The 9 Best Things to Do in Big Sur California + 2 Hidden Gems in 2026

Visiting Big Sur california was hands down one of my absolute favorite experiences in the entire state. It has some of the most incredible nature I have ever seen in my life, an endless ocean crashing against massive cliffs, stunning redwood forests, insane coastal views, and loads of cool activities.

I literally just got back from my trip, so I wanted to put this guide together as soon as possible to show you the absolute best things to do in Big Sur California, along with a couple of my personal, under-the-radar hidden gems.

I did pretty much everything during my visit, from hiking some really cool trails to visiting the iconic waterfalls and eating at some really amazing cafes and restaurants. So this list is a big mix of all the best stuff and my personal favourites, so let’s get right into it.

Best Things to Do in Big Sur California – My Experience

I have actually been to California a couple of times now, but my most recent trip was definitely the best time so far by a mile. I had never done a proper road trip around the state, but this time I finally took the chance to do it. I also finally made it to Big Sur, which has been sitting on my bucket list forever. 

Because the famous Highway 1 in Big Sur had been hit with major closures for almost three years, the fact that it finally fully reopened meant I just had to go.

I spent three full days exploring Big Sur and the surrounding area, and I really tried to make the most of it. 

I cruised down the famous highway 1, and I can tell you right away that the coastal views are insane and honestly, I don’t think any of the photos I took actually do the place justice. 

We went hiking through the trees, had some amazing food, saw stunning waterfalls, and chilled on the beaches, so I pretty much got the full Big Sur experience.

I do want to say that I got super lucky on this trip. One of my best friends actually lives in the area and has friends out there, so I was basically shown around by a group of Big Sur locals. 

Having them guide me definitely helped with finding all the absolute best spots, and they were totally happy for me to share our experiences on the blog, so I am stoked to put it all together.

My Quick Tips for Visiting Big Sur

Rent a car to get around

For many of you, this might be totally obvious, but since I have a lot of international readers, I want to emphasize it: you absolutely need a car for Big Sur (and honestly, for most places in California). 

I had a car for my entire 3-week road trip that I rented through Kayak, and everything worked out super seamlessly. I just had a regular sedan, by the way, and didn’t need a larger SUV at all.

Keep in mind that while Big Sur is technically a town, it doesn’t really feel like one. It’s basically just a massive, scenic stretch of road along the coast with random hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants scattered here and there. Because of that, we had to drive pretty much every single day to get anywhere, but the views were so amazing that the driving was half the fun.

Book your accommodation early

This is something I basically preach for every trip, but it goes double for a place like Big Sur. You really have to book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re planning a summer trip or heading out for a weekend. 

We got kind of lucky since June wasn’t crazy packed yet. We stayed at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins in the cutest little log cabin, and it was amazing. I highly recommend checking them out.

Drive carefully (especially when pulling over)

Since we spent three full days in the area, I ended up driving up and down Highway 1 quite a bit. A lot of the hiking trails, viewing platforms, and picture spots are located literally right off the asphalt. 

People will suddenly pull onto the shoulders or slow down without warning to catch a view, so I had to stay very focused the entire time I was behind the wheel. It got especially busy and a little chaotic around Bixby Bridge with people driving carelessly, so please take your time and stay safe out there.

Pack proper shoes and gear

This tip might not apply to everyone, because I know some people come to Big Sur just to swim in the river, hang out at the cabins, and chill in a hot tub. 

We did a fair bit of hiking and some of the trails were actually pretty challenging. I caught myself wishing I had brought a proper hiking backpack and actual trail shoes, which I totally forgot to pack! If you have a lot of outdoor adventures on your itinerary, definitely pack the right gear.

Start your days early to beat the crowds

I highly recommend getting an early start to avoid the thick of the crowds. Pretty much every day, we tried to be out of our cabin and on the road by 8:00 AM. I know that sounds a little crazy when you’re on vacation, but the major hotspots like Pfeiffer Falls and Point Lobos get insanely busy later in the day. The parking situations at these places can get wild, and there are just never enough spots to go around.

Take advantage of free roadside parking

One last quick tip, especially for places like Point Lobos and the Pfeiffer trails: if you park in the dirt turnouts on the side of the main road, it’s completely free. If you pull all the way into the official state park parking lots, it’s going to cost you around $15 USD per vehicle. We usually just parked on the side of the road to save a few bucks and avoid the lot lines, which worked out perfectly.

My Top Things to Do in Big Sur California USA

1. Drive Highway 1 Big Sur

The most obvious and iconic thing to do out here is simply cruise down Highway 1. It was closed for a long time due to major landslides and had just recently opened back up when I visited, so we made sure to make the most of it. Since we spent three full days in Big Sur, we ended up driving it up and down quite a bit.

