Big Sur isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience.
The kind where you lose track of time, forget about your inbox, and fall in love with life (and your person) all over again.
If you’re planning a romantic getaway, this is where you want to be.
Think cozy cabins, secret beaches, cliffside hot springs, and some of the most insane sunsets you’ll ever see.
Here’s how to do Big Sur right—with all the insider tips to make it effortless.
1. Stay Somewhere That Feels Like a Dream
Your stay in Big Sur isn’t just about having a place to sleep—it’s about setting the whole vibe of the trip.
- Post Ranch Inn – This is the dream. It’s adults-only, ultra-luxurious, and perched on a cliff with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. There are no TVs, no clocks, and no bad angles. Just you, your person, and an infinity pool that looks like it’s spilling into the Pacific. Pro tip: If staying here isn’t in the budget, book dinner at their restaurant Sierra Mar to get a taste of the experience (and the view).
- Glen Oaks Big Sur – If a modern-rustic cabin tucked in the redwoods sounds more like your style, this place is pure magic. Heated floors, outdoor fire pits, and total seclusion. The lack of WiFi means no distractions—just you two, a bottle of wine, and the sound of the forest.
- Treebones Resort – For something totally different, book a yurt or their famous “human nest”, where you’ll wake up with the Pacific stretched out in front of you. Pro tip: The best yurts book out months in advance, so don’t wait too long to snag one.
🚗 Getting there tip: Highway 1 is currently closed south of Big Sur, so you’ll need to enter from the north. If you were planning to continue your road trip down the coast, you’ll have to turn back after McWay Falls.
2. Watch the Sunset at Pfeiffer Beach
This isn’t just a beach—it’s one of the most unique beaches in California. The sand has natural streaks of purple, thanks to the surrounding manganese-rich cliffs, and it’s even more vibrant after it rains. Then there’s Keyhole Rock, the massive stone arch that sits just offshore. If you time it right in winter, the sun sets directly through the arch, lighting it up like something out of a dream.
💡 Insider Tips:
- It’s hard to find – The entrance is Sycamore Canyon Road, an unmarked, narrow, winding path off Highway 1.
- There’s a $15 fee, and parking is limited—once it fills up, rangers turn people away. Arrive before 4 PM for sunset.
- The waves here are powerful—no swimming, just admiring.
3. Pack a Picnic and Find a Private Spot with a View
Forget a stuffy indoor restaurant—grab a picnic and find a clifftop, a hidden beach, or a redwood grove to enjoy it instead.
- Garrapata State Park – A wild, rugged stretch of coastline with hidden ocean cliffs perfect for setting up a blanket. It’s never crowded, and the views? Unreal.
- Sand Dollar Beach – Big Sur’s widest beach, where you can walk along the shore after eating. Pro tip: Bring a kite or just stretch out and soak up the sound of the waves.
- Limekiln State Park – A secluded spot with both redwoods and ocean access. Heads up: The trail to Limekiln Falls is closed, so you won’t be able to picnic by the waterfall.
🥖 Where to grab picnic supplies:
- COAST Big Sur – The best spot for gourmet sandwiches, wine, and pastries. Their outdoor seating is a vibe, but taking food to-go is the move.
- Big Sur Deli – A no-frills but solid option for sandwiches if you want something quick.
4. Soak in a Hot Spring on a Cliff at 2 AM
If there’s one thing you cannot miss, it’s this. The Esalen Hot Springs sit right on a cliff above the ocean, and from 1 AM to 3 AM, they open to non-guests for the most peaceful, surreal soak of your life. The sound of crashing waves, the steam rising into the night air, the stars overhead—it’s magic.
💦 What to Know Before You Go:
- You HAVE to book in advance – No walk-ins allowed.
- It’s clothing-optional – No pressure, just a heads-up.
- Bring your own towel – Esalen doesn’t provide them for night bathers.
- Highway 1 access is only open from the north, so plan accordingly.
5. Take the Most Scenic Drive of Your Life
Highway 1 through Big Sur is legendary, and the key is to take it slow. Roll down the windows, blast your favorite playlist, and make these stops:
- Bixby Bridge – One of the most photographed spots in California. Pull over at the north end for the best angle.
- McWay Falls – A waterfall that spills straight onto the beach—no hiking required. But hurry—this viewpoint will close for renovations starting April 2025!
- Point Sur Lighthouse – The only way to visit is on a guided tour (offered Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays). It’s eerie in the best way.
🚗 Road update: Highway 1 is closed south of McWay Falls. You’ll need to turn around after that.
6. Stargaze Where the Sky Feels Endless
Big Sur has zero light pollution, which means you can see the Milky Way with your bare eyes.
✨ Best Spots for Stargazing:
- Pfeiffer Beach – The open coastline makes for uninterrupted sky views.
- Andrew Molera State Park – Less crowded, and the expansive meadows make for a perfect viewing spot.
7. Hike to a Secret Cove
Want to feel like you’ve discovered something no one else knows about? Hike to Partington Cove, a hidden ocean inlet reached via a tunnel under Highway 1. The whole thing is less than a mile round trip, and once you get there, it feels like a different world.
8. End the Day with a Dinner You’ll Never Forget
Big Sur doesn’t have a lot of restaurants, but the ones it does have are 100% worth it.
- Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn – Just reopened, and it’s an absolute must if you can get a reservation. The views? Unreal. The wine list? Legendary.
- Nepenthe – The classic Big Sur spot, perched on a cliff with a sunset view that will ruin all other sunset views.
- COAST Big Sur – Low-key but stylish, with great coffee, wine, and pastries.
🚨 Update: Big Sur Bakery burned down in 2024 and is currently closed, so if you were hoping for their wood-fired pizzas, you’ll have to wait and see if they rebuild.
Big Sur Is the Kind of Place You Never Forget
Maybe it’s the way the mist rolls in over the cliffs. Maybe it’s the way the waves crash against the rocks with that perfectrhythm. Maybe it’s the fact that, for once, you’re not thinking about your phone, your emails, or what’s next. You’re just here—in this wild, untamed, breathtaking place, sharing it with someone who makes it even better.
And trust me, once you leave, you’ll already be planning when you can come back.
