Big Sur

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Big Sur

Big Sur

4.9
4.5/5
110 reviews
Big Sur is located on the central coastline of California, about 240 kilometers from San Francisco, about 2 hours' drive, and about 6 hours' drive from Los Angeles. Starting from San Francisco, driving north to south along California Highway 1, there are seaside views all the way, but the attraction is Big Sur. When it comes to Big Sur, I mean the 90-mile winding coast road from Carmel to San Simeon. This section of California Highway 1 is narrow and winding, and at the same time, it is very high from the sea level, and there is a danger of roadside rocks rolling down at any time. It is one of the most dangerous highway sections in California. However, this road is also known as the most beautiful seascape road in the world, and it is known as the most beautiful place in the world where land and sea meet.Big Sur · 7m from downtown
Bixby Bridge

Bixby Bridge

4.5
4.0/5
2 reviews
Bixby Bridge is a suspension bridge that is part of a magnificent coastline, known for its beautiful views and unique architectural style. Its design blends architectural elements from Europe and the United States, showcasing the essence of modern American architecture. Visitors can admire its exquisite carvings and decorations, appreciating the architect's artistic creation and design. In addition to admiring the bridge itself, visitors can stroll through the surrounding natural views and enjoy the beautiful coastline and spectacular ocean views.Monterey County · 14km from Big Sur
Pfeiffer Beach

Pfeiffer Beach

3.4
5.0/5
36 reviews
Pfeiffer Beach is located along Highway 1 in California and is one of the more popular beaches in the area. This is the rare purple sand beach in the world. Vigorous weathering causes rocks with high manganese content to disintegrate into sand scattered on the beach, making the beach dark purple and very romantic. Entering from the entrance of the beach, you will see a door-shaped reef with a hollow in the center, through which you can see the sea level, and the continuous influx of sea water is also very distinctive.Big Sur · 3.7km from downtown
McWay Falls

McWay Falls

4.2
3.4/5
19 reviews
McWay Falls is located within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and is a uniquely scenic waterfall. While most waterfalls are hidden deep in forests, McWay Falls cascades directly into the ocean, creating a magnificent sight. There is a hiking trail next to the waterfall that leads to the coast. Standing here, you can gaze out at the endless Pacific Ocean. If you happen to be there at sunrise or sunset, the changing colors of the sky reflect on the sea, which is truly breathtaking.Monterey County · 17.5km from Big Sur
Rocky Creek Bridge

Rocky Creek Bridge

3.7
3.5/5
54 reviews
The bridge with a total length of 218 meters spans a huge deep stream. From a distance, it is very spectacular and steep. The arched bridge hole is beautifully set off by the blue sea. It is known as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. It seems to be the landmark of Big Sur, and almost everyone will get off the car and appreciate its artificial shape and natural sea and sky background. In addition, many TV commercials for cars in the United States are shot here.Monterey County · 14.8km from Big Sur
Carmel-By-The-Sea

Carmel-By-The-Sea

5.7
4.4/5
373 reviews
Carmel-By-The-Sea is a coastal, artistic town on the Monterey Peninsula and a popular stopover on the Highway 1 self-drive route. Many travelers connect it with the17 Mile Dras they head south. The town's character dates back to the early 20th century. After the San Francisco earthquake, a group of poets, painters, and writers moved here, gradually developing it into an art-centric seaside community. To this day, the town is still dotted with independently owned galleries, craft shops, and bookstores. Architecture is another hallmark of the town: the fairy-tale cottage style, pioneered by architect Hugh Comstock in the 1920s, endures to this day. Pointed roofs, shingled walls, and whimsical chimneys can be found throughout the streets, with the Hansel and Gretel cottages, named after the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel," being particularly famous. The town has no street numbers, no neon signs, and chain brands are hard to find, making a stroll through it feel like being in the European countryside. Visits usually center around Ocean Avenue, where galleries and boutiques are tucked away in the alleys on both sides of the main street. At the end of the street lies Carmel Beach, where fine, soft white sand and the silhouettes of coastal pine trees make it a great place to watch the sunset. Self-drive travelers can also take a scenic drive along Scenic Road, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and unique coastal cottages on the other.Carmel-by-the-Sea · 33.3km from Big Sur
17 Mile Dr
Selected for Fall Viewing Attractions in United States

