If Big Sur’s Most Famous and Photographed Road in the World wasn’t enough for you, and the collision of condor, coastline, redwoods and literary legend don’t quite float your two-man kayak either, then you may want to see a shrink.
More affordable than said psychiatry—and wildly more enjoyable, engaging and enlivening—would be a visit to Tradewinds, where a Carmel stroll to the beach from the boutique dream hotel, a stop by one of the hamlet’s venerable restaurants and a recoup in the hotel’s jet tubs sets the mood and the energy for a trip south on the aforementioned Highway 1 and the bounty-for-the-senses that is Big Sur.
For there are more reasons to get to Big Sur than ever before. Here come a six-pack of them, beginning with a burgeoning foodie festival, and closing with a sublime five-pack of the best Big Sur parks, in alphabetical order:
Big Sur Food & Wine Festival
In its first year, people marveled at the amount of wineries with robust reputations (and better wines) and the number restaurants with adept chefs (and warm personalities) who came out for a little first-time benefit in the redwoods.
In its second, they gawked at how, despite the uptick in quantity and quality of the purveyors represented—as they joined the returning collaborators who swore they were in for life—the event retained the feeling of family that any event worth its Big Sur sea salt wants.
Now, in year three, it’s the organizers turn to be shocked—namely, at how quickly their “Magic Mystery Tour” trip (through three breathtaking properties paired with three standout wineries from Paso Robles, Monterey County and beyond plus three top chefs like Dory Ford) sold out.
There’s more indulgent epicurean education where that came from.
Folks from hallowed Big Sur taste destinations like Big Sur Bakery and Deetjen’s join forces with dozens of top wineries from Paso Robles to Santa Lucia (think Isoceles, Garys’ Vineyards, Talbott and Testarossa) for Pacific Coast-size waves of winemaker dinners, grand tastings, an opening gala at Highlands Inn and new events like a pork paradise party at Henry Miller Library called Swine and Wine.
There’s a reason people travel from as far off as Florida to tempt the South Coast’s treasures with as many senses as possible.
More at (831) 869-1341, www.bigsurfoodandwine.org
Andrew Molera State Park
This quazi-secret, 5,000-acre state park stretches along the shore for four full miles, with gotta-earn-it access to one of the longest beaches in Big Sur. Locals surf here religiously even though the waves require a pilgrimage hike from the cars that stretches at least a mile. Molera also offers equestrian trails and picnic facilities, as well as first-come-first-served walk-in camping in a expansive meadow a brief walk from the ocean, with lots of human-friendly trails snaking around the woods and coast too.
Located 21 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, Big Sur. 667-2315.
Garrapata State Park
Garrapata earns local adoration for its range of difficulties and similar range of payoffs. Think of it as a closer-to-town version of everything deeper Big Sur has to share. Its 3,000 acres encompass scenic shorelines, deep canyons and steep mountains. The Rocky Ridge trail turns inland and upward for some gulp-inducing views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, while the Soberanes Canyon trail is lined with redwoods and offers a rewarding hike without quite as much physical exertion.
Located 10 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. 624-4909.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The southernmost state park in Big Sur is worth the drive, given the close-to-4,000 acres stretching from a much-photographed waterfall to the soaring peaks of the Santa Lucia Range. That means hikers can revel in beautiful redwood groves, river walks and views of the picturesque McWay Falls as it empties into the sea, or just picnic near the parking lot.
Located 37 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. 667-2315.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
There can only be one king. Established in 1933, this state park is one of the reasons the government had to outsource reservations—it just got too damn popular. Located within its 850 acres are the Big Sur Lodge and cabins, a store, a restaurant, camping, and numerous sites for picnicking, swimming and fishing, plus the über-popular “Gorge” for its river beach and rocks to jump from.
Located 31 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. 667-2315.
Point Lobos State Reserve
While not technically Big Sur, and arguably “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world,” as landscape artist Francis McComas called it, Point Lobos is hard to parallel, and tougher to describe accurately. Some 14 interconnecting trails wind through native pine forests, cypress groves and breathtaking, rugged coastal scenery that drawn divers and otters alike. Whalers Cove and other locations provide plenty of opportunities to view 250 bird and animal species, including, when the season is right, migrating gray whales. Day use only—but that includes the inspiring sunsets.
Located 2 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. 624-4909.
