What are the best things to do in Big Sur?
Top picks in Big Sur include Garrapata State Park, Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. See the full list and itinerary on this Big Sur travel guide.
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Big Sur Travel Guide
Big Sur, United States
Photo: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why visit Big Sur
Travel guide for Big Sur, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Big Sur is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Garrapata State Park, Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Big Sur
1
Garrapata State Park
2
Bixby Bridge
3
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
4
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
5
Pfeiffer Beach
6
Andrew Molera State Park
7
Sand Dollar Beach
Budget travel
Free things to do in Big Sur
Garrapata State Park
Bixby Bridge
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Pfeiffer Beach
Andrew Molera State Park
Sand Dollar Beach
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Big Sur itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Garrapata State Park
- Visit Bixby Bridge
- Visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Eat at Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- Visit Pfeiffer Beach
- Visit Andrew Molera State Park
- Eat at Nepenthe
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Sand Dollar Beach
- Eat at Whale Watchers Cafe
Budget
Big Sur trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Big Sur, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Big Sur
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Big Sur mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant
Nepenthe
Whale Watchers Cafe
Sierra Mar
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Big Sur Lodge
Big Sur River Inn
Deetjens Big Sur Inn
Fernwood Resort
Gorda Springs Resort
Shopping
- Big Sur Spirit Garden
- Hawthorne Gallery
- Heartbeat Gift Gallery
- Local Color
- Post Ranch Mercantile
In pictures
Big Sur gallery
Photos: Diliff, John Wiley User:Jw4nvc - Santa Barbara, California, Roger469, Gordon F. Smith' partents, Joseph Plotz, United States Forest Service — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Big Sur travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Big Sur?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Big Sur?
Plan at least 3 days in Big Sur for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Big Sur?
Popular stays in Big Sur include Big Sur Lodge, Big Sur River Inn, Deetjens Big Sur Inn. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Big Sur cost?
On the ground in Big Sur (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Big Sur, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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