Big Sur, CA
Big Sur, California is one of the world’s most unforgettable stretches of coastline—and for good reason. The scenery is unmatched, and an eclectic vibe flows through the area and permeates Big Sur hotels, shops and restaurants. A table with a view isn’t hard to come by, nor is a sense of well-being. Cliffs, rocks, redwoods and bubbly surf create an epic backdrop for recreation, romance and exploration. A trip to Big Sur is an escape from reality, and an opportunity to unplug and connect with nature.
Milk & Honey Tip
Whales migrate along the Pacific Coast, either heading south to Mexico for warm waters or north to Alaska for cooler ones. It's possible to see the telltale sprays from the highway and sometimes, if you find a good spot and sit for a while, you may even catch them doing their whale acrobatics. There are also dolphins, otters, seals among the kelp.
Eat
Big Sur Road House has breakfast and lunch choices on the river nestled among the redwoods. Stop here if you’re looking for a morning pick-me-up. Big Sur Deli & General Store has sandwiches and snacks you can take away. If you’re looking for sweeping views with your burger and wine, try Nepenthe.
Play
Spend a day driving north to south along Highway 1. Driving the full 76 miles from Bixby Bridge to Hearst Castle with no stops will take about two hours. But you should make stops. One of Big Sur’s most recognizable landmarks, Bixby Bridge is one of the world’s highest single-span bridges. To get the best photos of the bridge, stop on the south side instead of the north. You have to find a small dirt road to the right and drive a little ways up, but it's totally worth it. Some of the best hiking in Big Sur is found at Andrew Molera State Park, which features a few scenic trails of varying lengths for all kinds of hikers. The tides at Jade Cove are known for washing bits of the dark green or black gemstone onto the beach. The best time to find a souvenir of your own is at low tide or after a big storm, but it's probably best not to get your hopes up. There is a gorgeous bluff trail that starts near the southern pullout, directly opposite the Jade Cove sign.
Sleep
Post Ranch Inn [Boutique]
Post Ranch Inn is blessed with one of the most extraordinary locations on the face of the earth, a place of such breathtaking beauty it’s hard to believe it’s even accessible by mere automobile-driving mortals. There are no televisions and no cell phone service here—peace and quiet carry the day. This place is built for relaxation, from the oversized spa tubs and the massage tables in the guest rooms to the infinity pool a thousand feet above the Pacific.
Ventana Big Sur
[Luxury]
At Ventana we find a hotel at peace with its surroundings, very much a part of the Big Sur landscape—the hotel itself comprises some ten or more low wooden structures, hidden around the sprawling 243-acre grounds and connected by winding pathways. But the genius of this place is that beneath its humble surface it delivers all the material comforts of those proud and decadent resorts—from the wood-burning fireplaces, jacuzzi’s and high ceilings of the guest suites to the public spaces like the pools, the Japanese bathhouse, and the Allegria Spa, offering a selection of treatments so comprehensive as to set the head spinning. And the food, of course, is exquisite as well, the Sur House restaurant serving Mediterranean-inflected cuisine against the backdrop of the Pacific and the wide blue sky.
Bernardus Lodge [Luxury]
The hotel is affiliated with the Bernardus winery and vineyard, and is a gourmet's dream, with a first-class restaurant and one of the region's top chefs. The cuisine is California regional; the materials are local game and organic produce, much grown on the resort grounds. The wine list, naturally, is extensive due to the hotel's wine cellar housing more than 25,000 bottles of wine with 1500 labels. And the setting is spectacular, with panoramic views from the outdoor terrace. Though the food and wine are reason enough for many to visit, there are other attractions. Tennis, croquet, and bocce are among the physical activities, and the spa offers splendid inactivity within 5300 square feet housing 7 treatment rooms, with a number of unique treatments, many also served outdoors in the cool and fragrant Pacific breeze.
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