The 56 acres (23 ha) Wagon Caves rock formation is an archeological site that was used by the Salinan Antonianos subtribe who occupied at least two villages in the area more than a thousand years apart. The caves are located about 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Jolon, California .
87-528: In the latter part of the 1800s, the location became a way station for homesteaders and miners who traveled between the southern portion of the Big Sur coast and the interior. Wagons were left at the location, allowing travelers to transport goods to and from Jolon and later Soledad when the Union Pacific Railroad established a terminus there. In 2000, the 806 acres (326 ha) Wagon Cave Research Natural Area
174-644: A dog-hole port at Cape San Martin Landing . The machinery was then dragged on sleds up the steep canyons to the Los Burros Mining District. There were two trails from the coast to Wagon Caves: the Plaskett/Mansfield Trail to the north near Lopez Point, known today as Lucia , and the Los Burros Trail to the south, connecting Manchester and the mines in that area. Most of the families in
261-441: A rough dirt road to transport cattle and some products to and from Monterey, but counted on a steamship to deliver and ship goods once a year that could not be transported on a wagon. The south coast residents had to rely on horseback travel to conduct their business with merchants in the interior San Antonio and Salinas Valleys. About two or three dozen individual homesteads dotted a 25 miles (40 km) stretch of coast between
348-651: A 'scenic highway' with piles of shit up and down the highway. There are only 16 public restrooms along the entire coast to accommodate the almost 5 million annual visitors. The number of visitors far exceeds the available restrooms , and most restrooms are not available in locations where tourists frequently visit. Businesses report that the large number of visitors using their bathroom has overwhelmed their septic systems. If visitors can locate them, they can use bathrooms within California State Parks or federal campgrounds without paying an entrance fee. But many of
435-533: A 2,000,000-cubic-foot (57,000 m ) slide blocked the highway at Mud Creek, north of Salmon Creek near the San Luis Obispo County line, to just south of Gorda . The road was reopened on July 18, 2018. The region is protected by the Big Sur Local Coastal Plan, which preserves it as "open space, a small residential community, and agricultural ranching." Approved in 1986, the plan is one of
522-487: A butcher, a blacksmith, a harness maker, a general merchandise store, post office, and Wells Fargo station. When the Southern Pacific Railroad was extended in 1886 to Soledad , travelers could then ride horseback, their wagons, or a stage 37 miles (60 km) north. The families brought back supplies necessary to sustain their remote lives. In 2000, the 806 acres (326 ha) Wagon Cave Research Natural Area
609-625: A northeasterly route up the slopes of Mt. Manuel. Hikers following this route can access Vado, Launtz Creek, and Tin House campsites. It connects to the Little Sur trail that provides access to the Little Sur River watershed. The trail is not maintained. The North Coast Ridge Road (USFS 20S05) is accessible from the road to the Ventana Inn and indirectly from the south via Limekiln State Park . Parking
696-504: A one-room redwood cabin in 1920. Due to the difficult terrain and lack of access, settlement of the Big Sur region was primarily concentrated in the north near the Big Sur River and in the south near Lucia, California . The northern and southern regions of the Big Sur coast were isolated from one another, connected only by a horseback trail. Weather permitting, the northern residents used
783-517: A parking spot at a trailhead parking lot and take a 14-passenger van to Pfeiffer Beach. In response to visitor abuses, an anonymous Big Sur resident began an Instagram account in May 2019 named BigSurHatesYou intended to shame visitors into treating the Big Sur region better. The television series Big Little Lies , which is filmed in the Monterey and Big Sur area, has increased the number of visitors to
870-505: A popular destination for visitors from across the world. With 4.5 to 7 million visitors annually, it is among the top tourist destinations in the United States, comparable to Yosemite National Park , but with considerably fewer services, and less parking, roads, and related infrastructure. Big Sur Village is a collection of small roadside businesses and homes. The larger region known as Big Sur does not have specific boundaries but
957-572: A ridge until it finally descended to Wagon Cave on the north fork of the San Antonio River . Over the Los Burros Trail, it was a 2 miles (3.2 km) hike or ride up steep canyon slopes from Manchester and Los Burros Mine District to the summit of the Santa Lucia Mountains, followed by a 10 miles (16 km) trip downhill trek to Wagon Cave. At Wagon Cave, travelers rested and camped overnight before switching from horseback to and from
