Big Sur, Monterey & Carmel: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Big Sur is a 145-kilometer stretch of rugged coastline along California Highway 1 between Carmel and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise directly from the Pacific. The Bixby Creek Bridge, a 218-meter-long concrete arch completed in 1932, is the most photographed landmark along the route. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park contains McWay Falls, an 24-meter waterfall that drops directly onto a beach cove. Pfeiffer Beach, accessible via a narrow 3-kilometer spur road, is known for its purple-hued sand created by manganese garnet deposits. is just one of many options in Monterey & Carmel. Major attractions worth considering include 17-Mile Drive, Cannery Row, and Carmel Mission.