"Coastline along beautiful Big Sur" Big Sur by Ewingjr98

Looking south from the Bixby Bridge

A vague geographical area along California's Pacific Coast, the Big Sur area runs roughly from the Carmel Highlands south along the coast to San Simeon. This coastal expanse stretches about 90 miles north-south and maybe 20 miles east-west, and really the only town is the village of Big Sur, which seems to exist just for tourists, artists, and hippies. The entire area is very sparsely populated and is home to various parks offering a variety of recreation activities; these parks include Los Padres National Forest, Pfeiffer State Park, Point Lobos State Reserve, Garrapata State Park, Point Sur Lightstation State Historic Park, and others. Perhaps the most popular activity in this area is just driving along Highway 1 which hugs the Santa Lucia Mountains on steep cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. One of the favorite stops along the route is the Bixby Bridge, a concrete arch built in 1933.

Webcam view of the Big Sur area.

I have visited Big Sur on numerous occasions, both driving tours and hiking various parks, particularly Point Lobos and Julie Pfeiffer Burns State Parks. On recent visits I have discovered the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road that leads from the middle of Big Sur toward Jolon through Fort Hunter Liggett. I have also been fortunate enough to see the southern reaches of the Big Sur coastline including the elephant seals and Hearst Castle near San Simeon.