Where to Stay in Big Sur California: My 5 Top Lodges & Hotels in 2026

I know loads of you are planning a weekend trip to Big Sur soon, and one of the first things you usually have to sort out is figuring out where to stay.

I spent quite a bit of time in Big Sur myself, and for my trip, I had pretty much only a handful of requirements. I wanted my stay to be cozy, and I wanted it to match the actual experience. By that, I mean I didn’t want to stay in a modern, newly built hotel. No way, I wanted to stay in a cute little cabin in the woods because that is what Big Sur is all about!

Luckily, I succeeded. I stayed at a really cute little cabin right in the redwoods and absolutely loved it.

I want you guys to have your own awesome experience in Big Sur, but don’t worry, you don’t have to stay in a cabin in the woods if that’s not your style. 

I’ve put together this guide on Where to Stay in Big Sur California including my favorite areas, hotels, and lodges in Big Sur for your next weekend trip, covering everything from rustic camps to absolute luxury.

Where I Stayed in Big Sur California & Why I Loved it

I wanted to start this guide with my own experience so I can tell you exactly how it went first-hand. I always feel like those are the absolute best recommendations I can give you!

When I was looking for a place to stay in Big Sur, my number one priority was finding somewhere that just screams Big Sur. By that, I mean I really wanted to stay in a little cabin in the woods, surrounded by trees, with a real rustic feel to it. 

Originally, I planned on staying at the Fernwood Resort, which looks so, so cute, but it was fully booked for my dates. I ended up staying at Big Sur Campground & Cabins instead, and I also had an amazing experience there.

We stayed in one of their cabins, and it was just so cozy and cute. The beds were super comfortable, and we actually got a free upgrade to a cabin with a kitchen! That came in so handy because we could make sandwiches for our hikes and keep our food in the fridge, which was awesome.

It definitely wasn’t a super luxury experience, not at all, but it felt so completely on-brand with Big Sur. I just loved it and would 100% stay there again.

Oh, and there was a coffee shop right next door called The Village. Literally every single morning, I could just walk right over and get us a couple of cappuccinos, which we then drank sitting outside our cabin surrounded by giant redwoods. Honestly, what else could I even want, you guys?

The Best Areas to Stay in Big Sur California

Before I get into the different areas, I want to clarify one thing: Big Sur is not really a town or a city.

It is basically a region along the California coast running between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Morro Bay. There is essentially only one road running through the entire area, Highway 1, and set right along the sides of this highway is where you’ll find all the lodges, hiking trails, beaches, restaurants, and hotels.

Because of that, I actually recommend finding the specific lodge, cabin, or hotel you love first and booking that, rather than stressing too much about the exact area. 

Since you’re going to be driving up and down Highway 1 to explore anyway, your location doesn’t matter quite as much!

But if you do want to break it down geographically, here are the main areas to consider.

Big Sur Village

The Big Sur Village is the closest thing you’ll find to an actual “town” in the region, even though it still doesn’t feel like a traditional town.

This area has the highest concentration of lodges, cabins, campgrounds, and restaurants, and it’s also where I stayed at the Big Sur Campground & Cabins.

I really loved staying here and would highly recommend it to you guys. It was just so convenient because we could literally walk to a bunch of different restaurants and outdoor patios right from our cabin. We could also walk right down to the river, and driving over to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to hike to Pfeiffer Falls took us only about 5 minutes.

In terms of location, staying in the Village was just beautiful and super convenient for us and made a perfect base camp.

South Big Sur / Lucia

The south of Big Sur around Lucia sits much closer to places like Cambria and Morro Bay, which is essentially where the Big Sur coast begins.

It is much quieter down here, and there are definitely fewer accommodation options. However, some of the most awesome beaches, like Sand Dollar Beach, are located in this southern stretch.

I would recommend staying in this area if you are driving up from Southern California and want to get settled without having to drive quite as far north on your first day. That being said, Lucia is pretty far away from the main highlights of Big Sur Village. Because it’s a little further out from everything, I wanted to give it to you as an option, but I personally probably wouldn’t choose to stay down here.

