders.
I will find my accounting where the alder leaf quivers
In the ocean wind over the river boulders.
I will touch things and things and no more thoughts,
That breed like mouthless May-flies darkening the sky,
The insect clouds that blind our passionate hawks
So that they cannot strike, hardly can fly.
Things are the hawk’s food and noble is the mountain,
Oh noble Pico Blanco, steep sea-wave of marble.
A poem by Robinson Jeffers
A little too abstract, a little too wise,
It is time for us to kiss the earth again,
It is time to let the leaves rain from the skies,
Let the rich life run to the roots again.
I will go to the lovely Sur Rivers
And dip my arms in them up to the shoulders.
I will find my accounting where the alder leaf quivers
In the ocean wind over the river boulders.
I will touch things and things and no more thoughts,
That breed like mouthless May-flies darkening the sky,
The insect clouds that blind our passionate hawks
So that they cannot strike, hardly can fly.
Things are the hawk’s food and noble is the mountain,
Oh noble Pico Blanco, steep sea-wave of marble.