667-2422 (tent: $30–50/night for 2 people; $5 for each additional person up to 6; RV: $35–50/night). This campground offers 60 sites, showers, a restaurant, bar, and general store.
PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK 26 miles south of Carmel, (800) 444-7275, parks.ca.gov (218 sites, $35/standard site, $45/river site, $150/group site; reservations recommended). Along the Big Sur River, this 1006-acre park offers showers, Wi-Fi, and swimming.
VENTANA CAMPGROUND 30 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2712, ventanacampground.com (80 sites, $27–55/night prior to closure in 2008; will reopen summer 2013). Nestled in a redwood grove in Post Canyon, this rustic campground provides electricity and showers.
JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK 37 miles south of Carmel, (800) 444-7275, parks.ca.gov (2 tent-only sites, $30/night; reservations highly recommended). Near the trail to 100-foot McWay Falls, these primitive hike-in campsites are in high demand. Restrooms and water at the parking lot.
KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND 54 miles south of Carmel and 40 miles north of San Simeon, (805) 434-1996, campone.com/campsites/kirk-creek (34 sites, $22/night; reservations recommended). This campground offers magnificent views of the Big Sur coast and a short trail to the beach.
LIMEKILN STATE PARK 56 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2403, parks.ca.gov (33 sites, $35/night; reservations recommended in summer and on holidays). At the mouth of Limekiln Creek, this campground amid the redwoods offers developed sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Some sites accommodate RVs and trailers. There are showers, picnic areas, and flush toilets.
PLASKETT CREEK CAMPGROUND 59 miles south of Carmel and 35 miles north of San Simeon, (805) 434-1996, recreation.gov (41 sites, $22/night; 3 group sites, $80/night; reservations recommended spring–fall and on holidays). This campground offers a parklike setting under the canopy of large pines and cypress a short walk from Sand Dollar Beach and Jade Cove.
TREEBONES RESORT 37 miles south of Big Sur and 23 miles north of San Simeon, (877) 424-4787, treebonesresort.com (campsite: $90/night; yurt: $215–400/night). There are 16 canvas-covered yurts, along with ocean-view campsites and the Wild Coast Restaurant and Sushi Bar, which focuses on sustainably harvested local food. No children under age 6 allowed.
SAN SIMEON CREEK CAMPGROUND Within San Simeon State Park, 5 miles south of San Simeon, (800) 444-7275, parks.ca.gov (134 sites, $35/night; reservations recommended in summer; first come, first served October 1–March 14). On a plateau overlooking the Pacific, this campground includes showers and RV sites (no hookups).
WASHBURN CAMPGROUND Within San Simeon State Park, 5 miles south of San Simeon, (800) 444-7275, parks.ca.gov (68 sites, $22/night; reservations recommended in summer; no showers). This campground lies a mile inland on a plateau overlooking the Santa Lucia Range.
Restaurants & Cafés
ROCKY POINT RESTAURANT 10 miles south of Carmel, (831) 624-2933, rockypointrestaurant.com. Promises spectacular coastal views from all tables.
BIG SUR RIVER INN 24 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2700 or (800) 548-3610, bigsurriverinn.com. Offers patio and indoor dining on the banks of the Big Sur River. Live entertainment on Sunday afternoons.
BIG SUR VILLAGE PUB 24 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2355. In the Village Shops, the pub features specialty beers and a pub-style menu.
REDWOOD GRILL 25 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2129, fernwoodbigsur.com. Serving buffalo burgers, salmon burgers, hamburgers, and veggie burgers in the shade of redwoods.
BIG SUR LODGE RESTAURANT & ESPRESSO HOUSE 26 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-3100, bigsurlodge.com. Indoor and patio dining beneath the redwoods along the Big Sur River.
BIG SUR DELI 27 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2225, bigsurdeli.com. Known for reasonable prices, Big Sur Deli offers sandwiches, tacos, salads, and desserts at the deli, as well as groceries, camping supplies, and a gift shop.
BIG SUR BAKERY & RESTAURANT 28 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-0520, bigsurbakery.com. Fresh pastries, breads, and pizza baked daily in a wood-fire oven, with sweeping views of the Big Sur River gorge.
CIELO 28 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2331 or (800) 628-6500, ventanainn.com. At Ventana Inn, this restaurant offers elegant dining, seasonal ingredients, and 50-mile vistas from the outdoor terrace.
SIERRA MAR RESTAURANT 28 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2800, postranchinn.com. At Post Ranch, this restaurant offers gourmet and eclectic California cuisine with a spectacular ocean view. Reservations required.
NEPENTHE 29 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2345, nepenthebigsur.com. Elegant dining in a rustic setting that overlooks 40 miles of incredibly scenic coastline.
CAFÉ KEVAH 29 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2344, nepenthebigsur.com. Just below Nepenthe, this café offers brunch and lunch on an outdoor terrace.
WILD COAST RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR At Treebones Resort, 37 miles south of Big Sur and 23 miles north of San Simeon, (831) 877) 424-4787, treebonesresort.com. Along with yurts and campsites, Treebones Resort features the Wild Coast Restaurant and Sushi Bar, which focuses on sustainably harvested local food.
WHALE WATCHER CAFE 25 miles north of Hearst Castle and 69 miles south of Carmel, (805) 927-1590, gordaspringsresort.com. At Gorda Springs Resort, this restaurant offers California cuisine and delicious homemade desserts, with spectacular ocean views.
RAGGED POINT RESTAURANT 14 miles north of Hearst Castle and 80 miles south of Carmel, (805) 927-5708, raggedpointinn.net. California cuisine, with ocean and mountain views.
Art Galleries
HEARTBEAT GIFT GALLERY 24 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-2557, heartbeatbigsur.com. Adjacent to the Big Sur River Inn, this gallery offers art, jewelry, and collectibles from local artists and from around the world.
LOCAL COLOR 24 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-0481, bigsurlocalcolor.com. Home to the Central Coast Artisan Gallery, where talented local artists display handmade goods.
STUDIO ONE 24 miles south of Carmel, (831) 667-1530. Owned by the Big Sur Arts Initiative, a local nonprofit arts enrichment organization. In addition to the gallery, the initiative provides teaching space for art classes,
