20 Photos to Inspire Your Big Sur Trip!
One of the best road trips ever can be found in California: if you start in L.A., & head north up the 101, you’ll eventually land right near the ocean, on iconic Highway One. The route between Santa Barbara, ending up in Big Sur, Carmel, & the Monterey Peninsula (also home to the 17-Mile Drive) ~ is quite possibly my favorite drive in the world. It’s just you, the open road, & views so gorgeous, you’ll want to pull over every chance you get. To get you in the mood, here are “20 Photos to Inspire Your Big Sur Trip!”
20 Photos to Inspire Your Big Sur Trip!
It’s impossible to go wrong either south or north of Big Sur. To the south, you’ve got winding highway through Gorda & Ragged Point (both of which, at the time of writing, have been closed for several months due to landslides). You’ll eventually drop you into San Simeon, the home of Hearst Castle. To the north, you’ve got the legendary Monterey Peninsula ~ home to Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, & as much golf as you can possibly handle. There’s a wide diversity of accommodations in the Monterey area, from motels to world-class resorts, like the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
20 Photos to Inspire Your Big Sur Trip!

If you’re in the area, a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must ~ especially if you have kids.

Carmel’s Main Beach is one of the most dog-friendly beaches in the world. And one of the prettiest, with its cresent-shape, & Pebble Beach Golf Course to the right.
20 Photos to Inspire Your Big Sur Trip
Note for the Reader: Highway One has been closed between Ragged Point & Gorda for many months due to landslides; the damage was enormous. This stretch should be open by late July 2018 ~ but be sure to check before visiting. When I visited in June 2018, the road was closed ~ meaning the only way in & out of Big Sur was from the north. Thanks for reading “20 Photos to Inspire Your Big Sur Trip,” & tell me ~ what’s your favorite stretch of coastline along Highway One in California?
Happy Adventuring!
xoxo Noelia
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Stunning photos here! Big Sur is a bucket list destination, for sure. My favorite place along California’s Highway One is actually north of Bodega Bay, heading up towards Mendocino. Absolutely gorgeous!
Amazing photos! I swear I live about 20 minutes from Big Sur and never take full advantage of it. Thanks for sharing (and for inspiring my next weekend trip!)
Thanks, Kelsey! You are so lucky to live there! Big Sur & the entire Monterey Peninsula is one of my favorite places in the WORLD! Happy exploring! xoxo Noelia