Carmel & Monterey

I know, I know, technically Carmel and Monterey are not actually part of Big Sur. But honestly, they are right next door, so it doesn’t really matter, and for many of you, it might make the most sense to stay there!

Carmel and Monterey have a lot going for them. You have the famous 17-Mile Drive, Carmel-by-the-Sea is an incredibly cute little town, and there are loads of great wineries around the area. 

Also, they are proper, fully established cities. If you want restaurants, bars, and supermarkets close by, I highly recommend staying up here and just driving into Big Sur for day trips.

I actually stayed in Carmel myself before I drove down to stay in Big Sur and I loved it here and I wish I could have stayed longer. If you only have a limited amount of time and want to see both, staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea and commuting in for day trips is a fantastic option.

The 5 Best Lodges & Hotels in Big Sur California

1. Fernwood Resort (This Is Where I’m Planning on Staying Next Time)

First up on my list, and just to be clear, this is in no particular order, is the Fernwood Resort. This is actually where I originally planned on staying when I visited Big Sur this summer. 

I did a ton of research beforehand because I really wanted to find a place that felt rustic, cozy, and very “Big Sur.” Unfortunately, I found out it was completely booked out for my exact dates, so I couldn’t stay here. However, I am already planning my next visit to Big Sur, and you better believe this is where I’ll be booking!

Anyway, at Fernwood Resort they offer cabins and rooms located literally right in the redwood forest close to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which is just incredible. 

Many of their forest-view cabins and units are designed in a super cozy style, and some of them even come with private hot tubs right on their decks. You guys, sitting in a hot tub under a canopy of giant redwood trees was the whole reason I wanted to stay here in the first place, it sounds just absolutely amazing. I’m definitely manifesting that experience for my next trip!

Even though I didn’t get to sleep here, I still got to experience the property. They have a super cool on-site restaurant called the Fernwood Tavern (also known as the Fernwood Bar & Grill). 

I actually came by here after a day of exploring to grab some pizza and beers, and I absolutely loved it. I had a pepperoni pizza, which was delicious, and sitting out on their back deck under the enormous redwoods was for sure a 10/10 experience.

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2. Big Sur Campground & Cabins (I Stayed Here And I Loved It)

As I mentioned earlier, this is where I actually ended up staying and I had an absolutely amazing experience.

Just like the name suggests, Big Sur Campground & Cabins has regular tent and RV camping facilities, but they also have a bunch of cabins scattered through the trees, which is what we booked. We stayed in a 1-bedroom cabin, and we actually got a free upgrade to one with a full kitchen! Originally, we just had their basic cabin booked, so I was super stoked about the upgrade because it meant we could easily prep our sandwiches and lunches in the kitchen before heading out on our hikes.

The cabin itself was incredibly cozy and I just loved it. It is definitely a little more on the basic and rustic side compared to a place like Fernwood, but I didn’t mind that at all. It was exactly what I wanted from my stay.

Honestly, the best part was that a cute little coffee shop called The Village was literally right next door. Every morning, I could just walk over, grab a cappuccino, and drink it out on the little porch of my cabin surrounded by the trees. I highly, highly recommend staying here!

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3. Alila Ventana Big Sur (Best Luxury Hotel in Big Sur)

Okay, so of course I want to mix this list up a little bit and not just include cabin-style accommodations. I know the rustic thing isn’t for everyone, and that’s exactly why I am adding Alila Ventana Big Sur to the list.

My friends, this is exactly where I would stay if I won the lottery (or hey, if the Alila Ventana team wants to invite me, feel free to reach out!).

If you are looking for a highly upscale weekend trip to Big Sur, maybe you’re treating yourself or celebrating a special occasion, and you want pure luxury, this is the place. 

I did so much research on this property and it is insane. They have the most beautiful spa and infinity pools with mind-blowing views right over the redwood forest, amazing dining experiences, and their rooms and cottages just look so, so incredible.

Like I said, it wasn’t quite in my budget for this trip, but I promise you this has to be the absolute best luxury hotel in Big Sur by a mile.