17 Mile Dr

5.8
4.5/5
291 reviews
17 Mile Dr is a coastal scenic road that runs through the private coastal community of Pebble Beach, named for its total length of approx. 17 miles. On one side of the road are the rolling pine forests and Monterey cypress of the Del Monte Forest, and on the other is the rocky coastline of the Pacific Ocean, with over 10 viewpoints along the way. The iconic view of this scenic route is The Lone Cypress, a Monterey cypress that has grown alone on a granite rock for approx. two and a half centuries. It has long been considered the symbol of Pebble Beach and is a highly popular photo spot along the entire route. Bird Rock is home to flocks of seabirds, sea lions, and harbor seals all year round. The rocks are stained white by years of bird droppings, making it a lively place. In the Seal Rock area, you can often see seals lazily basking in the sun. Spanish Bay features an open beach, a rarity along the route, where visitors stack smooth pebbles into small towers. At sunset, a bagpiper plays by the sea, a tradition that has continued for decades. China Rock holds the history of Chinese fishermen who sought shelter and settled there, while Ghost Tree has become a unique photography subject with its twisted, bleached trunk. There are many attractions along the way. The scenic route also passes through several championship-level golf courses, including the prestigious Pebble Beach Golf Links.Del Monte Forest · 39km from Big Sur
CA-1
2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

CA-1

6.7
4.8/5
499 reviews
CA-1 is a highly iconic coastal self-drive route on the West Coast of the United States, stretching over 1,000 km along the Pacific coastline and connecting coastal towns from the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, and Morro Bay all the way to Los Angeles. Its highlight is concentrated in the Big Sur section between Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and San Simeon: the road winds along steep cliffs, with the surging Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains and redwood forests on the other. There are many scenic parking areas along the way where you can pull over at any time to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the waves crash against the cliffs. There are several highly recognizable scenes along this section: the Bixby Bridge, which spans the canyon, is an elegantly designed concrete arch bridge, and there are almost always vehicles parked at the bridgehead for photos; McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park drops directly from the cliff top onto the beach in the cove, making it a rare beach waterfall in California; the sand at Pfeiffer Beach has a faint purple hue due to the weathering of manganese garnet in the cliffs; further south in the San Simeon area, groups of northern elephant seals can be seen sunbathing on the beach year-round, and you can also visit Hearst Castle on the mountain nearby. The Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey at the northern end and the town of Carmel-By-The-Sea also have their own unique charm.Monterey County · 54km from Big Sur
Yosemite National Park
2026 Global 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions

Yosemite National Park

7.8
4.4/5
288 reviews
Yosemite National Park was designated a World Natural Heritage site in 1984. The park's core feature is its granite landscape carved by glaciers, and most of the area is a wilderness preserve, preserving its pristine natural environment. Yosemite Valley is the core area for sightseeing, gathering many of the park's iconic views. El Capitan is a massive granite monolith that rises straight up, with a vertical height of approx. 900m, and is a classic challenge for rock climbers from all over the world; Half Dome is the symbol of the park with its unique semi-domed shape; Yosemite Falls cascades down in three sections: upper, middle, and lower, with a total drop of approx. 739m. Tunnel View near the valley entrance offers a view where you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall in the same frame. The park also contains several giant sequoia groves, such as Mariposa, where giant sequoias aged hundreds to thousands of years old grow. Glacier Point is a high-altitude observation deck for overlooking the panoramic view of the valley, and hiking up the Mist Trail allows you to experience the misty spray of the waterfall up close. Hiking in the valley, sightseeing at Glacier Point, and taking photos at Tunnel View are all classic choices for visiting the park.United States · Mariposa County
Alcatraz Island
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in San Francisco

Alcatraz Island

7.6
4.6/5
562 reviews
Alcatraz Island stands isolated in San Francisco Bay, facing Fisherman's Wharf across the water. To reach the island, visitors must take a ferry from nearby Pier 33. In 1775, Spanish explorers mapping the bay named it "Isla de los Alcatraces" (Island of the Pelicans) due to the abundance of seabirds. However, this small island later became world-famous for its "devilish" reputation: from 1850, it first served as a military fortress guarding the bay entrance, then became a military prison. From 1934 to 1963, it operated as a high-security federal penitentiary housing over a thousand inmates including Al Capone. No escape attempts were ever confirmed successful. The island served as a filming location for "The Rock," and its English name inspired "Azkaban" in Harry Potter. From 1969 to 1971, a 19-month Native American occupation made it an important landmark in the American civil rights movement. Now the entire island is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, where abandoned prison cells, old lighthouses, and weathered barracks still retain their original layout. The prison cells along the main corridor, "Broadway," are open to visitors, with permanent exhibitions recounting the island's past. Put on headphones, and the audio guide plays firsthand accounts from former guards and inmates. Between the cliffs and shrubs, seabirds like western gulls, cormorants, and black-crowned night herons nest and thrive. The blend of profound history and bay wildlife makes it one of San Francisco's most distinctive destinations.United States · San Francisco

