Big Sur Travel Forum

I have in mind to stop in Summer at the Big Sur Park.
1/ First of all, Is it a state park or a national park ?
2/ I saw pictures of ocean coast. I thought the park is mainly known for the red rocks and the trees. I wish more info.
3/ Where is it precisely ?
4/ My search engine did not give me the website of this park. Do you know the address ?
Thanks
RAY

Try this, Ray. It looks like a great website for Big Sur. That area is 90 miles long.. so there's lots to see.

www.jrabold.net/bigsur

1.There are three or four Big Surs people referr to A) A State Park in the Los Padres National Forest--Search for Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Prk or go the the California State Official page. B) Point Sur is a State Historic Park on Hiway 1 about 20 miles south of Carmel. C) The town of Big Sur is near the coast but not on the coast. D) Most people referr to the drive along Hiway 1 from Carmel to Morro Bay as being the Big Sur area.
2. I think of the big trees and the road with its views of the ocean as Big Sur.
3. As mentioned technically about 20 miles south of Carmel on Hiway 1.
4. The official California Site is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=570
5. Have fun and Enjoy

You're talking about the Julia Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park, it's a beautiful area of California, as is the whole coastline from Monterey to Morro Bay. South of the Park about 2 miles is a wonderful Restaurant called Nepenthe with a fantastic view of the coast for 50 miles south. Be sure to stop there.

I found this link at the California Parks site that lists all the state parks along that piece of CA
http://www.parks.ca.gov/parkindex/results.asp?searchtype=1&id=6&searchtext=Central%20Coast

Here are some sites to review before your travel..

http://travel.yahoo.com/p/travelguide/474122

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/

Keep in mind that summer is THE top season for Carmel, Montery, Big Sur etc...You may find Hyw 1 quite crowded with people more intent on looking at the scenery than the road ahead of them. (they tend not to stop and get out of the way, just drive slow in front of everyone.)

AS one of the sites indicate...there is not much to do other than hike and look at the scenery, but it is breathtaking especially at sunset.

Referring back to my previous post about Big Sur and the restaurant Nepenthe, you might be interested to know that as the story goes, it was first owned in the early 1940's by Orson Welles and his then-current lover, Rita Hayworth, but they never lived there. It was sold to the Fasset Family who have owned it ever since.

By the way, if you plan to drive south past San Simeon on Highway 1, consider stopping at Hearst's Castle. It is an amazing historical residence, well worth the time it takes to have the tour.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a beautiful state park with 950 acres of redwoods, conifers, oaks, and open meadows.There are 218 wooded campsites near the Big Sur river. This state park is located about 26 miles south of Carmel and Monterey on Highway 1. This is in some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. The drive along Highway 1 is SPECTACULAR!!! You can go hiking in the park and you can venture out to other places to explore, such as hiking down to the ocean. Drive up to Monterey just north of Carmel and take in the acquarium on the Historic Cannery row area of the town, look out into the ocean for seals and otters. Drive 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park where its 3,580 acres encompass some of Big Sur's most spectacular coastline. At one look out point you will view an 80 foot waterfall that tumbles right down to the beach (or ocean depending on the tide). Note that Julia Pfeiffer does not have a campground. Point Lobos State Reserve is another interesting place near Carmel that you may wish to visit. If you love nature you will really enjoy this area. I also loved Monterey--they have a farmers market once a week, I think it was on Tuesdays. This area of the country is one of my favorite places. We stayed in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for over a week, and I would love to go back and spend two weeks next time. GO !! Take lots of FILM!! The California State Parks web site is www.parks.ca.gov for camping reservations call Reserve America at 1-800-444-7275.