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4. Sur Grove Big Sur (Best Vacation Rental in Big Sur)

We definitely are the type of couple that loves going on trips with either friends or family. Whenever we do that, we pretty much always try to get a big house or vacation rental instead of separate hotel rooms. 

It is just so much nicer that way because you can have breakfast together, cook dinners, and all hang out in the living room together at the end of the day.

If you are the exact same type of traveler and you’re looking for a full house to rent, my research led me to Sur Grove Big Sur. It is one of the best 2-bedroom houses out there, tucked literally right in the middle of the redwoods, and it looks absolutely dreamy. 

I would totally stay here on my next visit if I were planning a little friends’ getaway or a family trip.

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5. Normandy Inn

I said it before already, but I will say it again: I know that Carmel-by-the-Sea is technically not in Big Sur. But it is basically right where Highway 1 starts heading down into the Big Sur coast, so I figured it makes total sense to include it on this list!

I actually stayed at the Normandy Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea for two nights before I eventually moved further down the coast to stay at the Big Sur Campground & Cabins. Because I had loads of time, I took my trip really easy. 

But if you are more limited on time, staying in Carmel-by-the-Sea is a great way to see the town and explore Big Sur at the same time.

The Normandy Inn was honestly the cutest little guesthouse. I didn’t even want to leave! It felt like I was transported back to Europe. It’s super cozy, well-designed, has a great pool, and is literally just a 5-minute walk away from the beach. 

If you’d rather stay somewhere that feels like a town, with coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping right around the corner, this spot is absolutely perfect.

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FAQs About Where to Stay in Big Sur California

Where should I stay in Big Sur?

I always recommend staying in Big Sur Village! It’s where I stayed, and the location was super convenient. I booked Big Sur Campground & Cabins, which was an awesome experience, but Fernwood Resort is also a fantastic place to stay if you want that rustic, cozy forest vibe.

Can I go camping in Big Sur?

Absolutely, you can go camping! There are tons of paid campgrounds with great amenities, like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Big Sur Campground & Cabins. But if you are looking for free camping and backpacking, you can head out into the surrounding Los Padres National Forest where dispersed camping is allowed.

What is the best glamping in Big Sur?

The best glamping is for sure at Alila Ventana. They have a stunning luxury glamping campground alongside their world-class spa resort. It gives you the best of both worlds, sleeping under the redwoods but with total luxury and incredible views.

Is Big Sur worth visiting?

What a question, yes, 100% worth visiting! I am a big outdoorsy person and love hiking. Alongside Lake Tahoe, Big Sur is definitely my favorite region in all of California. The coastline and massive trees are unbeatable.

What are the best hikes in Big Sur?

I did quite a bit of hiking in Big Sur myself. For a super easy, family-friendly hike, I always recommend the Pfeiffer Falls Trail. But if you want something much more challenging, I absolutely loved taking the Borunda Trail up to Timber Top. It’s a steep climb, but the coastal mountain views from the top are just insane.

Final Thoughts on Big Sur: Where Should I Stay in Big Sur?

To wrap this up quickly, I’ll say it one more time: focus on finding the specific hotel, cabin, or lodge you want to stay in, and don’t stress too much about the exact location! Because you’ll be driving up and down Highway 1 to explore regardless, any base camp works.

Personally, I would stay either right around Big Sur Village or a bit further north towards Carmel-by-the-Sea. From my experience, those areas just have the highest concentration of things I enjoyed doing, like the best hikes, waterfalls, coastal viewpoints, wineries, and restaurants.

In terms of the actual properties, I highly recommend Fernwood Resort as a top pick; it’s exactly where I’m planning to book the next time I visit. Of course, if you have a bigger budget and want to treat yourself, Alila Ventana is an awesome option too.

I hope my guide on where to stay in Big Sur California helps you find the perfect spot and plan an unforgettable trip down the coast. Happy travels, y’all!

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

Best Cafes & Restaurants in Big Sur: My Top Foodie Spots

3 Day Big Sur California Road Trip: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary Big Sur

Best Time to Visit Big Sur California: When I Would Go Again

Where to Stay in Big Sur California: My Favorite Hotels & Lodges