When it rains, the rocks pour in Big Sur. In 2011 after a rainy winter season with above average rainfall coastal Highway 1 was shut down due to landslides in some areas. This is absolutely no surprise and nothing out of the ordinary for Big Sur. However, the local businesses in the mountains count on the summer traffic for the majority of their income for the year, so this type of event makes for nail-biting among the business owners and workers who drive into the small mountain communities such as Gorda Springs for summer jobs.
Big Sur is a popular drive trip tourist destination with state parks allowing you opportunities to explore the coast, the forests to the sea, and the stunning rock formations that rise to Cone Peak, the highest coastal mountain in the mainland U.S. (excluding Alaska.) It reaches not quite one mile (its actual height is measured at 5,155 fee) above sea level and is only three miles distance from the ocean and beach.
There are not many hotels in the Big Sur area and they are usually fairly
expensive to book and stay at. Summers (May through September) are the most
expensive months to book hotel rooms in Big Sur, but when demand is high,
you won't see the prices decline significantly during the winter.
One entrance to Big Sur begins north of Piedras Blancas Light Station and
the beach with seals and sea lions north of Cambria and San Simeon. That is
the coastal Highway 1 entry from the south, or you can enter from the north
near Carmel by the Sea. Several amazing places to stop along the journey in
addition to the beaches are Gorda Springs by the Sea, and Nepenthe. Situated
in the Santa Lucia mountain range, these cities have amazing restaurants
that offer locations and views that look and feel insulated and quite
special. Don't forget to stop to grab a bite to eat, and soak up the local
flavor. It's really amazing, and we're not going to spill the beans as to
what it is like.
Big Sur once was thriving industrial
region for redwood lumber. The Old Coast
Trail which had been the only link
between homesteads was still little more
than a wagon trail. Steamers transported
heavy goods and supplies and harbored at
Notley's Landing, Parrington Cove and
the mouth of Little Sur River.
Navigation was treacherous and in 1889,
the Point Sur Lighthouse Station began
sending its powerful beam to protect
ships from the hazards of the coastline.
Big Sur is located along scenic Highway
One approximately 150 miles south of San
Francisco and 300 miles north of Los
Angeles. Historically, the name Big Sur
was derived from that unexplained and
unmapped wilderness area which lays
along the coast south of Monterey. It
was simply called El Sur Grande; The Big
South. Today, Big Sur refers to that
90-mile stretch of rugged and awesomely
beautiful coastline between Carmel to
the north and San Simeon (Hearst Castle)
to the south. Highway One winds along
its length and is flanked on one side by
the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains and
on other by the rocky Pacific Coast.
Although there were two Mexican land
grants awarded in the 1830's which
included most of the area north of the
Big Sur Valley, neither grantee settled
on the land. It was little more than a
century ago when the first permanent
settlers arrived in Big Sur. In the
following decades other handy persons
followed and staked out their
homesteads. The landmarks bare the names
of those early settlers--Mr. Manuel,
Pfeiffer Ridge, Post Summit, Cooper
Point, Dani Ridge, Parrington Cove and
others. Some of their descendants still
live in Big Sur.
In 1937 the present highway was
completed after 18 years of construction
at a considerable expense, even with the
aid of convict labor. The highway has
since been declared California's first
scenic. It provides a driving experience
unsurpassed in natural beauty and scenic
variety.
Electricity did not arrive Big Sur until
the early 1950's, and it still does not
extend the entire length of the coast or
into the remote mountainous areas.
The proximity of the Pacific Ocean
provides for a temperate climate.
Winters are mild and rainy days
interspersed with periods of bright
sunshine. An average rainfall of over 50
inches fills the many streams that flow
down the redwood-lined canyons. Coastal
fog cools the summer mornings and
usually lifts by early afternoon. The
best weather is often during the spring
and fall seasons.
It is wise to include both warm and cold
clothing when packing for Big Sur. A
damp, foggy morning can be followed by a
warm afternoon. The interior valleys of
the Wilderness Area experience greater
extremes in temperatures. The fog bank
seldom crosses the coast ridge so the
days are likely to be hot and the nights
chilly. The scenic qualities and natural
grandeur of the coast which result from
the imposing geography, the rich
vegetative compositions, and the
dramatic meetings of land and sea are
the area's greatest single attraction to
the public. Big Sur has attained a
worldwide reputation for its spectacular
beauty. Hiking, backpacking and scenic
driving are major recreational
activities.
Drive carefully. Highway One is one of
the best-maintained roads in the world
but its sharp curves and steep hills
still preclude high speed driving. The
breathtaking stretch of coastline has
something to offer every visitor. So
relax and enjoy the awesome beauty of
the timeless Big Sur Coast.
Ancient Redwoods Thrive Along the Big
Sur Coast Redwoods known as Coast
Redwoods grow in a very narrow strip
along the coast of California from the
extreme southwestern corner of Oregon to
150 miles south of San Francisco in the
Soda Springs drainage of Big Sur. The
area is about 500 miles long and rarely
summer fog, moderate year-round
temperature and considerable winter
rainfall. Redwood does not grow
naturally beyond the belt affected by
this combination.
Redwood is a rapidly growing tree with
some individual trees measured at more
than 360 feet in height, making it the
tallest tree species on earth. In
favorable situations, trees 20 years old
may average 50 feet in height and 8
inches in diameter. Average mature trees
are from 200 to 240 feet high with
diameters of 10 to 15 feet at 4 feet 8
inches above the ground. Exceptional
individuals sometimes reach a height of
350 feet, a diameter of over 20 feet and
an age of approximately 2000 years.
Adjacent to the Big Sur baseball field
at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is one of
Big Sur's largest redwood trees. The
size of the ancient tree, known locally
as the Pioneer Tree is deceiving. Due to
lightning strikes, it has been severed
at the top.