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Big Sur

Big Sur History

   Big Sur is a rugged area of Pacific coastline about 29 miles south of Monterey. The name is an Americanized version of "El Sur Grande," which means "the Big South," in reference to the region's location to Monterey Bay.
   Although the landscape is big here, the towns are not -- in fact, there are no actual cities in Big Sur. Residents live in small communities that are scattered along the coastline, from Big Sur and Posts in the north to Lucia in the south.
   Big Sur was initially part of a Mexican land grant. After California claimed statehood in 1850, the land became a logging region that supplied the nation with redwood lumber. Ships arriving to pick up supplies found the steep coastline a treacherous trek, so the Point Sur Light Station was constructed in 1889 to aid navigation.
   Access to the region remained limited until 1937, when Highway 1 was completed. The scenic roadway brought visitors who fell in love with the craggy cliffs and lush forests surrounding Big Sur. Many Hollywood celebrities, including Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, had vacation homes in the area, although lack of electricity and other amenities kept the year-round population low until well into the 1950s.
    Writer Henry Miller lived in Big Sur from 1944 until 1962. The Henry Miller Library, located in the former home of his one-time assistant, honors the author of such classics as "Tropic of Cancer" and "Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch." Today, Big Sur remains a writers' haven, and it's also home to many artists, activists and nature lovers.

Activities

   Big Sur is home to quaint shops, restaurants and galleries, but the region's true attraction is its lush natural setting.
   Los Padres National Forest comprises nearly 2 million acres of redwoods and other trees that grow from Big Sur to the western edge of Los Angeles County. The thickest areas of the forest are found just outside Big Sur, which is renowned for its redwoods and rugged scenery.
   Limekiln State Park also features a large redwood forest, as does Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which has more than 1,000 acres of trees. Besides redwoods, Pfeiffer Big Sur has conifers, sycamores, oaks, cottonwoods, maples and willows. The Big Sur Lodge is also located within the park, which is home to deer, skunks, raccoons and a variety of birds.
    Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a dramatic blend of coastline and 3,000-foot ridges. The park is home to redwood, tan oaks and chaparral, and an 80-foot waterfall that plummets into the ocean from the Overlook Trail.
   Andrew Molera State Park is a largely undeveloped park offering hiking, fishing and beachcombing along miles of meadows, beaches and hills. The park is part of the sprawling Ventana Wilderness area.
   North of Big Sur, the Point Sur Light Station sits on a large, volcanic rock overlooking the ocean. The lighthouse is the only complete 19th-century light station in the state that's open to the public.
   The Henry Miller Library has a large collection of the author's works. Concerts, workshops, exhibits and private events are held inside the library and in the facility's outdoor redwood amphitheater.
   Each April, runners compete in the Big Sur Marathon, and each May, music fans gather for the Big Sur Jazz Fest.

Big Sur Fast Facts

   Location: Big Sur is located along Highway 1 near the Pacific Ocean, about 29 miles south of Monterey
   Population: Approximately 800
   Average annual rainfall: 20.35 inches
   Average temperatures: 62ºF in summer, 51ºF in winter

Schools

   There are two public schools in Big Sur: Captain Cooper Elementary (K-5) and Pacific Valley (K-12).

Beaches

   Although Big Sur's steep terrain restricts access to the ocean, there are some beaches to be found in the region.
   Pfeiffer Beach is a popular spot, featuring a large arch-shaped rock formation and a long sandy shore.
   The waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park drops into crystal-clear waters that are surrounded by a sheltered cove. The beach here is small, but beautiful.
   Andrew Molera State Park offers a small protected beachfront. And another protected site can be found at Sand Dollar Beach, which is located south of Big Sur near Lucia.

Maps of Big Sur

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