Big Sur
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May 2005
Re: 10th Anniversary romantic getaway
Well, two places that I would consider for romantic getaways if I had the money
to splurge (they are both VERY expensive, but GORGEOUS):
Post Ranch Inn (www.postranchinn.com)
Ventana resort (www.ventanainn.com)
These are both located in Big Sur, and I think would be lovely regardless of the
time of year or the weather, since they have beautiful accommodations that
have fireplaces and breathtaking views (so even if it's raining, you can snuggle
in a gorgeous room by a fire). Both have separate cottages/buildings if you
want something detatched and more private, and these are really special,
romantic splurges. I've been longing to go myself, but need to save my
pennies, first! I won't say any more, go to the web site and look at the photos, I
think they'll speak for themselves.
Best of luck!
Big Sur Bound (someday)
Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur has nice rooms (be sure to get an
ocean view) and a great restaurant, but other activities such as
hiking, biking and the beach could be dicey in December.
Feb 2005
I am looking for a reasonably priced, clean and charming hotel in Big
Sur. We will have no kids.
I checked previous postings, but they are all about larger cabins for
families.
Thank you.
My husband and I really loved Deetjen's(sp?) Big Sur Inn. We
stayed in a tiny room, just the two of us. Cosy, lovely setting
and a really good restaurant as part of the hotel. The prices
weren't rock bottom cheep, but affordable and worth it. This
was about 3 years ago, but I'd be surprised if anything has
changed in terms of quality. Check it out. I'm sure you'll love
it.
Leslie
Try Deetjen's in Big Sur. Wonderful.
www.deetjens.com
anon
If you want to splurge, there is always the Post Ranch Inn and
Ventana. They usually have some sort of mid-week package deal
that includes lodging, some meals and a few spa treatments. I
guess it depends on what you mean by 'reasonably priced'.
I'd swear there was an article in San Francisco Magazine not
that long ago about places to stay in Big Sur. Maybe go to the
libary and browse some back issues?
Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is very charming, fun. Not fancy but
really nice.
On the relative cheap, get a quaint room overlooking the babbling
brook in Big Sur Village at the River Inn, (
http://www.bigsurriverinn.com ) where the food is good and the
fireplace is always stoked. You can eat there or head down the
coast for dinner another ten miles or so to Nepenthe (
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com ), which is an excellent place for
a sunset/evening dinner and hanging out afterward by the fire
ring. If you are into a really wonderful late night adventure,
the Esalen Hot Springs are open to the public, but only very late
at night. Check them out at http://www.esalen.com/ . Esalen is
about 30 miles south of Big Sur Village, which is almost exactly
25 miles south of the intersection of Route 68 and Route 1 on the
coast in Carmel.
During the day, a couple miles south of Big Sur Village down a
nondescript road (and a SHARP left turn!) is Pfeiffer Beach,
truly one of the most incredible beaches in all of California.
It's managed by the feds and has a $5 per day use fee, well worth
it. Further south on the coast highway, about 300 yards short of
the Pfeiffer State Park entrance and on the right hand side, is a
short pullout overlooking a bluff where you can get out and peer
down at one of the most incredible beach watefalls on the West
Coast. It looks like Blue Lagoon - water cascading down from the
cliffs into the surf, and a beautiful, pristine piece of beach.
Last but not least by any stretch, consider heading down the
coast highway another 60 miles south of Big Sur Village to
Piedras Blancas near San Simeon. Ironically, Valentines Day is
the height of elephant seal mating season and there is a docent
area where you can pull off and park, walk about 20 steps, and
you'll be within 100 feet of more than a 1,000 (yup, no
exaggeration!) elephant seals... It is the most incredible thing
I have ever seen in California and it should not be missed,
especially at this very special time. You can read more about it
at: http://www.elephantseal.org For those who have trekked to Aqo
Nuevo to see the elephant seals, this will dwarf that experience
forever, I promise.
Happy trails! Big Sur is magic.
mrm
March 2004
We are planning to camp at Big Sur in June. Can anyone recommend
a good campground for tent camping with an 9 and 3 year old? Are
reservations allowed, and how hard are they to get?
