Big Sur Still Beckons with Big Ocean Views Delighting Spring Break Crowds
By the time you read this, Spring breakers and tourists should be gone and Big Sur should be the peaceful, beautiful spot with majestic ocean views it has been known for over the years. We just happened to pick perhaps the worst week to visit, for my birthday, early April, as smart phone-wielding students and tourists spilled out into roadways including Hwy 1, making vista point parking a rare commodity this weekend. However, we managed to find our way and still enjoy this great time of year in Big Sur near Monterey, California.
First stop Monterey for a ‘surf fix’ and great cloud shot on this inclimate yet beautiful day
Carmel Mission stop off on the way to Big Sur.
Now historic Highlands Inn, overlooking Pacific Ocean just south of Carmel-by-the -Sea.
Yes, this once famous tourist spot for the well healed still survives under ownership of the Hyatt Hotel chain. Definitely worth a stop for a coffee and great views and grounds
Al fresco brunch area compliments the indoor dining room below
Hard to beat this dining experience ‘high overlooking the pacific ocean’ as the old commercial for Highlands Inn used to say…
Lush grounds surrounding the main lodge at Highlands Inn.
Now, back on the road after this vista point stop on the way to Big Sur
Must stop Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant. But try to get their earlier than we did or the good stuff
will be all gone.
World reknown Nepenthe Restaurant and store with more marvelous overlooks of the Pacific Ocean. Maybe the food isn’t as good as the Big Sur Bakery but the views are worth the stop for a drink or two
And, off to our final top, Pfeiffer State Park for a little hiking and Big Trees
Nice contrast to the ocean views of Nepenthe and Highlands is Pfeiffer State Park, with its redwoods and waterfalls. Great place to cool off on warm days in this natural paradise of pine and pinecones. Huge redwoods, too. See video below
Somewhere Over The Rainbow…Very fitting climax for the day… this beautiful rainbow befitting beautiful Big Sur as we ride out of town back to the real world just as the rains came….