The 3 Best Hikes at Big Sur California: My Top Trails in 2026

I am a huge outdoor lover. From mountain biking and snowboarding to hiking, I kinda love all of it, which is why it’s not really a big surprise that I love Big Sur, California so much. If I’m being honest, it’s probably one of my favorite places I have ever visited in California.

The number one activity that I did in Big Sur was definitely hiking. Even though I only spent a few days there on my recent road trip, I tried to get in as many cool hikes as I could.

For all of you first-timers, I’ve decided to put together this little guide on the best hikes at Big Sur, California. I’m sharing my three favorite trails that I did and telling you all about them including what to expect, how hard or easy they are, and then I’ll also make sure to give you guys some extra tips on hiking in Big Sur. Let’s get started!

The Best Hikes at Big Sur California – My Experience

On my recent trip to Big Sur, I did a pretty good mix of hikes. We went from really easy but beautiful ones like the Pfeiffer Falls Trail, which led us through giant redwood trees, past rivers, and over wooden bridges, to some surprisingly hard hikes. 

We actually did one where we went up 2,500 feet in elevation over only three miles, which is incredibly steep! That first easy one, Pfeiffer Falls, was maybe my favorite hike, though, and I highly recommend it for families with kids.

We also did some beautiful, scenic hikes along the coast and cliffs, which apparently are perfect for whale watching, though we just didn’t get lucky enough to spot any this time around.

So yeah, we kinda did a great mix and I absolutely loved the hiking here, especially because there was so much variety in the landscape, which I definitely didn’t expect. 

I’ll be honest though, and this is very unlike me, I didn’t plan a lot of these trails beforehand. We luckily have some friends who live in Big Sur, so they showed us around and took us straight to the best spots. Having locals show me around definitely was a huge bonus, but now I can share my experience and try to help all of you guys out, too!

My Top Tips for Hiking in Big Sur California

Plan your route accordingly 

Whenever I go hiking, I really like to plan ahead. That includes looking at the exact route, seeing how long the hike will take us, and trying to figure out the best spot to park and start the trail. I always use AllTrails.com for this, since in my opinion, it’s the best platform when it comes to tracking hikes, and I highly recommend checking it out before you head out.

Parking can be limited 

We had a rental car the whole time in Big Sur, which by the way, is essential there, but for many of the hikes and sightseeing spots, parking can be super limited. For some of the trails, there is only roadside parking available. For others, like Pfeiffer Falls, they have a paid parking lot as well as free roadside parking. Either way, we always made sure to get started as early as possible so we wouldn’t run into any stressful parking issues.

Bring proper gear (especially for hard hikes) 

Please do me and yourself a favor and bring proper gear and equipment. For some of the easy hikes, like Pfeiffer Falls, you can probably just wear regular tennis shoes or sneakers and you’ll be totally fine. 

But for the harder hikes, make sure to have good hiking shoes, your toes and ankles will thank you. I also always preach bringing sunscreen, a hat, and a rain jacket for those types of trips, especially when you are doing more serious hikes that take two hours or more.

Bring enough water 

I probably should have put this at the very top of the list, but make sure you pack enough water! Some of these hikes are two to five hours long, and there is no supermarket halfway through. We visited Big Sur in June, and it was muggy and hot. I made sure we brought more than enough water because there is nothing worse than getting dehydrated on a trail.

Permits in Big Sur 

Luckily, we didn’t need any permits to go hiking here, which is awesome. Most of the trails we did are part of the Los Padres National Forest, which doesn’t require any type of registration, permit, or pass for day hikes. You can even go backpacking in Big Sur California without a permit in many areas, which is incredible and definitely something I am planning on doing the next time I come visit!

My 3 Favorite Hikes in Big Sur That I actually Did

1. Timber Tops (Boronda Trail) – Hard

• Length: 6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,588 feet
• Time: AllTrails says 4 to 5 hours, but it took us only 3 hours since we put up a pretty good pace
• Location: Boronda Trailhead along Highway 1
• Good For: Backpacking in Big Sur, Amazing Views

The very first hike we did when we arrived in Big Sur was the Boronda Trail, which leads all the way up to Timber Tops. It takes you right to the peak of a ridge right by the ocean, offering probably some of the most incredible views I had the entire time I was in Big Sur. For the views alone, it is 100% worth it.

We did this hike super early, I think we started at about 8:00 AM. We were hiking in a group of ten people, all friends, and most of them are pretty good hikers. Because of that, we really smashed this one out. I’m honestly kinda proud of us, because while I do love a good hike, it’s not like I’m a passionate hiker who goes out all the time.

The hike itself, I have to say, was not the most beautiful in the sense of the trail conditions. It was incredibly steep for the most part, since it’s three miles straight to the top and three miles back down to cover that 2,500 feet of elevation gain. It was pretty much just a relentless, steep climb the whole way up. The panoramic views along the ridge were incredible for most of the trail, though, which made it awesome. 