Experiences you can't miss in Big Sur

Featured Outdoor experiences in Big Sur

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San Francisco best tour ② | Stanford university + Silicon valley + Carmel-by-the-Sea + Big sur group day tour
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FromRUB 12,422.37
Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour
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Duration: 6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromRUB 19,025.20
San Francisco redwood forest steam train + Santa Cruz wharf 1-day tour | Niche experience
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FromRUB 8,447.21
1-day tour to 17 Mile Dr, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Beach and Lovers Point Park in the US
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FromRUB 12,422.37
CA-1 | 17-mile drive coastal highlights check in 1-day tour
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Duration: 12 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromRUB 14,596.28
1-day tour of CA-1, 17 Mile Dr and Carmel Beach in San Francisco
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FromRUB 12,422.37

Featured Nature & wildlife in Big Sur

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Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
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4.8/5
· 724 reviews· 25 booked
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
96.4% of travelers recommend
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromRUB 4,867.15RUB 5,123.32
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide
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4.7/5
· 67 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
92.5% of travelers recommend
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromRUB 5,515.98RUB 5,806.3
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
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4.9/5
· 276 reviews
Duration: 3–4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
81 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromRUB 5,887.88RUB 6,197.77
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour
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4.9/5
· 152 reviews
Duration: 90 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
97.4% of travelers recommend
FromRUB 3,745.85
Monterey Bay Whale Watching
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Duration: 2–3 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromRUB 5,822.71
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 75 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromRUB 5,102.77RUB 5,371.34
Monterey: 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour
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5.0/5
· 7 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromRUB 6,201.74RUB 6,528.15
Monterey: Tide Pooling Tour with Naturalist Guide
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromRUB 4,593.72RUB 4,835.5

Free things to do in Big Sur

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What travellers say about Big Sur

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sculptor2 May 2022
4.0
大瑟尔是美国西海岸加利福尼亚中央海岸崎岖多山的地区,位于卡梅尔和圣西蒙之间,圣卢西亚山脉从太平洋陡然升起,这里是美国西海岸风景最漂亮的海岸线。

Big Sur

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健康美丽的芳芳20 September 2020
5.0
Pfeiffer Beach is a sandy beach close to Highway 1. The sea and sky are truly one color. The scenery is so beautiful that it makes people feel suffocated. The air is also very fresh. There are really no words to describe it.

Pfeiffer Beach

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DEAR张小球23 April 2020
5.0
The waterfall is located in Big Sur, and it is also a popular attraction on Highway 1. However, we gave up this attraction due to time constraints, which is a bit of a pity. If you have enough time, don't miss this attraction.

McWay Falls

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chenweiwen22 April 2021
5.0
The Bixby Bridge is an open single arch bridge with a span of about 100 meters, making it the longest concrete arch bridge in the California highway system. It is located in Big Sur, California, about 190 kilometers south of San Francisco. The budget for the construction of the bridge was nearly $200,000. Before the bridge opened in 1932, residents of the Big Sur area were almost cut off from the outside world during the winter. The Bixby River under the bridge was named after Charles Henry Bixby, who came from Livingston County, New York, and came to the Monterey Peninsula in 1868. He bought a large piece of land in the Big Sur area and worked in the production of railroad sleepers.

Rocky Creek Bridge

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Lavender and Sun24 May 2022
5.0
Carmel is an exquisite seaside literary town on the Monterey Peninsula of the United States. It is located about two miles south of the famous tourist attraction 17 Mile on the west coast of the United States and about two hours' drive from San Francisco. Carmel was founded in the early 20th century.

Carmel-By-The-Sea

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Apple17 July 2025
5.0
The 17-mile toll road is highly recommended. It costs about $12 and includes Bird Rock, a stunning private residence, a golf course, and a sapphire blue coastline. Every time you visit a photo spot, you will be amazed.