Thanks!
jeanne
There is camping at Big Sur State Park. I stayed there a few
years ago and it was fine. There are hiking trails and a
visitor center, and it's centrally located on the Big Sur
coast. Coincidentally, I drove past the front gate on
Saturday. There was a sign that said ''camp ground full'', so it
appears to be a popular place to stay. Don't know about
reservations, you could probably find some info from the State
Park's website. There are a few private campgrounds in the
area, however I don't know their names and haven't stayed in any
of them.
If you want to reserve a summer weekend camping spot on the Big
Sur coast, make your reservation now. State Parks sites fill up
in April.
Or you can stay at a first-come, first-served spot like Andrew
Molera State Park. I stayed there last July, mid-week with my
2.5 and 7 year old and we had the pick of camp sites. It's a
long walk in with some steps, so you'll need to be prepared
(e.g. bring back packs). The camping area is flat -- good place
for the kids to run around. It was more work than car side
camping but prettier; you could go for lots of nice walks right
from your camp site and you don't have to worry about cars and
your kids.
Warning: Andrew Molera is right on the coast and in summer (esp.
July and August) the wind can absolutely howl. You will be much
more sheltered inland at Julia Pfieffer (sp?) and the other
inland sites. But Andrew Molera is still my favorite.
camping lover
Look into Ventana Campground, it's next to the Ventana Resort.
Since it's privately owned it can be easier to get a
reservation there than the ones that are run by the park
service. We've camped there a couple of times and thought it
was great, a little rustic with lots of redwoods and pretty
quiet. Have fun!
jackie
Feb. 2002
Does anyone have a recommendation on Big Sur weekend lodging for two
families with small kids? We're four adults and four children (6 months,
18 months, 2 years and 4 years). I've already checked the places
recommended on the website (Ripplewood Resort and Deetjans)and have
struck out for the dates we are looking for. Ideally, we'd like to find
a two bedroom house or cottage that is available for weekend rental. Any
recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Rliebler
There is a lodge called the Big Sur Lodge in Julia Pfeiffer
State Park. There are nice cabins/cottages some of
which have kitchenettes. There is a pool on the grounds.
We haven't been for a number of years, but remember it
being well-kept and in beautiful surroundings. It is
close to hiking trails. There is a beautiful beach
nearby that they can give you directions to. Sorry,
I don't have the tel. no., but have gotten it in the
past from information. Have fun!
Pam
Note from Myriam:
Website with online reservation form here:
http://www.bigsurlodge.com/
2000
RE: getaway with an infant
When my daughter was about 9 months old, we stayed at the Ripplewood cabins
in Big Sur for a few nights. I think it was about $90/night. We got a one
bedroom cabin with a kitchen and living room with fireplace and a nice deck.
We set up our daughter's portacrib in the living room. It was nice having a
kitchen for the easy meals at home, and we found wonderful restaurants
nearby. Although the restaurants at first seemed expensive, we found that
the portions were huge and that sharing an appetizer, entree and dessert was
more then enough to eat for the two of us. Also, the restaurants were also
family friendly and very accomodating
Shoshana
I am hoping to visit Big Sur over Memorial Day weekend, with my then
3-year-old. Assuming I'm not too late to make plans, can anyone recommend a
comfortable place to stay that is child-friendly, and not too outrageously
expensive? (or if you can recommend any other nature-oriented outing I'd be
happy to get recommendations).
I highly recommend a place called "Deetjens" (I think that is the
spelling)...it is on Highway 1 near Big Sur and is a lovely cabin-like
place which was built from found wood in the area...very rustic and
charming...there are no locks on the doors, though, which may be a prob
with a 3-year-old...even if you don't stay there, go for dinner or
breakfast...they have several fireplaces in the restaurant and excellent
pancakes!
Sharon
10/99
Jennifer
We are looking for a place to stay around Big Sur for 5 adults and 5 kids
(one 7 year-old, two 5 year-olds, a 16-month old and a 8-month old) for two
nights (10/29 and 10/30). I know this is very short notice and probably hard
to get something. We are also considering camping. Any ideas? Thanks for any
suggestions.
David
We like the Ripplewood Resort. Their number is 831-667-2242 and they have a
web site which shows the floor plans of their cabins. They have a number of
nice, rustic cabins, all under $100 per night. The ones we like are in the
woods with decks overlooking the river. They have kitchens, fireplaces
(bring or buy wood), separate bedrooms, and spare beds in the living area.
We're actually going for a week in November and they are probably booked up
for the times you want to go--but check for cancellations or at least keep
them in mind for next time.
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