My Big Sur Favorites

Me @ Big Sur, CA

One of the places in California that we frequent for a vacation yet never get tired of is Big Sur. What I love most about Big Sur is that it combines two of the Earth's features that I love, the mountains and the ocean. Though between two California big cities, Los Angeles to the South and San Francisco to the North, yet this strip of Pacific Coast appears as wild as it can be. 

The Wild Pacific Coast @ Big Sur, CA

Let me share with you my Big Sur Favorites.

1. Favorite Lodging: Lucia Lodge

Lucia Lodge is one of the very few ( maybe only 2 or 3 hotels in the area) hotels in Big Sur that sits right on the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with stunning vistas. Who does not want to retire to a beautiful sunset after a day of hiking or of exploring? Or wake up to a beautiful sunrise?

Sunset and Sunrise From Lucia Lodge

2. Favorite Waterfall to Photograph: McWay Fall, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

McWay Fall

McWay Fall probably is the most photographed spot in Big Sur. It's really very photogenic. The turquoise color of the water in the cove is simply mesmerizing. The sight of waterfall dropping next to the sea makes it very special. Just too bad we could not go down to the cove to enjoy the waterfall and beach to preserve the area. There was a trail that goes down here before, but that trail was closed due to erosion and foot traffic. 

With beauty, comes popularity, that sadly, to preserve the beauty of this majestic waterfall, the trail going down the beach has been closed now. I am not complaining the trail has been closed, I actually am glad that this piece of beauty is preserved for future generations to enjoy. And I believe, the closure of trail down to the beach added more depth to its beauty. 

3. Favorite Beach: Garrapata State Beach

Garrapata State Beach

Garrapata is more than just a beach actually, this is also a great place to hike! It's just a choice of hiking next to the cliffs down to the beach where you can find a spot where you feel so special for having the best of the beach all to yourself. Or you can choose to hike to the redwood canyon up the mountain at Garrapata State Park for a stunning ocean scenery.

Hiking and the Ocean, @ Garrapata State Beach and Park

4. Favorite Hike: Limekiln Falls State Park

Cascades @ Limekiln Falls State Park

What do I love most about this hike? Walking in the middle of tall trees in the redwood forest. 

5. Favorite Cove: Partington Cove

I actually love the hike here, it combines stunning ocean vistas, redwoods, tunnel, and then of course, the reward of the hike is a very nice relaxing rest at the cove.

6. Favorite Beach Walk: Pfeiffer Beach

Why? Well, isn't it obvious? I found my pink sands beach! Haha! Actually, it's not just the pink sands that I love here, but the rock formations. It's like being in Mono Lake, but just not in lake, but next to the ocean.

7. Favorite Viewpoint: All of Them :)

 I really do not have a favorite viewpoint in Big Sur, everywhere you turn, the scenery is simply inspiring. National Geographic won't put this in their list of world's ten best drives of a lifetime if it is not that rewarding. I just feel lucky enough to be living not too far from this very beautiful stretch of land. Big Sur vacation again? No doubt! 

♥♥