If you want the best possible experience, I definitely recommend driving from north to south. That way, you’re on the outer side of the road right next to the cliffs, definitely giving you the best coastal views. 

In my opinion, the absolute best stretch for scenery was between Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls. Just keep in mind that the weather can be a total hit-or-miss, we actually had quite a few gloomy, foggy days, but the coastline still looked beautiful regardless.

2. Go hiking in Big Sur

Since I was exploring with a group of friends who are all big outdoor adventurers, we obviously had to hit the trails. We tackled the Boronda Trail up to Timber Top, and I’m not going to lie, it was really hard. It’s only about 6 miles round-trip, but we had to do a massive 2,500-foot elevation gain. It felt like three straight miles of walking completely uphill, but the ridge views over the ocean at the top were absolutely incredible. If you’re into a challenging hike, I highly recommend it. Even though it was pretty hard for me, I still had an amazing time.

Alternatively, if you aren’t looking to exhaust yourself, there are much more mellow and family-friendly paths around Pfeiffer Falls that take you through the redwoods and offer great views without that intense leg burn.

► Check Out my Guide for Hiking in Big Sur California

3. Visit the Henry Miller Memorial Library

One of my absolute favorite places I visited in Big Sur was the Henry Miller Memorial Library. I just love visiting cool libraries in general whenever I travel. By the way, if you are a book lover and planning a broader California trip, there is another really amazing outdoor bookstore called Bart’s Books down in Ojai that you should definitely check out.

Whenever I see a unique literary spot, I make sure to stop by, and this one was for sure one of the most quirky and unique ones I’ve ever been to. 

It’s kinda hidden in the middle of the massive redwood trees in Big Sur. They have an awesome selection of books to browse, but there is also loads of local art scattered around, and the whole property has an almost mystical vibe. It is just a really cool place to wander through, grab a coffee, sit out on the deck.

4. Have lunch or dinner at Nepenthe

One of the most amazing meal spots we went to was definitely Nepenthe. It is located right on the cliffs in Big Sur and has a massive outdoor patio with some of the most incredible views you will ever see. We actually stopped by for more of a late lunch, and I had their steak sandwich and a cold beer. It really hit the spot I have to say especially after we spent the whole day hiking around Big Sur.

Just a heads-up: we had to wait about 30 minutes to get a spot because it gets super busy and they do not take any reservations. One of my local friends told me a funny rumor that apparently Kim Kardashian and Kanye West tried to make a reservation there back in the day and even they were denied and told they had to wait for a table like everyone else!

5. Take a photo at Bixby Bridge

You can’t visit Big Sur without stopping at Bixby Bridge. It is definitely the most iconic landmark in the area, even though if I am being totally honest, it wasn’t my absolute favorite view of the trip. But because it is so famous, we obviously had to pull over and take a classic photo with it.

I do want to mention that the parking situation here is wild. The small pullout spaces get incredibly cramped, cars slow down trying to find a spot, and it can get borderline chaotic. 

They are actually implementing new strict parking rules right now to help clear up the spaces. We ended up going there kind of late around 6:00 PM, and by that time, the midday crowds had left and it wasn’t nearly as busy.

I highly recommend stopping for your photo either early in the morning or later in the evening to completely avoid the mayhem.

6. Explore Pfeiffer Falls

Even though I really enjoyed the massive hike up to Timber Top that I mentioned earlier, I think exploring and walking around the Pfeiffer trails was actually my personal favorite. 

If I am being totally honest, it was just a lot easier. If you are not in the absolute best shape, if you are traveling with kids, or if you simply don’t want to get completely sweaty on your vacation, I highly recommend visiting this area instead.

The scenery here is beautiful. There are so many amazing, and huge redwood trees all around you, cute little well-maintained trails, wooden footbridges, a river, and then Pfeiffer Falls itself at the end. 

I thought that it is just a really nice, easily accessible area to explore.

7. Have lunch at the Big Sur River Inn

Big Sur has a bunch of really cool restaurants, cafes, and pubs, and I managed to try quite a few of them during my three days. My absolute favorite spot, though, was the Big Sur River Inn.

First off, we got super lucky and managed to get a few of their super popular river chairs. They literally have heavy wooden chairs placed right out in the middle of the shallow river, so we could sit there and enjoy a cold beer with our feet right in the water. After we have been hiking around all day, it felt really awesome. 

On top of that, they have a little spot right next door called the Village Cafe, and as you guys might already know, I am a massive coffee lover. They made an amazing cappuccino there. 

