helpful tips when visiting big sur

Big Sur has become a popular destination and is on many bucket lists. It’s beauty is dramatic and pristine. With more and more tourists, it’s fragile environment is at risk…so much so that there is a Big Sur Pledge which I highly recommend taking. We are all stewards of this magnificent place and it is sad to see people disregard the rules either blatantly or unknowingly. After reading and taking the pledge, here are a few tips that I’ve found to be helpful…

1. Please heed safety guidelines when posted. If a trail is marked closed, there is a good reason. Closed trails are not maintained and with the proliferation of poison oak (it is everywhere!) you are just asking for trouble.

2. Fire is an ever present danger in California, and especially in places like Big Sur where there is so much wilderness. Use only designated campsites, obtain any necessary permits, and heed fire safety rules. In 2016, the Soberanes Fire devastated over 100,000 acres of Big Sur. It was started by an illegal campfire in Garrapata State Park.

Big Sur has an amazing volunteer Fire Brigade, some of who I’m privileged to know personally. They are charged with keeping over 65 miles of Big Sur safe from fire. Additionally, they are often the first on the scene of car or motorcycle accidents and rescuing hikers. The kicker? There are only 21 of them! These men and women are truly amazing so please, let’s not make their job any more difficult than it already is!

3. Summer brings large crowds to Big Sur and with that, a whole lot of traffic on the winding and narrow Highway 1. Please be mindful that there are people who live and work in Big Sur. It is hard to believe, but the speed limit is 55 unless posted around bends. That will seem excessive to most as the road is a series of hairpin twists and turns. On the other end of the spectrum is the nervous driver who is going 25. This is just as problematic as it leads to people trying to pass in no passing zones.

All of this is easily avoided by simply pulling off at one of the many turn outs and letting traffic by. The rule is if you have 5 cars or more behind you, you must pull off the road when safe to do so. And please watch out for bicyclists! The road leaves very little room for them so take extra care when passing.

4. Weather in Big Sur can be unpredictable. One day can be thick with fog (summer can be particularly foggy), and the next a hot 85 degrees. Pack and be prepared for anything!

5. There is very limited cell phone service in Big Sur. Plan accordingly. WiFi is almost non existent…the restaurants and even some of the hotels lack internet access. It’s part of Big Sur’s charm to disconnect. 🙂

6. While there are a few restaurants and small convenience type stores, the nearest proper grocery, hardware, or drug stores are in Carmel about 1-2 hours away.

7. Gas is limited to only a few places and as one can imagine, is expensive. It was close to $6.00 a gallon for regular last time I was there and will probably rise in summer. So, try and fill up beforehand if possible!

8. Lastly, enjoy the majesty of Big Sur and leave it as unspoiled as you found it so that others may experience the wonder and beauty of this place.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments below. As someone who has visited this place for years and now is fortunate enough to have a home here, I want to do my part in keeping Big Sur beautiful for generations to come.

An invaluable resource for me has been Big Sur Kate’s blog. She has a visitor’s guide, news, and events listed on her site. So much helpful information in one place! You can also check out Big Sur Visitor’s Guide for info on additional topics.