Limekiln State Park (2 miles south of Lucia on Highway 1) is a particularly great spot for walking in the redwoods. You’ll find a stand of them at Pfieffer Big Sur near the entrance to the park and the lodge stretching to Pfieffer Falls. The coastal redwoods here in Big Sur are the very same old-growth redwoods you can see in Northern California in, for example, Muir Woods. Note: Watch out for poison oak here! It’s all over Big Sur but can be particularly prevalent here.

(It’s also a great place for hiking as a beginner.) Look for skunks, black-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bobcats here. If you’re not camping, Pfieffer Big Sur is still a great place for hiking, biking, and swimming in the Big Sur River. You’ll need to show up in person at 8 am the day you want to reserve, however. There are also cabins available to rent.Īs a last resort, you can check for same-day availability due to cancellations (known as “walk-up campsites). Pfieffer Big Sur, located 26 miles south of Carmel, is a great place to camp! It’s also extremely popular so plan ahead or prepare to be disappointed.Īll campsites are reserved six months ahead of time. View from Garrapata State Park Bluff Trail 9. While you can park on the side of Highway 1 if the lot is full, you’ll have a long walk to arrive at a trailhead near the scenic coast. Or ride your bike on the paved trail as we did and then lock it when you head out on a hike. Head to Point Lobos early to avoid crowds and find parking ($10). Popular day hikes here include the Point Lobos Loop Trail (easy 6.7 miles), the South Plateau Trail to Bird Island (moderate, 1.6 miles), and the Point Lobos South Shore Trail (easy, 1.6 miles). Even Orca whales make it a point to stop here when they’re migrating south between December to April.

Located just south of Carmel, it’s easy to bicycle to Point Lobos if you’re staying in Carmel, as we did on our most recent visit.Īs the “crown jewel” of California’s 280 parks statewide, Point Lobos is a nature reserve with unique and unparalleled beauty…and lots of wildlife!Īs one of the richest marine habitats in the world, you’ll spot sea lions, otters, and elephant seals. In fact, epic parks like these are one of the things California is known for! Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a real Big Sur highlight and one of my favorite spots for a beautiful day hike. Enjoy the Viewpoints at Garrapata State Park Do the World-Famous 17-mile drive by Pebble Beach.

Big sur scenery