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#17330935453081044-402: A saw mill. William and Sarah (Barnes) Plaskett claimed a homestead in the area now known as Gorda 3.9 miles (6.3 km) south of Plaskett in 1869 and established a saw mill. They built several homes and a saw mill. The John Little State Natural Reserve straddling the mouth of Lime Creek preserves the original 1917 cabin of conservationist Elizabeth K. Livermore. Homesteader John Junge built
1131-541: A single shuttle van that operates on Thursday through Sunday from the Big Sur Station to Pfeiffer Beach. The owner of the Nepenthe restaurant estimated in 2017 that the number of visitors had increased by 40% since 2011. Big Sur residents and business owners are concerned about the impact visitors are having on the region. Traffic and parking is consistently bad during summer and holidays weekends and some visitors don't obey
1218-420: A single, narrow two-lane highway that for most of its length clings to the steep coastal cliffs. North-bound traffic during the peak summer season and holiday weekends is often backed up for about 20 miles (32 km) from Big Sur Village to Carmel Highlands . Due to the large number of visitors during the summer, congestion and slow traffic between Carmel and Posts is becoming the norm. However, during
1305-572: A village named Trh’ama at Wagon Cave, between Rattlesnake Creek and the North Fork of the San Antonio River. Maria Jesusa Encinales stated that it was “the big rock where they keep the wagons”. The site has been recorded as state site CA-Mnt-0307. The upstream and downstream area has a series of midden sites and bedrock mortars. The Salinan people are believed to have lived south of Junipero Serra Peak , perhaps ranging from Slates Hot Springs on
1392-467: Is 25 miles (40 km) south of the Big Sur village on Highway 1. A steep staircase leads down to the beach from the highway. Jade Cove , 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Sand Dollar Beach, is also sometimes popular with visitors. Swiss Canyon Beach is a long, sandy beach visible when looking north from the mouth of the Big Sur River in Andrew Molera State Park. The eastern side of the beach
1479-415: Is a hot springs. Small pools were built to impound the water above the riverbank but these were destroyed by floods in 2017–18. The USFS stated that the man-made tubs were illegal impoundments that are inconsistent with the intention of a wilderness experience and will not allow them to be rebuilt. From Sykes, the trail crosses the river, and 3 miles (4.8 km) later reaches Redwood Camp, situated along
1566-469: Is also the location of a Catholic monastery, the New Camaldoli Hermitage . The Hermitage in Big Sur was founded in 1957. It rents a few simple rooms for visitors who would like to engage in silent meditation and contemplation. Normally all retreats are silent and undirected. The Big Sur International Marathon is an annual marathon that begins south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and ends at
1653-511: Is available in the north at Cadillac Flat near the Ventana Inn. From Ventana Inn, the trail climbs steeply to the crest of the coastal ridge and south about 30 miles (48 km) to near Cone Peak . There are wide views in all directions for almost the entire hike. It connects to several trails over its length, including Terrace Creek Trail (closed as of January 2018 ), Boronda Trail, DeAngulo Trail, Big Sur Trail, Marble Peak Trail, Bee Camp Trail, Lost Valley Connector Trail, Rodeo Flat Trail, and
1740-535: Is bounded by private land. The beach may be accessible from the southern end depending on the tide. Some beaches are surrounded by private land. At the mouth of the Little Sur river are some of the largest dunes on the Big Sur coast. The mouth of the Little Sur River, the dunes, and the mile-long Little Sur River beach are within the boundaries of the El Sur Ranch and are inaccessible to the public. The owner of
1827-491: Is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur has been called the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States ", a sublime "national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development", and "one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation". The views, redwood forests, hiking, beaches, and other recreational opportunities have made Big Sur
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#17330935453081914-549: Is generally considered to include the 71-mile (114 km) segment of California State Route 1 between Malpaso Creek near Carmel Highlands in the north and San Carpóforo Creek near San Simeon in the south, as well as the entire Santa Lucia range between these creeks. The interior region is mostly uninhabited, while the coast remains relatively isolated and sparsely populated, with between 1,800 and 2,000 year-round residents and relatively few visitor accommodations scattered among four small settlements. The region remained one of
