Big Sur Trips

Excursions to the storied
coastal sanctuary of
inspiration and wild nature.

Sign up

Day Trip One

See and feel the real Big Sur. A day of experiencing the rare nature and culture of this fantastic coast.

Our schedule is to pick you up at Carmel Crossroads 10 AM – and return you at 5 PM.

Ride in a comfortable mini coach along the spectacular Big Sur Coast and through the redwoods. Take interpretive walks into the cultural and natural history of fabled Big Sur.

You will see and feel the boldest meeting of land and sea in an inspiring scene, and will become part of it in this knowledageable experience.

Our first stop is Grimes Point to see California Condors, a favorite haunt above the Steller sea lion rookery, and watch for whales, dolphin, sea otters, sea birds, yuccas and the incredible coast – We see how the wondrous landscape evolved over millions of years to make this setting of rivers and forests flourish with such an abundance of plants and animals – a showcase for land and sea interaction.

World renowned Bixby Bridge is a superb achievement. Its vantage of ocean and mountain canyon is unique. And its construction is a wonder. Next comes the glorious entrance of the Little Sur River to the Pacific.

We arrive at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park about 11 AM and walk out to the waterfall overlook.

Here we learn the panorama of Big Sur history – the native ecology – the exploits of pioneers and visionaries – of astonishing geology – and bold challenge to conserve native California.

For the venturesome we will trek to the amazing
canyon waterfall that winds through a 12,000 year
old redwood (honest! – it is 6 iterations of the same
tree) sublimely, seamlessly intertwined with a
crystalline granite block.

We walk in the redwoods into McWay Canyon
along the creek for lunch.

Visit artisan workshops and see the famous art haunts.

Next, on to Coast Gallery – then the Phoenix at Nepenthe – featured in the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton seminal movie, The Sandpiper, that symbolizes the bohemian era of Big Sur.

Before returning we will enjoy a wine tasting at the Big Sur Lodge in the redwoods along the Big Sur River – and an interactive narrative about fish and the whole ecology – human and nature – in Big Sur.

Sara Howlett, an interpretive guide at Big Sur State Parks, welcomes you at the famed Phoenix shop at Nepenthe.

Native yuccas on the Big Sur coast symbolize the extraordinary biodiversity in this mountain range. They luxuriate here in the last outpost of Redwoods.

	Big Sur is the exciting home to more than half of all species of California native plants. More than 200 native plants have their northernmost habitat here, and more than 200 native plants have their southernmost habitat here. Your guide is Jack Ellwanger, founder of Pelican Network, Naturalist at the Big Sur Lodge and a long-time natural and cultural history education advocate on the coast.

Your lunch, created by the Swiss chef at the Big Sur Lodge, will be enjoyed in the redwoods by the stream in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

You have an option to hike to the Canyon Fall further along the trail. This waterfall winds through an ancient redwood in a place that was sacred to the Native People here.

Your guide will share stories with you about the life style and beliefs of the Natives, and tell you about the unique coastal redwoods and the native fish.