Planning a Trip

Visitor Information -- Contact the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce (tel. 831/667-2100; www.bigsurcalifornia.org) for specialized information on places and events in Big Sur.

Orientation -- Most of this stretch is state park, and Highway 1 runs its entire length, hugging the ocean the whole way. Restaurants, hotels, and sights are easy to spot -- most are situated directly on the highway -- but without major towns as reference points, their addresses can be obscure. For the purposes of orientation, I'll use the River Inn as a mileage guide. Located 29 miles south of Monterey on Highway 1, the inn is generally considered to mark the northern end of Big Sur.