2001-646: Is part of the Los Padres National Forest , Ventana Wilderness , Silver Peak Wilderness or Fort Hunter Liggett . Big Sur is not an incorporated town but a region without formal boundaries in California's Central Coast region. The region is often confused with the small community of buildings and services 26 miles (42 km) south of Carmel in the Big Sur River valley, sometimes referred to by locals as Big Sur Village , but officially known as Big Sur. The various informal boundaries applied to
2088-439: Is sometimes rated as the best beach in Big Sur. Depending on the season, visitors can view sea otters, sea lions, seals, and migrating whales from the beach. The beach is barely visible from Highway 1. Pfeiffer Beach is very popular but is only accessible via the narrow 2 miles (3.2 km) Sycamore Canyon Road. The parking lot at the beach only accommodates 60 vehicles and is usually full on summer and holiday weekends. During
2175-558: The Monterey County Supervisors in 1981, states that the region is meant to be an experience that visitors transit through, not a destination. For that reason, development of all kinds is severely restricted. Besides sightseeing from the highway, Big Sur offers hiking and outdoor activities. There are a large number of state and federal lands and parks, including McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park , one of only two waterfalls in California that plunge directly into
2262-496: The chaparral is found, a scrub community often dominated by chamise and manzanita . Grassland and open pine forest are found on a few ridgetops. The popular 26 miles (42 km) Pine Ridge Trail follows the Big Sur River for several miles inland. Several backcountry camps are located along the river, including Ventana Camp, Barlow Flat Camp, and Sykes Camp. Near Sykes Camp , approximately 10 miles (16 km) inland, there
2349-620: The " Human Potential Movement ", and Gestalt therapy in the United States. Esalen is named after the Native Americans who congregated there at the natural hot springs possibly for thousands of years. Far from the coast within the Los Padres National Forest, the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center , accessible via a steep, narrow, 12-mile (19 km) dirt road, is only open to guests during the summer months. Big Sur
2436-760: The Arroyo Seco Trail. It provides access to Timber Top and Cold Spring Camp. It passes near the summit of Anderson Peak (4,099 feet (1,249 m)) and Marble Peak (4,031 feet (1,229 m)), and through to the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and through connects to the Cone Peak Road. It is not open to vehicular traffic or bicycles. As of January 2018 , the trail is closed. Garrapata State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park all contain short hiking trails. As of January 2018 , almost all trails on
2523-470: The Big Sur coast. Water is diverted to a small group of homeowners, and the state claims that wells owned by the El Sur Ranch are diverting underflow from the river. There are no dams or reservoirs . While exploring Alta California , the Portolá expedition arrived at San Carpóforo Canyon near present-day San Simeon on September 13, 1769. After two days of attempts, they decided they could not proceed up
2610-468: The Big Sur region to include only the coastal flanks of the Santa Lucia Mountains , which at various points extend from 3 to 12 miles (5 to 19 km) inland. Some residents place the eastern border at the boundaries of the vast inland areas comprising the Los Padres National Forest, Ventana Wilderness, and Silver Peak Wilderness, or the unpopulated regions all the way to the eastern foothills of
2697-627: The Cretaceous–Paleocene submarine canyon. The Salinian block basement is identical to that cut by the Monterey submarine canyon . Big Sur Big Sur ( / ˈ s ɜːr / ) is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California , between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon , where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean . It
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2784-808: The Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The marathon was established in 1986 and attracts about 4,500 participants annually. Civic leaders in Big Sur stage a run each year in October to raise funds for the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Big Sur Health Center. Since the race, known as the Big Sur River Run, was founded in 1971, more than $ 1,025,104 has been donated to the two organizations. The run through
2871-461: The Monterey / San Luis Obispo count line is closed to the public. The Pine Ridge Trail (USFS 3E06) is the most popular hiking route into the Ventana Wilderness . Hikers can use it to access many campsites in the backcountry, including Ventana Camp, Terrace Creek, Barlow Flats, Sykes, and Redwood camps. When open, it is accessible from the Big Sur Station . The trail, connecting trails, and
