Big Sur
Highway 1 cliffs, redwood canyons and ocean views on California's Central Coast.
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Big Sur is a steep, mountainous stretch of California's Central Coast. The Santa Lucia Mountains climb straight out of the Pacific here, and Highway 1 is how most visitors see it. The narrow road is cut into seaside cliffs for long stretches, so ocean views fill much of the drive. McWay Falls, which drops directly into the sea at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, is one of the sights people plan around.
The coast draws about as many visitors a year as Yosemite National Park, but it has far fewer services, parking spots and restrooms. There are no chain hotels and fewer than 300 hotel rooms between San Simeon and Carmel, so book early for summer. Summer and fall are dry and sunny, with fog common along the coast. Highway 1 is often closed in winter by washouts and slides, so check road status before you drive.
Big Sur in five
- Check Highway 1 closures before you goLandslides and storms have closed sections of Highway 1 in past years. Check Caltrans QuickMap the day before and keep a flexible route.
- Fill up and download maps firstGas and food are limited, and cell service is patchy along the coast. Fill your tank in Carmel or Cambria, and download offline maps.
- Book lodging months aheadRooms and campsites are few and sell out far in advance in spring and summer. Day-trippers can stay in Monterey or Carmel instead.
- Park only at marked pulloutsTight curves and cliff edges make roadside stopping unsafe. Use official pullouts and state park lots, and check parking rules and fees.
- Handle entry paperwork before you plan the coast driveMany Big Sur trips start in San Francisco or San Jose, and either way an approved ESTA or visa has to exist before you fly. Apply on the official CBP site only.ESTA explained
Things to do in Big Sur
See all attractions in Big Sur
Need to know
- Airport
- Monterey (MRY), about 45 min to Big Sur; SJC or SFO about 2.5–3 hours
- Getting there
- Drive Highway 1 from Monterey or San Simeon; no public transit
- Getting around
- Car only; stops are spread along 90 miles of coast
- Best base
- Big Sur Village, or Monterey and Carmel for day trips
- Time needed
- 1 day for the drive; 2 to 3 nights to stay
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Green, rainJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, rain
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Green, rainFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, rain
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°WildflowersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wildflowers
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Mild, clearAprilClear
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- MayClear4 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Mild, fogMayClear
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fog
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh17°Low12°Fog, June gloomJuneClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, June gloom
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh17°Low13°Fog, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fog, busy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Busy, fogAugustClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy, fog
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh19°Low14°Clear, warmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, warm
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh18°Low13°Clear, warmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Clear, warm
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Rain beginsNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain begins
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Rain, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quiet
Average daily high and low in Big Sur, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Big Sur
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 67%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Big Sur
02:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°9°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°42%Tuesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Wed19°8°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu21°10°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri24°12°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat24°14°0%Saturday: Clear. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun25°15°1%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 25°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 12:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- SepMonterey Jazz FestivalMonterey, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Montereyabout 45 min by carAquarium, Cannery Row and waterfront paths.Read the guide
- Carmel-by-the-Seaabout 30 to 40 min by carA walkable village with galleries and a beach.
- Hearst Castleabout 1 hour south by carA hilltop mansion near San Simeon; tours need advance booking.
Before you go to Big Sur
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Rules for Big Sur, checked
- Confirm your US entry requirements, including whether you need ESTA, on the US State Department travel site before you fly.Source
- Highway 1 closes often after slides and storms. Check live closures on Caltrans QuickMap before you drive south from Carmel.Source
- Parking overnight or sleeping in a car along highways and local roads is illegal, and drivers are regularly cited. Use a designated campsite.
- Camp only in designated private, state or federal park campsites, or on US Forest Service land. Campfires are a serious fire risk in this dry region.
- Several beaches sit on private land and are closed to the public. Use only posted public access points and stay on public routes to avoid citations.
Plan around Big Sur
Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideMontereyAquarium and Cannery Row, the usual gateway
Read the guideSan FranciscoThe start or end of a Pacific Coast road trip
Read the guideLos AngelesThe southern end of a Highway 1 trip
Read the guideBerkeleyA calmer East Bay base for the Bay Area
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideBig Sur FAQ
Can you drive all of Highway 1 in Big Sur?
Sometimes. Landslides and storms cause closures, so check Caltrans before you go and keep a backup route in case a section is shut.
How many days do you need in Big Sur?
One long day covers the drive between Carmel and Ragged Point. Stay two or three nights to hike, watch the coast and avoid driving at dusk.
What is the best time to visit Big Sur?
March to May for green hills and wildflowers, and September to October for clearer weather. Summer fog and crowds are common.
Do you need a car in Big Sur?
Yes. There is no public transit along the highway and stops are far apart.
Where should you stay for Big Sur?
In Big Sur Village if you want the canyons, or in Monterey or Carmel for more options and flexibility. Book months ahead in peak months.