Heading to Big Sur? 5 Need-to-Knows

Food:

For day-trippers, I highly recommend bringing your own food as dining out can be pricey and limited. While Big Sur Bakery is delicious, but be aware that lines, especially in the morning, can be quite long. I personally waited for an hour.

Park Fee:

What's wonderful about state parks in Big Sur, such as Pfeiffer, is that for just $10 per car, you can enjoy access to any park in the area for the entire day.

When To Go:

During my summer visit, the weather was absolutely perfect. I strongly advise embracing an early start. Venturing out at 6 am, I found clear roads, perfect photo opportunities, and nearly empty trails with flawless weather. However, by around 11 am, traffic had picked up, parking lots were full, and there were tons of people around.

Cell Service:

Be sure to download your playlist before arriving in Big Sur, as cell service may not be available - it wasn't for me.

Navigating Big Sur:

Having a plan is great, but leave room for serendipity when driving on the PCH. Pull over whenever you can and take in the view! That's exactly how I stumbled upon The California Sea Otter State Game Refuge.