2958-529: The Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch . It is a gathering place for locals and has become the focal point of individuals with a literary mind, a cultural center devoted to Miller's life and work, and a popular attraction for tourists. There are a few small, scenic beaches that are accessible to the public and popular for walking, but usually unsuitable for swimming, because of unpredictable currents, frigid temperatures, and dangerous surf. The beach at Garrapata State Park
3045-473: The Santa Lucia Mountains. Author and local historian Jeff Norman considered Big Sur to extend inland to include the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" has its origins in the area's early Spanish history . While the Portolá expedition was exploring Alta California , they arrived at San Carpóforo Canyon near present-day San Simeon on September 13, 1769. Unable to penetrate
3132-474: The Soberanes Fire. From north to south, the following state parks are in use: As of January 2018 , some trails and campsites within the following areas are closed, due to damage caused by the 2016 Soberanes Fire and the following winter's rains. During most summer weekends and on all major holidays, Big Sur is overwhelmingly crowded. Although some Big Sur residents catered to adventurous travelers in
3219-585: The US Forest Service measured the maximum run off in February at 41,860 acre-feet (51,630,000 m ), and the minimum at 1,050 acre-feet (1,300,000 m ). The total runoff was 126,200 acre-feet (155,700,000 m ). In the late 1800s, the Ventana Power Company operated a sawmill near present-day Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. They began planning to build a dam on the Big Sur River just downstream of
3306-406: The aboriginal population was exposed to diseases unknown to them, including smallpox and measles . The Native Americans had no immunity and their population and culture were devastated. The population of the native people at the mission decreased to 878 in 1820 and 681 in 1830. When the missions were secularized in 1834, the population was further reduced to under 150. The small community of Jolon
3393-482: The area, an older site dating to approximately 450 A.D. and a later, protohistoric site with dates ranging from about 1450 to 1650 A.D. Archeologists have found a stemmed biface , lithic flakes , shell beads , and non-human bones, as well as shell, bone, flaked stone , fire-affected rock, charred seeds, and mortars at the cave site. The rock overhangs and caves have fire-scarred roofs that bear evidence of occupancy over hundreds of years. Researchers have identified
3480-406: The area. Public transportation is available to and from Monterey on Monterey–Salinas Transit . The summer schedule operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day three times a day, while the winter schedule only offers bus service on weekends. The route is subject to interruption due to wind and severe inclement weather. There are only six gas stations along Highway 1 in Big Sur, from Ragged Point in
3567-611: The authority to control the construction of any type, including buildings, housing, roads, as well as fire and erosion abatement structures, and can issue fines for unapproved construction. The Coastal Zone is specifically defined by law as an area that extends from the State's seaward boundary of jurisdiction, and inland for a distance from the Mean High Tide Line of between a couple of hundred feet in urban areas, to up to five miles in rural areas. The Big Sur Local Coastal Plan, approved by
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3654-578: The bathrooms are not visible from Highway 1. This is due in part to the fact that restroom signs along Highway 1 were removed for aesthetic reasons. As a result, visitors often resort to defecating in the bushes near locations like the Bixby Creek Bridge. Residents complain that visitors regularly defecate along Highway 1. Toilet paper, human waste, and trash litter the roadsides. Residents have taken it upon themselves to clean up after visitors. The California Department of Transportation, which cleans
3741-533: The busy summer season. Big Sur River The Big Sur River is a 15.7-mile-long (25.3 km) river on the Central Coast of California . The river drains a portion of the Big Sur area, a thinly settled region of the Central California coast where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean . The upper river and watershed lies within the Ventana Wilderness and encompasses
3828-673: The campsites along its route were closed during the Soberanes Fire in July 2016. They were damaged by the fire itself and further damaged by the heavy rains during the following winter. As of August 2017 , the trail was blocked by four major washouts and more than 100 fallen trees across the path. Reopening the trail will require an environmental assessment, and perhaps re-routing the trail entirely. The Mt. Manuel Trail (USFS 2E06) begins within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It follows
3915-461: The caves are surrounded by brush, grassland and Quercus-Pinus sabiniana woodland. Flora include: The rock strata at the Wagon Caves are a succession of coarse-grained high-density turbidity current deposits. The 0.5 square kilometres (0.19 sq mi) mesa is part of a lenticular sandstone body up to 75 metres (246 ft) thick and several kilometers wide that accumulated within the confines of
