Weekend getaway from San Francisco · #3 of 10
Big Sur
The iconic Highway 1 drive: Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls dropping 80 feet to the sand, purple-sand Pfeiffer Beach and redwood hikes, with cliff-top lunches at Nepenthe. Check Caltrans for road conditions before you go.
Picture 90 miles of jaw-dropping cliffs, towering redwood canyons, and untouched beaches stretching between Carmel and San Simeon, with barely a building in sight. Drift off to sleep under the giant redwoods by the Big Sur River and check off legendary spots like Bixby Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, and McWay Falls.
Getting there
The magic starts 15 minutes south of Carmel. Top off your tank there, because gas in Big Sur costs a fortune and stations are rare. Crucial tip: scan Caltrans road conditions first, since sudden slides can shut the highway down.
Day 1
Chasing coastal views: from the iconic Bixby Bridge straight into the redwoods- 18:00 AMDrive
Drive south to the Big Sur coast
Steer down US-101 and CA-1 past Carmel. The road gets skinny, the cliffs get steep, and the wild coastline truly begins. Every single bend is a postcard-worthy photo op.
Tip · Do not let a gray, foggy morning ruin your mood. It usually burns off by midday to reveal glorious blue skies.
- 211:00 AMSight
Bixby Creek Bridge
This stunning 1933 concrete arch stretches 320 feet across a massive canyon. It is easily one of the world's most famous bridges, so pull over safely and take in the sheer scale.
📍 Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur
Tip · Cops are strict about parking here. Use the designated dirt pullouts and never, ever stop directly on Highway 1.
- 312:00 PMActivity
Andrew Molera State Park walk
Unwind where the river meets the ocean. Easy trails wind through grassy meadows to a driftwood-covered beach that is blissfully quiet compared to the busy spots further south.
📍 Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur
Tip · You will cross a seasonal footbridge to reach the beach, so wear shoes that can handle a splash.
- 42:00 PMFood
Late lunch at Nepenthe
This legendary cliffside spot has dished up Ambrosia burgers 800 feet above the crashing waves since 1949. Waiting for a table is a rite of passage, and the view is worth every second.
📍 Nepenthe, Big Sur
Tip · If the wait upstairs is brutal, sneak downstairs to Cafe Kevah for a quicker bite with the same view.
- 54:00 PMActivity
Pfeiffer Falls redwood hike
Take a gentle 1.4-mile walk through giant, ancient redwoods to a beautiful 60-foot waterfall. It flows best between December and May, surrounded by lush green ferns.
📍 Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur
Tip · Take the quick Valley View detour for an incredible panorama of the entire river canyon.
- 66:30 PMFood
Dinner by the Big Sur River
Grab a table near the water in Big Sur Village. The local lodges and rustic roadhouses here serve everything from quick, juicy burgers to cozy dinners by a roaring fireplace.
📍 Big Sur Village, Big Sur
Tip · Life moves slowly here and kitchens close early. Plan to eat before 9 PM so you do not get left out in the cold.
- 78:00 PMStay
Overnight under the redwoods
Snuggle up in a cabin or pitch a tent under towering redwoods. With the river rushing nearby and zero city lights block the stars, it is the ultimate nature retreat.
📍 Big Sur, California
Tip · Beds are hard to come by in Big Sur. Book your spot weeks in advance, especially for sunny summer weekends.
Day 2
Purple sand beaches, dream waterfalls, and the scenic route home- 89:00 AMSight
Pfeiffer Beach's purple sand
Tucked away down a bumpy, unmarked road lies a beach famous for its magical purple sand and the massive Keyhole Rock archway standing proud in the crashing waves.
📍 Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
Tip · Keep an eye out for the yellow 'Narrow Road, No RVs' sign. The small lot fills up fast, so arrive early and bring ten dollars for the day-use fee.
- 911:30 AMSight
McWay Falls
The ultimate postcard view: a dramatic 80-foot waterfall dropping right onto the pristine sands of a turquoise ocean cove. A quick walk takes you to the perfect viewing spot.
📍 Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur
Tip · You cannot actually walk down to the beach, but the clifftop view is the real prize anyway. It is an easy 15-minute detour.
- 101:00 PMFood
Picnic lunch on the coast
Markets are practically nonexistent this far south, so pack some tasty snacks from the village and claim a scenic ocean turnout for your own private lunch spot.
📍 Big Sur, California
Tip · Restrooms are few and far between on the open highway. Make a pit stop at the state parks whenever you get the chance.
- 112:30 PMDrive
Drive north with viewpoint stops
Take it easy on the way back north. Pull over at the lookouts you missed and keep your eyes peeled for sea otters bobbing in the kelp, harbor seals, or migrating whales.
Tip · Do not hog the road if you are cruising slow. Use the turnouts to let the locals zoom past, they will thank you.
- 124:30 PMActivity
Golden-hour stop in Carmel
Break up the drive with a walk down Ocean Avenue in Carmel. Grab a hot coffee or an early dinner and head straight to the beach as the warm sunset colors hit the sand.
📍 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- 136:00 PMDrive
Home via US-101
Point your wheels north on CA-1, then connect to CA-156 and US-101. You should be back in San Francisco in about two and a quarter hours.
Where to eat
Sink your teeth into the famous Ambrosia burger on a terrace hanging 800 feet above the ocean. It has been a local tradition since 1949.
Tuck into big, comforting breakfasts and dinners under the giant trees at the rustic lodges dotted around Pfeiffer Big Sur.
When to go
The waterfall flow is at its peak, the hills are vibrant green, and colorful wildflowers burst to life before summer crowds arrive.
Say goodbye to summer fog and hello to the absolute clearest, sunniest blue skies of the entire year.
Keep your eyes on the horizon to spot migrating gray whales, and watch the local waterfalls roar after the winter rains.
The winter storms are spectacular, but mudslides can shut down parts of the highway. Check Caltrans updates before you head out.
Good to know
- Always check the Caltrans site for Highway 1 road closures before you head out. Big landslides are a regular thing here.
- Top off your gas tank in Carmel and make sure to download offline maps. You will lose cell service for almost the entire drive.
- Do not even think about parking on the narrow shoulder of Highway 1 by Bixby Bridge. Use the proper dirt pullouts instead.
- Reserve your cabin or campsite far in advance. There are very few beds along this wild coast, and they fill up fast.
