Big Sur Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Big Sur. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Big Sur McWay Falls opt 4- or 5-Hour Private Tour

• Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 people

• Monterey, Carmel, and Big Sur Private Day Trip from San Francisco

• Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

• Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Sur PCH Highway 1

Driving through Big Sur, a rugged 90-mile (145-kilometer) stretch of coastline, is free—but lots of great guided tours let you explore the fascinating region in greater depth. If you’re driving yourself, book a self-guided audio tour starting around US$20. Fully guided tours of Big Sur start around US$318.

Yes, Big Sur is worth visiting. Its gorgeous coastal views are among California's finest, with cinematic bridges spanning deep river valleys. Big Sur tide pools hold a rainbow of marine creatures, and towering coast redwoods soar over a network of hiking trails and scenic campgrounds.

Per one customer who booked the Big Sur Monterey California Coast from San Jose 1 - 12 People, "This is a magnificent, unforgettable drive. I'm so glad we had a driver and could pay full attention to the scenery and not to maneuvering the very curvy, twisting road along the coast. We were able to relax and enjoy the astounding beauty of the area with our very competent driver, Carlos."

The area called Big Sur is home to several California state parks that don't organize tours and do not require Big Sur tickets to enter. However, guided tours visit Big Sur along with Monterey, 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, Carmel, and the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1), usually from San Francisco.

Visiting Big Sur is always in season. While this stretch of central California coast has relatively temperate weather year-round, the best time to visit is in spring or fall, both of which offer warm weather and fewer crowds. Catching a concert at the Henry Miller Memorial Library is always a good bet.

The drive along the Big Sur coast from Carmel-by-the-Sea to San Simeon along the Pacific Coast Highway—also known as California State Route 1—is about 94 miles (151 kilometers) and takes about 2.5–3 hours without stopping. However, most visitors stop to enjoy the views. Note: Landslides may block the route.

Start with a drive along Highway 1. Then, hike in a state park—perhaps the McWay Waterfall Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. After lunch at a Highway 1 restaurant, spend the afternoon at Pfeiffer Beach. Finish by admiring the sunset and lighthouse at Point Sur State Historic Park.

Not really. Most of Big Sur is accessible via Highway 1 along the coast or rugged inland country roads that are not easily walkable. Visitors can hike through much of the coastal area, but it's best to drive to a state park and walk from there.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Big Sur. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Monterey and Carmel:

• 17-Mile Drive

• Monterey Fisherman's Wharf

• Cannery Row

• Monterey Bay Aquarium

• Hearst Castle

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Monterey and Carmel.