4002-648: The coast to Soledad in the Salinas Valley and into northern San Luis Obispo County. After the Spanish established Mission San Antonio de Padua in 1771, they baptized and forced the native population to labor at the mission. By 1780 the Franciscans had baptized 585 natives, and by 1790 that number increased to 1,076, the largest mission in California. Ten years later the priests recorded 1,118 baptisms. A total of 4,348 natives were baptized. Forced to live in close quarters,
4089-595: The coast were named El Rio Grande del Sur and El Rio Chiquito del Sur . The first recorded use of the name el Sud (meaning 'the South') was on a map of the Rancho El Sur land grant given by Governor José Figueroa to Juan Bautista Alvarado on July 30, 1834. The first American use of the name 'Sur' was by the United States Coast Survey in 1851, which renamed a point of land that looked like an island and
4176-574: The coast. Wagons were stored under a large overhang, hence Wagon Cave , for the purpose of hauling items to market and provisions back from Jolon and Soledad. A wagon road connected the Caves with Jolon 18 miles (29 km) to the southeast in the San Antonio Valley. Jolon was a major stagecoach stop on the original El Camino Real , which in the late 1800s remained the primary route between San Francisco and San Diego. In 1878, Jolon had two grocers,
4263-470: The confluence of Ventana Creek and the Big Sur River. They hoped to sell the electricity to the City of Monterey. They built a diversion channel along the Big Sur River, but the 1906 San Francisco earthquake bankrupted the company and they abandoned the project. The stonework from the diversion channel is still visible. A 19.5 miles (31.4 km) stretch of the river is designated as a Wild and Scenic River , from
4350-541: The difficult terrain along the coast, they detoured inland through the San Antonio and Salinas Valleys before arriving at Monterey Bay , where they founded Monterey and named it the provincial capital. The Spanish referred to the vast and relatively unexplored coastal region to the south of Monterey as el país grande del sur , meaning 'the big country of the south'. This was often shortened to el sur grande 'the big south'. The two major rivers draining this portion of
4437-575: The early twentieth century, the modern tourist economy began when Highway 1 opened the region to automobiles in 1937, but only took off after World War II-era gasoline rationing and a ban on pleasure driving ended in August 1945. Big Sur has become a destination for travelers both within the United States and internationally. The number of visitors to Big Sur has risen from about 1.5 million in 1978, to about 3 million in 1980, to an estimated 4 to 5 million during 2014 and 2015, comparable to or greater than
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#17330935453084524-417: The east side of Highway 1 in these parks are closed due to the Soberanes Fire and damage sustained during heavy rains the following winter. Some trails west of Highway 1 are open. Among the places that draw visitors is the once counterculture, later upscale Esalen Institute . Esalen hosted many figures of the nascent " New Age " and, in the 1960s, played an important role in popularizing Eastern philosophies,
4611-620: The first festival. The festival was held yearly on the grounds of the Esalen Institute, except for 1970, when it was held at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Even when well-known acts like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young or the Beach Boys performed, the event was purposefully kept small with no more than a few thousand in attendance. The state parks in Big Sur grew out of the original residents' desire to protect and preserve
4698-674: The headwaters downstream to the area known as the Gorge. The lower river flows roughly northwest through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the Big Sur village, several private camp grounds and Andrew Molera State Park where it flows through a lagoon and sandbar into the Pacific Ocean at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Major Tributaries of the river include, in order: Redwood Creek , Lion Creek, Logwood Creek, Terrace Creek, Ventana Creek, Post Creek, Pfeiffer-Redwood Creek , Juan Higuera Creek, and Pheneger Creek. Most of
4785-406: The headwaters of its north and south forks downstream to the boundary of the Ventana Wilderness. The vegetation of the watershed is diverse. Along the main river canyon and many side tributaries grow riparian species such as California sycamore and white alder . Extensive stands of old-growth redwood trees tower above moist canyons and north-facing slopes below approximately 2400 ft. Above