17 Mile Dr

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 May 2026
5.0
Driving along California's Highway 1, my hands were aching from gripping the wheel for so long. The coastal section was winding and twisting, with waves crashing white against the cliffs below. I stopped by the roadside to watch the seals; those lazy guys just rolled on their backs, not moving an inch. The Big Sur Bridge was quite photogenic, but I was too busy watching the road to cross it. We kept stopping and starting, turning into every viewpoint we saw to enjoy the breeze. Just as the gas tank was almost empty, we arrived in town; a burger and a Coke were the perfect comfort food.

CA-1

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印象西南28 November 2025
5.0
A Natural Epic Hidden in Time – A Travelogue of Yosemite After a four-hour drive deep into the mountains of California, the outline of Yosemite gradually comes into view. This land, chosen by Apple as the name for its operating system, holds a miracle sculpted by the Earth over millions of years; every step forward is a gentle embrace of nature's power. Entering the park on a sunny day, the Tunnel View observation deck was a delightful first impression. The silhouette of the Half Dome in the distance was sharp and distinct, El Capitan's granite cliffs pierced the clouds, Bridal Veil Falls cascaded like a veil, and the valleys and peaks unfolded like a flowing painting under the sunlight—no wonder it has become a classic filming location for countless people. Strolling slowly along the park's loop road, the Cook Meadow's boardwalk is lined with lush vegetation. Looking up, you can see the magnificent Yosemite Falls—the tallest waterfall in the United States. The spray from its cascading water creates shimmering light in the wind. Reaching the valley floor and looking up, the roar is a testament to nature's overwhelming power. The most unforgettable experience was an afternoon on the Merced River, renting a raft and drifting along. The clear water carried us past verdant banks, occasionally catching glimpses of deer drinking. In the distance, the redwoods swayed gently in the wind, their bark etched with the marks of time. As evening fell, the setting sun bathed the granite cliffs in warm orange hues, and the silhouette of the semi-domed building was reflected in the river beneath the Sentinel Bridge, creating a scene of tranquility and gentle beauty. As night falls, the clear night sky is studded with stars. Undisturbed by city lights, the Milky Way's outline is clearly visible. The evening breeze carries the fresh scent of grass and earth, allowing one to forget all the hustle and bustle. Hiking is the perfect way to connect with this land. The Mist Trail's stone steps, though steep, offer close-up views of the waterfalls' coolness. The mist dampens your clothes, and the joyful song of the flowing water fills your ears. Reaching the top, you'll overlook the valley, a vast and clear panorama stretching out before you. Along the way, you might encounter climbers with backpacks, steadily making their way to the summit of El Capitan. Their silhouettes on the rock face are the best testament to courage and passion. Lively creatures abound in the park: squirrels dart through the trees, eagles soar in the sky, and occasionally, you might catch a glimpse of a black bear, stopping to observe from a distance, respecting the unspoken harmony with nature. Yosemite boasts a unique charm in each season, and in this warm, sunny weather, there is both the brightness of summer and the slight chill of early autumn. Every scene here needs no deliberate seeking; whether it's the breathtaking view from the glacier, the tranquility beneath the redwood forest, or the brilliance under the starry sky, they all speak of nature's inclusiveness and grandeur. Looking back at the mountains as I leave, my heart is filled with reluctance. This land not only possesses magnificent scenery but also an awe-inspiring vitality. The peaks I've seen, the waterfalls I've heard, and the gentle breezes I've felt have become the most precious imprints of time, awaiting our next reunion.

Yosemite National Park

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Z-Deng20 September 2026
5.0
Really enjoyed visiting Alcatraz Island! The ferry ride over had great views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The self-guided cellhouse tour was very interesting, especially hearing the stories about the prison and its former inmates. The whole experience was well organized and definitely worth visiting if you’re in San Francisco. Highly recommended!

Alcatraz Island

Popular cities near Big Sur

Frequently asked questions

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include San Francisco best tour ② | Stanford university + Silicon valley + Carmel-by-the-Sea + Big sur group day tour, Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour, and San Francisco redwood forest steam train + Santa Cruz wharf 1-day tour | Niche experience. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 15 October 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Big Sur is around RUB 8,447.21 – RUB 19,025.2. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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