I did this hike in regular tennis shoes, and I really wish I would have had some better trail shoes with me!!

I definitely recommend this hike only to people who are in decent shape and are happy to get a serious workout in, because it wasn’t easy at all. We actually saw quite a few people backpacking at Timber Tops to stay overnight. Watching the sunset from a tent up there is probably amazing, and I would love to come back and do that next time!

2. Creamery Meadow Trail Loop – Medium

• Length: 8.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,443 feet
• Time: 4 to 5 hours on average, but it took us only 3 hours
• Location: Creamery Meadow Trailhead
• Good For: Long scenic hikes, families

The Creamery Meadow Trail is the second hike we did in Big Sur. We started it bright and early in the morning again since we always try to beat the crowds and beat the heat when we go out on a hike, especially in a popular area like Big Sur.

I really, really loved Creamery Meadow because, at least from my experience, it felt like a really nice middle ground. You get beautiful surroundings and views, but compared to the tough ridge hike I mentioned above, this one was actually much easier.

We specifically did the Creamery Meadow Loop, which is about 8 miles long. Since we had a pretty good pace going, we managed to knock it out in about 3 hours. We started on the inland side of the loop and finished by walking right along the ocean, which was so, so beautiful. I really loved the views on that coastal section.

A few extra things I want to add here: First, there is a river crossing at the very beginning of the hike. I just took my shoes off and did it barefoot, but I highly recommend bringing a little towel to dry and clean your feet afterward. 

Second, you also don’t have to do the whole 8-mile loop if you don’t want to. Many people only do the small trail that leads straight to the ocean for great views, which only takes about 30 minutes!

3. Pfeiffer Falls Trail – Easy

• Length: 1.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 433 feet
• Time: 1 hour
• Location: Pfeiffer Falls Trailhead (starts near the Big Sur Lodge)
• Good For: Families with kids, amazing redwood trees

When it comes purely to scenery and surroundings, I actually think Pfeiffer Falls is my personal favorite. Calling it a hike is a little bit of a stretch, I’d consider it more of a nice walking trail, but regardless, I think it is a must-do for everyone visiting the area.

We did this hike on the morning of the day we left, and it was so, so beautiful and serene. We started right by the Big Sur Lodge, and from there we walked the Pfeiffer Falls Trail, which goes over some really beautiful wooden walkways and bridges. 

We were completely surrounded by massive redwoods the whole time. The trail leads all the way to Pfeiffer Falls, which is not the biggest or most impressive waterfall I’ve ever seen, but the whole scenery in general is just so beautiful and amazing.

I would definitely recommend this for families with kids, or anyone who just wants to explore the outdoors without going on a proper, grueling hike.

FAQs About Hiking in Big Sur California

What is the best hike in Big Sur?

There are plenty of amazing hikes in Big Sur! As far as the ones I actually did, I think Pfeiffer Falls is the best easy and family-friendly trail, and Timber Tops was the best advanced hike I did in the area.

Can I go backpacking in Big Sur California?

Yes, absolutely you can, and I’m kinda gutted that I didn’t go myself this time! That is definitely something I will do next time I visit. Many of the hiking trails in Big Sur are part of the Los Padres National Forest, where camping along the trails is permitted. Just keep in mind that while you don’t need a formal wilderness reservation for most areas, you do need to grab a free California Campfire Permit online if you plan to use a backpacking stove.

When is the best time to visit Big Sur?

I personally think the best time to visit is in the fall, around October. By then, you get the best temperatures for hiking, and it’s hopefully not super gloomy. I went in June, and while the temperatures were fantastic, it was pretty overcast—a classic coastal phenomenon they call the “June Gloom.”

Where should I stay in Big Sur?

Accommodations are a bit limited in Big Sur, but we stayed at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins in a little log cabin, which was super cute but fairly rustic. If you want something more upscale and luxurious, I highly recommend checking out Alila Ventana Big Sur.

Is Big Sur California worth visiting?

100%! Big Sur is absolutely worth visiting. It is easily one of my favorite places in California. For anyone who loves the outdoors or just wants to escape the city for a little bit, it is just perfect. Just make sure to book your accommodation early!

Final Thoughts on The Best Hikes in Big Sur

I am definitely not a Big Sur hiking expert, but from what I can say, the hiking scene and the trails here are just beautiful.

I think we managed to explore a great mix of very family-friendly and beginner-friendly trails like Pfeiffer Falls, but then I’m also really glad that we tackled something more challenging like Timber Tops. Because of that, I feel like I walked away with a really good idea of what hiking in Big Sur is truly like.

I hope this little guide and my review of the trails I did can give you a pretty good idea of how to plan your next trip and enjoy some hiking in Big Sur for yourself. Happy hiking!

Check Out My Other Big Sur Travel Guides

Things to Do in Big Sur California: My Top Activities

Is Big Sur California Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Best Hikes in Big Sur California: The Best Trails for Beginners