4872-447: The highly restrictive development plans enforced in Big Sur; no billboards or advertisements are permitted along the highway and signage for businesses must be modestly scaled and of a rural nature conforming to the Big Sur region. The state of California designated the 72-mile (116 km) section of the highway from Cambria to Carmel Highlands as the first California Scenic Highway in 1965. In 1966, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson led
4959-548: The inaccessible coast. Instead, they cut a trail inland through the San Antonio and Salinas Valleys before arriving at Monterey Bay , where they founded Monterey and named it their capital. The Spanish referred to the vast, relatively unexplored, coastal region to the south as el país grande del sur , meaning "the big country of the south". This was often shortened to el sur grande . The two major rivers were named El Rio Grande del Sur (Big Sur River) and El Rio Chiquito del Sur (Little Sur River) . The first recorded use of
5046-524: The land they admired. "The early settlers considered land stewardship their obligation to the community." The first was Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. John Pfeiffer, son of pioneers Michael Pfeiffer and Barbara Laquet, was offered $ 210,000 for his land near Sycamore Canyon by a Los Angeles developer, who wanted to build a subdivision on the land. Instead, Pfeiffer sold 700 acres (2.8 km2) to the state of California in 1933. As of January 2018 , portions of most of these parks are closed due to after effects of
5133-477: The laws. Residents began discussing the potential necessity of shuttle buses, tollgates along Highway 1, and limits on the number of private autos allowed on the highway in 1978. One of the reasons for Big Sur's popularity is that it is only a one-day drive for about 7 million people. With the advent of social media , hashtags like "#sykeshotsprings" and "#pineridgetrail", two popular destinations within Big Sur, encourage more visitors. Visitors must pay $ 15 for
5220-504: The most inaccessible areas of California and the entire United States until, after 18 years of construction, the Carmel–San Simeon Highway (now signed as part of State Route 1) was completed in 1937. Along with the ocean views, this winding, narrow road, often cut into the face of towering seaside cliffs, dominates the visitor's experience of Big Sur. The highway has been closed more than 55 times by landslides , and in May 2017,
5307-416: The most restrictive local-use programs in the state, and is widely regarded as one of the most restrictive documents of its kind anywhere. The program protects viewsheds from the highway and many vantage points, and severely restricts the density of development. About 60% of the coastal region is owned by governmental or private agencies which do not allow any development. The majority of the interior region
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#17330935453085394-450: The name "el Sud" (meaning "the South") was in the map of the Rancho El Sur land grant given by Governor José Figueroa to Juan Bautista Alvarado on July 30, 1834. The first American use of the name "Sur" was by the U.S. Coast Survey in 1851, which renamed a point of land that looked like an island and was shaped like a trumpet, formerly known as "Morro de la Trompa" and "Punta que Parece Isla" during Spanish times, to Point Sur. In 1977,
5481-604: The name of their post office from Arbolado to Big Sur, and the rubber stamp using that name was returned on March 6, 1915, cementing the use of Big Sur as the place name. The section of Highway 1 running through Big Sur is widely considered one of the most scenic driving routes in the United States, if not the world. The views are one reason that Big Sur was ranked second among all United States destinations in TripAdvisor 's 2008 Travelers' Choice Destination Awards. The unblemished natural scenery owes much of its preservation to
5568-530: The northern and southern regions in the 1890s. Before the completion of the Big Sur Coast Highway in 1937, the California coast south of Posts and north of San Simeon remained one of the most remote regions in the state, rivaling at the time nearly any other region in the United States for its difficult access. The extremely rough coast limited goods that could be transported by ship. The mines at Manchester received stamping mills and other machinery from
5655-440: The number of visitors to Yosemite National Park . Unlike Yosemite, which is managed by a single federal entity, about one-quarter of the land in Big Sur is privately owned and the remainder is managed by a conglomeration of federal, state, local, and private agencies. Yosemite offers 5,400 parking spots and a free, daily, park-wide bus service. In Big Sur during the summer, there is a single public bus that runs three times daily and
5742-400: The ocean. The waterfall is located near the foundation of a grand stone cliffside house built in 1940 by Lathrop and Hélène Hooper Brown which was the region's first electrified home. However, parking is very limited and usually unavailable on summer weekends and holidays. Another notable landmark is Point Sur Lightstation , the only complete nineteenth century lighthouse complex open to
