A Big Sur vacation hotel stay will include
miles of beach exploration, although the beaches you'll actually get to put
your feet on will usually be limited to
the state beaches with permitted access or beaches on property where you are
staying.
The photos below show areas on
Highway 1, the incredibly scenic highway which provides access to Big Sur, but these beaches are out of reach. They can only be accessed and
enjoyed with your camera or a pair of binoculars. That makes the
beaches here pretty special when you consider the millions of people living
in California and millions more driving the Big Sur coast on a vacation who
will not set foot on the beaches and coves you can enjoy from hilltop
vantage points or mountain slopes where your car is parked and you gaze all
around you, soaking up the experience.
It doesn't get much more real than
the feeling of the Pacific Ocean breeze blowing in your face, birds diving
and darting down to their protected spots and you, the artist, sizing up
your scene for a photo or image you'll hold in your imagination for future
reference. As you can see from the pictures, some beaches are located at the
base of sheer or gradual sloping cliffs where the earth and rock is
extremely unstable. Keep a keen eye on the kids if you have toddlers with
you on this trip. Also, bring seasick medication for those who cannot handle
hairpin turns in the road (there are many).
Big Sur is comprised
of a hearty bunch of residents who live in small hamlets and towns where
services such as gasoline for your car, food and accommodations can be
obtained. Little places called Gorda Springs by the Sea and Ragged Point
offer descriptive names of mountain villages with just a handful of people..
Big Sur is organized, however, into a strong community and actually holds
events such as annual Big Sur Run.
For those passing through one of
Californiaa's greatest treasure lands, you'll find the Pacific Ocean waters
more aqua colored than any place in California (except for Catalina Island,
perhaps). The water serves up shades of blue like some exotic cocktail at a
nightclub. The beaches can be small, consisting of small coves.
Big Sur is probably not appropriate
for someone who gets bored easily. There aren't a lot of city attractions
and things to do. There are no theme parks, no Burger Kings and mostly, it's
just nature. You can calm down, chill out and watch the birds, bugs and
occasional airplanes to remind you civilization is just over the mountain.
For the tourist, don't drive Big Sur
if you are in a hurry or lack patience. The roads are windy, sometimes
featuring hairpin turns. Those who take the journey like to stop often for
photos and the number of cars pulling off the road onto the shoulder could
start to annoy you.
But if you love the California coast
and just like to look, you will find gazing in Big Sur one of the top
activities and you will be welcomed to stay and soak it up. There are
parks with beaches, hiking and a host of nature activities. The hotels are
not cheap. There is such a limited amount of hotel space that you can
expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a night's stay. But when you see the surroundings, you will decide that this is a real treat and something you
may not have an opportunity to come back to and enjoy again because the road
is remote and there's a faster driver between Los Angeles and San Francisco
on the other side of the mountain. Highway 101 and Interstate 5 both provide
north - south routes between the major cities.
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Big Sur Vacation - Big Sur Vacation Photos |
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