Big Sur is California's wildest, most scenic coastline and with good reason. Some beaches are inaccessible to the public while most that you can reach are set again the backdrop mountains that seeming rise out of the sea. The range of mountains called Santa Lucia separates the California coast from the inland salad bowl of Salinas Valley.

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.

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