5829-483: The official scenic road designation ceremony at Bixby Creek Bridge . In 1996, the road became one of the first designated by the federal government as an "All-American Road" under the National Scenic Byways Program. CNN Traveler named McWay Falls as the most beautiful place in California. The drive along Highway 1 has been described as "one of the best drives on Earth", and is considered one of
5916-503: The public in California. The Ventana Wildlife Center near Andrew Molera State Park features a free Discovery Center that enables visitors to learn about the California Condor recovery program and other wildlife. The Henry Miller Memorial Library is a nonprofit bookstore and arts center that opened in 1981 as a tribute to the writer. Miller lived in Big Sur from 1944 to February 1963 and wrote about Big Sur in his book Big Sur and
6003-408: The public include Point Sur Beach, a long sandy beach located below and to the north of Point Sur Lighthouse. There is a small beach at Rocky Point that is surrounded by private property, making it inaccessible. The beach at the foot of McWay falls is physically inaccessible from the shore. To the south near the county line, Wreck Beach south of Pfeiffer Beach is not accessible. Gamboa Point Beach near
6090-438: The ranch maintains a secure fence and has prominently posted "Private Property" and "No Trespassing" signs on the fence along Highway 1 as suggested by legal precedent. While the beach below the mean high tide line is open to the public, the law does not permit individuals to trespass on private property to reach the public beach. Individuals who trespass to reach the beach have been cited. Other beaches that are inaccessible to
6177-464: The redwoods was canceled in 2016 due to the Soberanes Fire and in 2017 due to winter storms. The Big Sur Folk Festival was held from 1964 to 1971. It began unintentionally when Nancy Carlen, a friend of singer Joan Baez , organized a weekend seminar at the Esalen Institute in June 1964 titled "The New Folk Music". On Sunday afternoon, they invited all the neighbors for a free, open performance. This became
6264-427: The redwoods, a mixed-hardwood forest of madrone , tanoak , coast live oak , canyon oak , and occasionally ponderosa and Coulter pine predominates. The rare Santa Lucia fir , endemic to the Santa Lucia Mountains , is found scattered in small groves, including one near the confluence of the Big Sur River and Ventana Creek , the lowest elevation (600 feet) known in the wild. On higher, steep, and South-facing slopes
6351-529: The region have gradually expanded north and south over time. Esther Pfeiffer Ewoldson, who was born in 1904 and was a granddaughter of Big Sur pioneers Michael and Barbara Pfeiffer, wrote that the region extended from the Little Sur River 23 miles (37 km) south to Slates Hot Springs . Members of the Harlan Family, who homesteaded the Lucia region 9 miles (14 km) south of Slates Hot Springs, said that Big Sur
6438-579: The region were located around Lopez Point, including the Harlans, Danis, Gamboas, and Lopezes. They used the Plaskett/Mansfield Trail to herd cattle, pigs, goats, and even turkeys to market several times a year. The trail climbed 4,621 feet (1,408 m) over the steep Santa Lucia Mountain Range to near Cone Peak and then followed what is today known as the Carrizo Trail. From Cone Peak the trail ran easterly along
6525-425: The river's 60-square-mile (160 km ) watershed is in the Ventana Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest . Precipitation increases with altitude at Big Sur and the higher elevations can receive over 50 inches (1,300 mm) per year, about 10 inches (250 mm) more than lower areas. The average yearly runoff on the river is 65,000 acre-feet (80,000,000 m ). It is the largest river by volume on
6612-816: The roadside areas about once a week, finds human waste during every cleanup. Butch Kronlund, executive director of the Coast Property Owners Association, criticized the lack of restrooms. He says, "It's a 'scenic highway' with piles of shit up and down the highway." The 1976 California Coastal Act makes installing public bathrooms, trash bins, or even new road signs along Highway 1 extremely difficult. Several federal, state, and local agencies have jurisdiction in Big Sur, all of which must weigh in on decisions affecting residents and visitors. The land use restrictions that preserve Big Sur's natural beauty also mean that visitor accommodations are limited, often expensive, and places to stay fill up quickly during
6699-672: The south to Carmel Highlands in the north. Three of them are in the north near Big Sur Valley. The gas station at the Big Sur River Inn and Restaurant offers a steep discount to local residents. The filling station in Gorda has one of the highest prices in the United States, as it is far from the electrical grid and part of the cost of auto fuel is used to support the operation of a diesel generator. All of them only operate during regular business hours and none of them supply diesel fuel. There are three Tesla recharging stations near Posts. It's
