Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Lodging, Accommodations, Camping

Welcome to the Big Sur, California Chamber of Commerce website, your resource guide to California's central coast. This is the official, complete, and definitive travel guide to all lodging, camping, restaurants, gift shops, art galleries and gift shops in Big Sur.

Its time to plan your fall and winter vacation and getaway to Big Sur. Join us and witness the changing of the seasons.

Wildflowers are throwing accents of color against the hillsides in all seasons. Fall colors are sprinkling in now. Monarch butterflies are arriving at Andrew Molera State Park on their annual migration with songbirds from far away.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sancturary off the Big Sur coast looks stunning in the Fall and Winter Light.

California Condors are flying overhead throughout Big Sur. Humpback and Blue whales are feeding along Big Sur. These are just a few of the natural wonders that make Big Sur a great place to visit. come on out and watch the natural magic unfold before your eyes, or create your own.

From Big Sur luxury hotels and spas to rustic creekside campgrounds we believe Big Sur offers The Best in a wide variety of possibilities and we think you'll agree. Join us for a romantic getaway and come share with us one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world. Winter camping; one of Big Surs' best kept secrets.

The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce extends congratulations to three of their members; Post Ranch Inn and Ventana Inn & Spa for garnering some of the highest rankings in the Travel and Leisure top 500 hotels in the world. Post Ranch Inn recieved the highest ranking of all hotels in California (#1). Treebones Resort is one of the 10 best coastal eco-resorts in the world, according to Coastal Living magazine's April issue. More in In The News.

Big Sur, offering the best lodging in Monterey County and the best lodging in California. Big Sur also offers the "Best Restaurant in California."

California Scenic Highway America's Byways
Highway 1 through Big Sur designated American National Scenic Byway & California Scenic Highway, an honor reserved for highways that are so distinctive they are destinations unto themselves.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS:
Traveler's Choice 2008 Award Winner for Top 25 Destinations in the United States. Big Sur was voted #3 destination in the US. Travelers' Choice Top Destinations in the World Big Sur was honored with the rankingof 28th Top Destinations in the World.
In other awards, Big Sur was voted "Best Place to Play Hookie," and "Best Romantic Getaway." Big Sur is also home of the "Best Marathon in North America" and the "Best Hotel in North America." Adding to our 'best of' list, Big Sur is now home to the "Best Restaurant in California," per the Zagat Survey. National Geographic Traveler listed Big Sur as one of the "50 Places of a Lifetime/The World's Greatest Destinations." Playboy Magazine rates Post Ranch Inn as one of the "sexiest" places on earth (Feb. '07). Consistently a 'top pick' for weekend getaways and fantasy vacations." Home to Traveler's Choice "Ten Greenest Accommodations in the World" award to Post Ranch Inn which ranked #3 in the world for greenest hotel, which gives them the #1 ranking for greenest lodging in Big Sur.

In the News - a collection of news related articles or links to articles about Big Sur that are in current newspapers or publications. Example: Smart Money Magazine rates Big Sur #7 in its "30 Trips of a Lifetime."

Historical Big Sur Postcards. We have put together a couple pages of historical postcards of Big Sur. If you have one to contribute, please feel free to contact us.

Local Hiking
From beaches to mountains... Hike along the streams in the cool, tree lined valleys. Climb up on the high ridges for a spectacular view of the coastline on the western slope and gaze into three million acres of wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest on the eastern slope.

Evenings offer the opportunity to dine in restaurants from fanciful to exquisite. Relax in lodging that ranges from rustic to luxurious. Camp out in the many well equipped campgrounds. Luxuriate at the local health spas. And of course one of the favorite past-times of Big Sur, Do Nothing!

That's right. Relax and take in the magnificent beauty of Big Sur. Once you are here there is no reason to do anything more. Replenish your spirit by simply absorbing the weepingly beautiful vistas of Big Sur. Do Nothing in Big Sur and leave refreshed and rejuvenated from head to toe. Big Sur has been here for millions of years. We don't have that luxury. Make your reservation today!

It is here in Big Sur that I first learned how to say Amen
~ Henry Miller

Local weather information for Big Sur including hourly forecast, averages and records, and detailed forecast. Evenings can offer spectacularly clear skies, which are perfect for star gazing. Bring layers of clothing because at this time of year it can be sunny in the afternoon and very cool in the evening.

BIG SUR HIGHWAY CONDITIONS
For information about Highway One through Big Sur you can check local highway conditions through the California Department of Transportation or by calling (800) GAS--ROAD (427-7623) within California and (916) 445-7623 from outside of California.

Monarch Butterflies

California Condors
Elephant Seals

Gray Whales
Gray whale migration will be passing Big Sur beginning in mid-November. Bring binoculars and watch this spectacular event from the roadside turnouts.

Breaching humpback whales - photo by Daniel Bianchetta
Humpback Whales
Blue Whales
>>More information about the Ecology of Big Sur.

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce

Big Sur Information Guide