Bixby Bridge
STAY
Clothing optional pool at Ventana Inn
Post Ranch Inn
Private hot tub at Ventana Inn
High-End
The primo spot in Big Sur with spectacular views and cottages built into the landscape so you can almost miss them. Staying here will cost you a small fortune so making a dinner reservation or coming for a sunset drink is an ideal way to experience the beauty of this place at a way lower price. There are also spectacular gardens and a very amazing treehouse nest but there are only open to guests. Hotel is adults only.
Incredibly tasteful spot with several pools including a hot Japanese style pool as well as a clothing optional pool. Some of the rooms also have private hot tubs. The 10 minute walk through redwoods to the restaurant is so peaceful and you often can spot deer there. The restaurant is worth visiting for a nice meal out. There is also glamping at a high price with shared bathrooms and no access to the resort facilities. This hotel slightly less expensive than Post Ranch Inn and is also adults-only.
Mid-Range
If you want a cabin experience but aren’t into roughing it or breaking the bank this is a great choice. All the cabins vary but some have fireplaces and outdoor tubs. There’s also a redone motor lodge but spring for a cabin if possible for more privacy and nature. Kids are allowed, infants allowed in certain standalone cabins.
Budget
If you want to be one step above camping, Ripplewood offers no-frills cabins in a tree-filled grove. Call to make sure you don’t get a cabin near the highway or even better request one overlooking the creek.
Specialty Lodging
Esalen Institute only offers accommodations to people participating in their workshops but there are some spectacular cabins here with ocean views and communal dining using farm ingredients grown on property. Some all-inclusive Monday through Friday stays are called “Time To Reflect” where it’s basically unstructured time at the property costing from $4500-$9000.
EAT & DRINK
The food in Big Sur is generally overpriced so if you have a kitchen in your cabin try to make as much use of it as possible.
Fine dining restaurant at Ventana Big Sur, mentioned above. Worth it for a splurge fancy meal.
Even fancier than The Sur House, this is located at The Post Ranch Inn and is definitely worth visiting for a sunset cocktail as the views are fabulous.
The only restaurant here with an ocean view not connected to a hotel. Get here early and expect a wait.
A great spot for your morning coffee/pastry run as well as lunch and dinner featuring local ingredients. A favorite for locals as well.
The restaurant at Glen Oaks offering homey comfort food like burgers and biscuits.
Restaurant at Ventana Inn
Restaurant at Ventana Inn
Off the PCH
Pfeiffer Falls
Pfeiffer Beach
DO
I recommend stopping in at the visitor center for a current trail map and chat with a friendly ranger on hikes that would suit you best. Here are the hikes and sites that are not to be missed. I also recommend this hiking book.
Pfeiffer Falls
This is the photo you’ve seen a million times of Big Sur with the perfect waterfall on the beach. If you want to play with your long exposure waterfall skills bring your tripod and ND filter and come in the late afternoon or early evening.
Pfeiffer Beach
Yes everything is called Pfeiffer here and is a bit confusing. This is the other quintessential Big Sur photo and another good place to bring your tripod for a long exposure of the ocean waves crashing through the perfectly cut doorway in the ocean. You can also spot purple sand here as you gaze at nature’s archway.
Esalen Hot Springs
There are three ways you can visit the cliffside ocean-view nude hot springs at Esalen: 1) Stay at Esalen by doing a workshop, 2) Book a massage, 3) Come between 1am and 3am (reserve in advance). If you go the massage route expect it to be pricey and request a private room if possible. Also, try to get the latest appt possible as sunset is a beautiful time for a soak here. BYO-Towel and wear a dark colored suit you don’t care about because the natural springs smell like sulphur.
Point Lobos
Right before Carmel, a great spot for hiking trails along the ocean where you can spot sea otters and seals.
Bixby Bridge
Iconic bridge worth a stop on the north side looking back toward Big Sur.
How I Got That Shot (x2)
Hot springs at Esalen at night.
Nightshots
You can read more about how I do nightshots here. Having water pass over rocks is a great way to get that creamy ocean look. Keep your exposure to a minimum of 30 seconds.
Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 24-105mm f/4 lens, Focal length 24mm, ISO125 f/8 at 4 minutes
“God Rays”
Capturing what I like to call “God Rays” requires a bit of luck. Imagine a going to a concert where you see those cool lights streaming on stage - how that works is by combining light with a smoke machine. “God Rays” are the same - it’s fog combined with strong light low in the sky. The best time of day to try to capture this is very early in the morning before the fog has burned off and the sun is trying to break through. What’s also important here is to make sure you don’t blow out the highlights and lose that information. When in doubt, bracket your shots. This was shot on film which tends to have a more forgiving latitude than digital.
I don’t remember my settings but it was shot on my trusty Pentax 67II
Organic farming student at sunrise at Esalen