6786-408: The summer, a shuttle operates from the US Forest Service headquarters to the beach. The wide sandy expanse offers views of a scenic arch rock offshore. It is sometimes confused with the beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to the south. In the south, Sand Dollar Beach is the longest stretch of beach in Big Sur. It is popular with hikers and photographers for its views of nearby bluffs. The beach
6873-527: The top 10 motorcycle rides in the United States. Highway 1 was named the most popular drive in California in 2014 by the American Automobile Association . The region receives as many as and sometimes more visitors than Yosemite National Park . Unlike the national park managed by a single entity, the Big Sur region is ruled over by multiple government and private land owners, offers only occasional bus service, limited parking, few restrooms, and
6960-436: The up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long thin deergrass flower stalks to make coiled baskets. The Salinan tribe collect grass to make baskets. The extensive displays of spring wild flowers include abundant clarkias, clovers, goldfields, lupines and popcorn flowers. The Wagon Caves area is known for the large valley oaks, up to 100 feet (30 m) tall with trunks 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) across. The single very large rock comprising
7047-481: The winter, the road is frequently closed due to washouts and slides. Despite its popularity, the region is heavily protected to preserve the rural and natural character of the land. The entire Big Sur coast is located within the protected coastal zone established by the 1976 California Coastal Act . This includes land use within a defined "coastal zone" extending inland from 3,000 ft (910 m) up to 5 mi (8.0 km). The California Coastal Commission has
7134-541: Was "miles and miles to the north of us." Prior to the construction of Highway 1, residents on the south coast had little contact with residents to the north of them. Most descriptions of the area refer to Malpaso Creek 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of the Carmel River as the northern border. The southern border is generally accepted to be San Carpóforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County . The vast majority of visitors only see Big Sur's dramatic coastline and consider
7221-462: Was established to study and protect the unique flora found in the area. The location is known for huge valley oaks that are up to 100 feet (30 m) tall with trunks 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) across. The rock formation about 18 miles (29 km) northwest of present-day Jolon, California was used by the Salinan Antonianos subtribe who researchers believe occupied at least two villages in
7308-671: Was established within the Los Padres National Forest . It contains diverse stands of valley oaks of varying ages and densities The natural area was established to preserve the valley oak savanna's diverse range of native grasses and forbs. This caves area displays a wide diversity of both annual and perennial grasses. Spring wild flowers are abundant. The grasslands around the caves contain many types of annual and perennial grasses. The most abundant native perennial grasses are deergrass ( Muhlenbergia rigens ) and three types of needlegrass (Nassella spp.). These were once abundant and widespread bunchgrasses in California. The indigenous people used
7395-537: Was practically deserted, leaving Mission San Antonio de Padua the only mission that failed to grow into a town during the Spanish or Mexican periods. When Governor Pío Pico declared all mission buildings in Alta California for sale in 1845, no one bid for Mission San Antonio. The few remaining native people assimilated with Spanish and Mexican ranchers in the nineteenth century. In 1909, forest supervisors reported that three Indian families still lived within what
7482-568: Was shaped like a trumpet, known to the Spanish as Morro de la Trompa and Punta Que Parece Isla , to Point Sur . Big Sur's first post office was named "Posts" after William Brainard Post , in whose home it was located. He had obtained a patent to land at the top of the grade south of the Big Sur River, where he built a home in 1867. The English-speaking homesteaders petitioned the United States Post Office in Washington D.C. to change
7569-754: Was then known as the Monterey National Forest. The Encinale family of 16 members and the Quintana family with three members lived in the vicinity of The Indians (now known as Santa Lucia Memorial Park west of Fort Hunter Liggett ), about 5 miles from the Wagon Caves. The Mora family consisting of three members was living to the south along the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. William and Sarah (Barnes) Plaskett and their family settled in Pacific Valley in southern Big Sur in 1869. They built several homes and
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