DISCOVER
BIG SUR CALIFORNIA

© Caitlin MacBride

If you want more words than that, I would 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!"

What's So Quirky About Big Sur California?

• For one thing, it isn't any one place. Yes, there's a town of sorts called Big Sur, and there's a river by the same name, and there's even the Big Sur River Valley.

© Kevin Connors

• But Big Sur California is actually 90 miles of coastline, defined in the north by the Carmel Highlands, and in the south by the Monterey County border.


• And it wasn't until 1937 - when Highway 1 was finally completed - that the area was opened up to people who weren't adventurous enough to travel across country on horseback.
• Which contributed, at least in part, to Big Sur's Quirkiness - it was so isolated and pristine for so long that the people who did come were rugged individualists who tended to appreciate Big Sur's solitude and who saw good reason to allow Big Sur to keep its inherent nature.

Where Did The Quirk Come From?

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 the "White man" showed up . . .

  Big Sur hotels Check-in: Check-out: Guests: 123 Rooms: 123 Search see all Big Sur hotels

• 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.

BUT BIG SUR CALIFORNIA IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST QUIRKY!

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

© 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 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's A Look At Some Of The Things You Can Do 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."

• 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.
• 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 & Spa; 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!

DID I MENTION NUDE BEACHES?

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 . . .

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

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