DISCOVER
BIG SUR CALIFORNIA

How, then, would I describe Big Sur California's character? In a
word, I think quirky should just about cover it!

If you want more words than that, I'd have to say, It's an appealing amalgamation of the Bohemian, Hippie, and New Age Countercultures with some subsequent and recent Gentrification thrown in for good measure. On second thought, let's stick with quirky!

Find the best prices on Big Sur hotels at HotelsCombined:

Big Sur Foggy Coastline; © Kevin Connors

Where Did The Quirk Originate?

Big Sur California's character and personality have evolved over the last 100 years through the eclectic mixing of the different peoples who have called it home:

• Descendants of the original inhabitants - the Ohlone Indians
  lived in the area, sustained by the land and the sea, for thousands of years before Europeans showed up...

• Descendants of the original Hispanic and White settlers - homesteaders, farmers, ranchers...
• Poets, writers, and artists - all
  of whom contributed the Bohemian, Hippie, and New Age elements...
• Film people who - over the years - came to shoot a few scenes and decided to stay for awhile...
• The New Agers who discovered
  the perfect setting and background for
  their philosophies in the 1960s...
• And, today we have some of the wealthiest members of the entertainment and business industries making their mark on the community with fancy homes priced at over $2 million - thus providing some of the Gentrification I mentioned earlier.

It's also dramatic, picturesque, breathtaking, charming, and fun!

Bixby Creek Bridge; © Sashi Ono

Rising dramatically
from the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Lucia Mountains offer spectacular views.

Just make sure you're not the one driving while you're doing the viewing, if you see what I mean!

Big Sur California is about Beaches and State Parks, lodging that
ranges from primitive walk-in campgrounds to historic rustic cabins to five-star resorts.

It's about art galleries and wildlife and the Esalen Institute.

Here Are Some Things You Might Appreciate In Big Sur California

• Enjoy the ocean - there are beaches, hikes, whales, sea otters, and the Point Sur Light Station that stands guard over the Graveyard of the Pacific.

Sea Otter; © Kevin Connors

• Discover the urbanization of Big Sur. There are no
  department or chain stores, no gaudy tourist traps, but you'll find Nepenthe for lunch or dinner; or the Hawthorne Gallery for art; or the Henry Miller Memorial Library for edification.
• Explore the State Parks - there are two that are named after members of the Pfeiffer family, early homesteaders in the area.
• Big Sur Camping is a huge draw for a lot of people.
• Visit the sites of pioneer homes at Andrew Molera State Park
  and Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park.
• Hike the Ventana Wilderness.
• Tubing on the Big Sur River!
• If you're an experienced scuba diver, you may be able to dive the Julia Pfeiffer Burns Underwater Area, or dive for Jade at Jade Cove; or there are many sites to Surf - in either case, bring your wetsuit!
• Find the only California waterfall that drops into the Pacific Ocean (at least - it does at high tide).
• Enjoy a retreat at the Esalen Institute with seminars and workshops; or simply make a reservation to utilize the healing powers of the newly refurbished Hot Springs and Baths (if you don't mind going between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. - the good news is it only costs $20).
• Have an award-winning bottle of wine from the Cellar at Post Ranch Inn or from Ventana Inn; stay and order a gourmet dinner as well.
• Shop at the Phoenix Shop for unique clothing, books, crafts, art, and jewelry. Or there's Big Sur Garden Gallery, featuring locally produced items as well as exotic gifts from the rest of the world, or Big Sur Spirit Garden, or Chappelet Studios - the list goes on.
• And there's kayaking, fishing, California Condors...

You're not likely to run out of things to do!

And if you're wondering about the effects of the fires from a couple
of years ago, see Comments for Big Sur after the Fires.

Looks like we're back at quirky again!

Now, I don't want you to think I'm advocating one way or another about Nude Beaches - that's a strictly personal decision.

But, having inadvertently and quite innocently stumbled upon a
nude beach while beach combing with our two sons who were 6 and 11 at the time, and having beat a hasty retreat with said sons in tow...

Now I'm a Third-Generation Californian and have lived most of my
life in California. If I didn't know about the Nude Beaches, how would you know?

And a little Sidebar: There are no official nude beaches in California. But in California, we tend to live and let live until someone complains.

So I will try to give you fair warning when there's a nude beach and you can decide for yourself whether to seek it out or avoid it.

While you're planning your trip to Big Sur, be sure to check HotelsCombined for the best hotel pricing:

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