Jean Carroll
Encompassing roughly 90 miles of unforgettable California coastline between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Hearst Castle, Big Sur offers hotels that are in hot demand. In a region where the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains abruptly meet the sea, Big Sur is better defined by state parks and the winding Highway 1, instead of a downtown district or main streets.
Hotels on this part of the Big Sur coast range from adults-only, five-star resorts to family lodges with fire pits.
For a quick connection to the nature of the Big Sur coast, a few resorts also offer luxurious glamping opportunities, with canvas yurts and safari-like tents. Both the north and south end of the Big Sur coast offer great hotel options to bookend the driving. Boutique hotels and five-star resorts can also be found farther north in the bayside city of Monterey, and some have gas fireplaces in ocean view rooms.
To the south, hotels in Cambria offer quick access to Ragged Point and the rest of the Big Sur Coast, as well as an easy drive to historic Hearst Castle. From lush furnishings to special amenities like outdoor infinity spas overlooking the ocean, every aspect of staying at the Post Ranch Inn perfectly caters to savoring the Big Sur coast. Guests at the Post Ranch Inn don't have to leave the property to fully indulge in the Big Sur coast, and the hotel's cliffside Sierra Mar restaurant features fine dining with a locally sourced menu. A popular hotel to celebrate a special occasion, the Post Ranch Inn offers honeymoon packages ranging from two to five-day stays.
Situated on a 160-acre property littered with old-growth redwood trees, guest rooms at Ventana feature private decks overlooking either the ocean or the lush forest. Memorable stays have been perfected in that time, and alongside comfortable furnishings and common areas, the hotel offers a sun-drenched pool with a lounge deck.
The hotel holds special outdoor music performances on Sundays, weather permitting, and it's also a popular spot for large group gatherings like weddings and reunions. The Homestead Restaurant at Big Sur Lodge features menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the hotel's Espresso House serves up hot beverages throughout the day.
Popular for family vacations in Big Sur, the hotel is a short drive away from many nearby natural attractions like Pfeiffer Beach.
Alongside easy access to the neighboring state park, the cabins at Fernwood Resort feature fully stocked kitchens, separate living areas, and a bunk bed set.
Nestled among 28 acres and surrounded by vine-covered fields and orchards, this four-star resort features luxurious guest rooms, villas, and suites. With fine dining on the property and several amenities, including a heated pool, guided hikes, and spa services, a full vacation can be had without leaving the resort.
Alongside decadent canopy beds and pillow-top mattresses, the guest rooms also have special features like original antiques and French windows. If you are in town for a romantic vacay, check out the treetop vineyard oak studio, which comes with an outside deep soaking tub – add some lavender aromatherapy bath amenities to it for the ultimate relaxation. Many of the elegant guest rooms and luxurious suites at the Monterey Plaza Hotel have sweeping views of the ocean or the harbor, and some have in-room fireplaces.
Monterey Plaza Hotel offers plenty of amenities to keep guests on the property, including an open-to-the-public day spa with services like massages, facials, and full-body wraps. The spa is located on the top floor of the hotel, with stunning ocean vistas, alongside two soothing whirlpools that share the same dramatic view. The in-house Schooners Coastal Kitchen is an award-winning eatery with ocean views, and the hotel's Tidal Coffee offers fresh pastries and hot beverages on Cannery Row.
With jaw-dropping views of Monterey Bay and the ocean, rooms at the InterContinental provide a comfortable place to relax in the times between exploring the coast. When it comes time to drive south on Highway 1 along the Big Sur coastline, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is located less than 10 miles away and is a good first place to stop.
If you're arriving at the InterContinental after a day of driving through Big Sur, the historic Cannery Row surrounding the hotel is filled with local restaurants to grab an easy bite to eat. A complimentary warm picnic-to-go breakfast is offered each morning at the Blue Dolphin Inn, which includes seasonal and made-fresh items like a puffed pastry sandwich.
The entire 90-mile Big Sur coastline stretches immediately north on Highway 1 from the Blue Dolphin Inn, and the historic Hearst Castle is a seven-mile drive away. Popular for romantic vacations along the coast, deluxe rooms at the Cambria Beach Lodge feature a coastal-inspired theme, with wood floors, oversized showers, and snuggly wool blankets.
Yurts at the Treebone Resort include contemporary decor and a heating unit, as well as a location that makes it easy to connect with the surrounding coastal environment. The tent-like walls of the yurts at Treebone Resort allows guests to sleep to the soundtrack of the ocean, and the generous ocean-facing decks come complete with comfortable Adirondack chairs. Alongside these gorgeous yurts and surrounding Big Sur views, the Treebones Resort also features two restaurants and a day spa, as well as weekly yoga offerings.
