

Most people are surprised at how little “civilization” is around here – no traffic lights, strip malls, or banks. This mesmerizing stretch of coastline is located between Carmel (about ~45 min drive north) and San Simeon (roughly 1.5 hours drive south). It’s more of a state of mind rather than a specific point on a map, encompassing about 90 sunny Californian miles down the Pacific Coast Highway. Many people don’t actually realize this, but Big Sur is not an actual city/town for that matter. It’s always wise to bring along a jacket no matter what month you’ll be frolicking around Big Sur, as it never gets particularly hot hot hot, and temperatures are always cooler on the coast than in the mountains nearby. Temps are mild year round, ranging from a cool 60 degrees to a balmy 75 degrees F. Read Next: 25+ Long Weekend Trips from San Francisco Visiting between the months of November to March? It’s important to note that many businesses have shorter opening hours during the off-peak season. However, if you wait until the summer rush is over and visit during either September or October, you’ll experience less crowds and actually better weather! Not many out-of-towners know this, but coastal fog is another downside of a Big sur road trip during summertime it can hang around as late as midday! The fog is usually gone by early Fall, and you can even witness whales and butterflies this time of year (yes, really, if you know where to look!) You’ll find plenty of sunny days over here! Of courseeee this is when it’s most crowded, so if you hoping to have McWay Falls all to yourself, think again. Search for the cheapest car rentals over here! When to Visit Big Sur:īig Sur is most popular between April and October, when the weather is at it’s nicest. They check out all the major websites, and you can customize what you need as well! You’ll most likely be coming from the airport if you’re visiting, so aim to pick up your car rental from SFO. Renting a Car: Note that you’ll undoubtedly need a car for this Big Sur road trip (it is a mini road trip after all!) So if you’re visiting the area (or live in the city and don’t have access to a car), a car rental will be a necessity! I like to search via this site in order to compare rental companies to see who has the best price. You’ll most definitely wanna make a few stops along the way ( Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, Santa Cruz, and Carmel/Monterey are my favorites), so plan accordingly! From SF, Big Sur is about 2.5 hours south. If you’re from outta town, and by that not within driving distance, you’ll need to get yourself to SFO (San Francisco) first. Thankfully, getting to Big Sur is pretty easy, as long as you have a car.
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READ NEXT: 25+ Best Road Trips from San Francisco How to Get to Big Sur: It makes an excellent weekend trip from San Francisco, that’s for sure! Since the road to Big Sur is finally open again (after months of closure due to horrific mudslides), now’s the time to visit! Definitely don’t miss one of the most unforgettable stretches of majestic coastline in the world.

And just one reason it’s on every list of the most beautiful places in California.īig Sur is one of my favorite places IN THE WORLD (hands down) and one of my favorite road trips from San Francisco. Just a few of the things Big Sur is well-known for.