8. Stop at McWay Falls

Another waterfall that I absolutely loved visiting was McWay Falls, and it is famous for a good reason. For a start, it looks just insane because the waterfall runs straight off a cliff and drops directly onto the sandy beach into the ocean. It was for sure one of the most unique waterfalls I have seen in a long time.

It is also incredibly easy to see. You don’t have to do a big hike; we just pulled over into a dirt turnout on the side of Highway 1. We got there kind of late around 6:00 PM, so we had no issues finding a spot to pull over. 

However, I noticed there is only space for about 15 cars or so right there, so I bet it gets packed during the middle of the day. 

There is technically a trail that leads a bit closer to the overlook, but unfortunately, it was closed for repairs when we arrived. Just a heads-up too: you can’t actually go down to the beach itself since the cove is completely protected and off-limits, but the view from above is all you really need anyway.

9. Spot the Otters and Sea Lions at Point Lobos State Park

I am absolutely obsessed with all the wildlife in California and Big Sur. I actually got to see way more otters, seals, and sea lions on this trip than I ever expected, which is why I’m still a little gutted that Point Lobos is the one activity on this list I didn’t actually get to do myself.

We wanted to go because it’s a beautiful state park with massive trees, hiking trails, and stunning cliffs where you can usually spot otters and sea lions (and even whales if you get lucky) right from the shore. Unfortunately, it gets crazy busy. When we arrived around 10:00 AM, the entire street was already completely packed with cars and there was nowhere to park. If you want to check it out, definitely learn from my mistake and get there much earlier in the morning! Alternatively Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is supposed to be amazing too!

Two of my Personal Favorite Activities I did in Big Sur

Picnic at Sand Dollar Beach

In my opinion, the absolute best place for a picnic in Big Sur is Sand Dollar Beach. We always make sure to keep a picnic blanket and swimwear in our car just in case, so one day we packed some sandwiches and snacks, stopped here, and just watched the waves crash. 

It was really beautiful, and honestly, it’s also a great way to save some money. I did a three-week road trip across California, and going out for lunch every single day can get super expensive. Packing some sandwiches, fruit, and snacks to eat right on the beach was much cheaper and ended up being one of my favorite afternoons.

Day trip to the wineries in Carmel Valley

I know this is technically not inside Big Sur, it’s in Carmel Valley, which is right around the corner, but I was such a huge fan of the wineries there that I just had to add this to the list for you guys. 

I think it is so worth making the short drive over. We went to Folktale Winery in Carmel Valley and it was incredible. The staff there was amazing and so friendly, the food was great, and the atmosphere was just so chill. 

Sometimes wineries can feel a little uptight and stuffy, and I really don’t like that vibe, but this place felt super relaxed while still being absolutely beautiful. I had an amazing time here and highly recommend it to you.

FAQs About What to Do in Big Sur California

What are some free things to do in Big Sur? 

There are so many free things to do in Big Sur. Hiking the Pfeiffer trails, tackling the trek up to Timber Top, and stopping at Bixby Bridge or McWay Falls won’t cost you a thing. In fact, I think almost all the best activities in Big Sur are completely free!

Where should I stay in Big Sur? 

It totally depends on the vibe you are looking for, but I personally stayed at the Big Sur Campground and Cabins and absolutely loved it. We stayed in one of their one-bedroom cabins with a kitchen, and it was super cozy and perfect for the trip.

Do I need a car for Big Sur? 

100% yes, you absolutely do. Big Sur is basically just one big highway with trails and waterfalls scattered left and right. I highly advise against trying to walk along the actual highway, so we used our car every single day for pretty much everything.

Is Big Sur expensive? 

Compared to many other places I have visited in California, I would actually say no. Sure, accommodation can be a little pricey and eating out can add up, but as far as activities go, pretty much all the cool hikes, beaches, and waterfalls are completely free to visit.

Can I go camping in Big Sur? 

Absolutely. There are a bunch of great official campsites in Big Sur, but I also met a lot of people who were backpacking. They would go on multi-day hikes and just pitch their tents right along the trail, which sounds super cool.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Big Sur

I’ve been to so many places in California by now, and purely in terms of the nature and how much fun I had exploring, Big Sur is right up there at the top for me alongside Lake Tahoe.

The landscape is just so unique and amazing. It has some of the best views I have ever seen in my life, and hanging out at all the local restaurants and pubs was so much fun. I would 100% go back again, especially now that Highway 1 is fully reopened. Driving all the way down from Big Sur to Santa Barbara is just awesome.

I hope this little guide on the best things to do in Big Sur gives you a good idea of my favorite activities and helps you plan your own trip!

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