Where Exactly Is Big Sur Located?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Big Sur Valley is located

26 miles South of Carmel on the central California coast

, surrounded by Ventana Wilderness Area and the Los Padres National Forest.

What city is Big Sur California in?


Big Sur Village
FIPS code 06-44427 GNIS feature ID 269849

Why is Big Sur so famous?


The stunning views, redwood forests, hiking, , and other recreational opportunities

have made Big Sur a popular destination for about 7 million people who live within a day's drive and visitors from across the world.

What is the best time of year to visit Big Sur?

The most popular time to visit Big Sur is between

April to October

, when the weather is nicest. (Though one should be warned that the marine layer coats much of the coast in the mornings during parts of the high season.) Businesses are not open as long during the off-peak season.

Where do you fly into for Big Sur?

The closest airport is

Monterey Regional (MRY)

(22 mi). Other nearby airports are San Jose (SJC) (75.67 mi), San Luis Obispo County (SBP) (96.69 mi) or San Francisco (SFO) (98.47 mi). KAYAK recommends you fly to San Francisco.

Is Big Sur near Santa Barbara?

The drive from Big Sur to Santa Barbara is

213 miles

(343 km).

Is Big Sur beautiful?


It's probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever been too

. You hike through redwood forests as well as see some beautiful beaches all in the same day. We hiked in Limekiln, Salmon Creek, and the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is where the famous McWay Falls is located (the waterfall right by the ocean).

Is Big Sur near San Francisco?

The Big Sur region is located

about halfway between LA and San Francisco

. This region in Central California features a rugged coastline and the famed Pacific Coast Highway.

What cities are near Big Sur California?

  • Monterey, CA.
  • Seaside, CA.
  • Pacific Grove, CA.
  • Gonzales, CA.
  • Marina, CA.
  • Soledad, CA.
  • Salinas, CA.
  • Greenfield, CA.

How far is Monterey from Big Sur?

How long is the drive from Big Sur to Monterey? The direct drive from Big Sur to Monterey is

28.0 mi (45 km)

, and should have a drive time of 45 mins in normal traffic.

Who owns Big Sur?

After 250 years,

Native American tribe

regains ownership of Big Sur ancestral lands. (CNN) — A northern California Indian tribe's sacred land is now back under their ownership, thanks to the help of a conservancy group.

Can you swim in Big Sur California?

Though Big Sur has a lot of ocean and many beaches, some of which have sand surfaces,

safe ocean swimming locations and times are rare

. The Big Sur coast has strong tides and currents, heavy waves, and cold water. Many have drowned while in the water or while climbing on shoreline rocks.

Is Big Sur open now?


Highway 1 is fully open

to travelers who may now travel without interruption from Monterey/Carmel area to Cambria/Morro Bay along the Big Sur Coast.

Does Big Sur have snow?

Average temperatures in Big Sur vary little. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with

a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year

.

Is Big Sur crowded?


At certain times of the year, Big Sur can become overwhelmingly crowded

. These times include many major U.S. holidays – New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Is Big Sur windy?


The most windy month in Big Sur is April when the average maximum windspeed is 27kmh and the average wind speed is 11kmh

. The least windy month in Big Sur is November when the average maximum windspeed is 22kmh and the average wind speed is 8kmh.

How many days do you need in Big Sur?

If you are staying in the area, we recommend spending at least

2-3 days

in the area. There are so many beautiful hikes, beaches, and nearby towns that will make it easy to fill those three days. One of the best parts about visiting Big Sur is not being rushed and taking the time to enjoy the area at a relaxing pace.

Does Amtrak go to Big Sur?


There's no train to Big Sur

. The big bus companies like Greyhound don't go there, either.

Is Big Sur on the way to Yosemite?

What is the closest airport to Napa Valley?


Napa County Airport

is the closest airport to Napa Valley and the wine country. The closest international airports to Napa Valley are Oakland International Airport, 50 miles south, and San Francisco International Airport, 55 miles south. Sacramento International Airport is 60 miles west of Napa Valley.

Where does Big Sur begin and end?

But if there's a first among equals on Highway 1, it's Big Sur. The 90-mile stretch of mountainous coast, which

starts around San Simeon and ends near Carmel Highlands just south of Monterey

, is packed with plenty of adventures worthy of a pit stop.

How many miles is Big Sur from Los Angeles?

How Far is Los Angeles to Big Sur? The distance from LA to Big Sur is approximately

315 miles

(507 kilometres) with a drive time of about 6 to 8 hours along Highway 1, depending on the traffic conditions. This is why we recommend planning to spend a few days doing this drive rather than taking it on all in one day.

Can you fly from LA to Big Sur?


The quickest way to get from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Big Sur is to fly which costs $190 – $470 and takes 1h 59m

. How far is it from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Big Sur? The distance between Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and Big Sur is 252 miles. The road distance is 310.5 miles.

Where does Big Sur get its name?

Big Sur is located along Scenic Highway One approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles. Historically, the name Big Sur, was

derived from that unexplored and unmapped wilderness area which lays along the coast south of Monterey

. It was simply called El Sur Grande, The Big South.

Why is Big Sur beautiful?

I looked up countless pictures of Big Sur before visiting, but none of them adequately prepared me for the immense natural beauty of the region.

The water is breathtakingly blue, and the craggy cliffs provide perfect vantage points for the shimmering ocean below

.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.