California's Big Sur
About the Big Sur
It isn't just one place, one destination... the Big Sur is the region of California that stretches along the coastline from the Caramel River to Monterey County, about 90 miles. The terrain provides stunning views, so it is a popular destination among travelers.
A map of the Big Sur, stretching along an extensive region of California's coast.
History
The name "Big Sur" is derived from the Spanish name, originally calling it "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el país grande del sur", meaning "the big country of the south". These names are referring to its location in the Monterey Peninsula. Some of the first inhabitants of the Big Sur were Native Americans, specifically the Ohlone, Esselen, and Salinan tribes. The first Europeans to see the land were Spanish mariners, lead by Juan Cabrillo. In 1769, the first Europeans set foot on the Big Sur, nearly 200 years later. Portolá established the town Monterey, which became the capital of the Spanish colony Alta California. The Spanish colonization devastated the Native American population. Most tribe members died out from European diseases or forced labor and malnutrition at the missions in the eighteenth century, while many remaining members assimilated with Spanish and Mexican ranchers in the nineteenth century.
Destinations to Visit
Nepenthe Restaurant
The food here is more than adequate if not up the standards of a gourmet, but Nepenthe is not just about the food. The Big Sur coast views and laid-back ambiance are Nepenthe's strength, overlooking some very scenic terrain.
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle is a National and California Historical Landmark, located on the Central Coast of California, near San Simeon. It was designed by architect Julia Morgan between 1919 and 1947 for William Randolph Hearst, who died in 1951. The Castle features 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and the world's largest private zoo. Zebras and other exotic animals still roam the grounds. Some specific parts of the castle were built over as many as three times to please Hearst, such as the Neptune pool, pictured above.
The 17-Mile Drive
This drive through California's coast was popular even before automobiles had been made. It began as a carriage road for guests at Monterey's Hotel del Monte in the 1880s, being known, even since the very beginning, for its magnificent scenery. You'll see beautiful beaches, wildlife such as seals and sea lions, the famed Lone Cypress, astounding mansions, and the legendary Lodge at Pebble Beach.
For more top destinations and history on the Big Sur, go to:
Things to Do in the Big Sur
History of the Big Sur
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