A few weeks ago, my family and I went to Big Sur to celebrate my dad’s birthday. Although Big Sur is close to Carmel/Monterey (where we visit frequently), I have not spent much time here. It is such a beautiful destination and one I highly recommend for a quick weekend trip! Looking at these photos makes me want to head back asap!
Day 1
We drove down on a Friday afternoon and arrived at Big Sur Campground and Cabins, where we were staying. We checked in and got settled – we had a cute lofted cabin with 3 beds, a small living room, and a kitchen, which we used on the first night. It was cozy for the four of us but had all the space we really needed. This was the only place I have stayed at in Big Sur so I can’t personally recommend any other spots. If you are looking for another option, I have heard great things about Deetjen’s. Apparently they have a nice restaurant too!
Day 2
The next morning, we got a fairly early start and headed out on a hike. We went to Pfeiffer State Park and hiked the Mount Manuel Trail. This was our first time doing the hike and while the views were nice, I honestly wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who has a fear of heights. For most of the hike, you walk along a narrow trail on the side of the mountain with steep drop offs. It’s a pretty intense hike up and as you get closer to the top, the hike starts to become a bit more technical. I am very afraid of heights and I was not the biggest fan! However, if you don’t have an issue with heights, you will likely really enjoy it.
Although the hike itself wasn’t my cup of tea, I did enjoy the views and the many beautiful wildflowers that we got to see!
After the hike, we went back to the cabin to get ready for dinner. We had made reservations at Nepenthe, which is a casual restaurant on the cliffside with great coastal views. We arrived early so we could grab a drink before dinner. It seems everyone else had the same idea as it was very crowded! It’s a popular spot (especially around sunset), so make sure you come early to grab a table! We really enjoyed our meal and I would definitely go back.
Day 3
On our last day, we had a lazy morning relaxing at the cabin and walking around the property. We checked out the other cabins, the camp sites, and the nearby river. Then all too soon, it was time to pack up and head out.
On the way home, we stopped at a few turnouts to check out the gorgeous coastal views and snap a few pictures. And, of course, we had to hit up Bixby Bridge – it wouldn’t be a Big Sur trip without at least one photo of it! It was super crowded, but we were able to take a few quick photos before we were on our way back home.
It was a short trip but we had such a great time! It’s always nice to spend time with the family. If you’ve never been to Big Sur, you should definitely add it to your list!
