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!”

McWay Falls, one of the most famous images of California & Big Sur.

 20 Photos to Inspire Your Big Sur Trip!

If any photo strikes your fancy, simply click on it, & you’ll be able to search hotels in that specific area.

World-famous Bixby Bridge, on the road from Carmel to Big Sur.

Another angle of McWay Falls, in Julia Pheiffer State Park.

 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.

My dog, Dylan, admiring the view on Highway 46, near San Simeon.

Highway 46 is less well-known than Highway One, but equally gorgeous ~ especially at sunset.

The “Lone Cypress,” found north of Big Sur, along the 17-Mile Drive.

 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.

Pacific Grove, California.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, from above.

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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