You’ll find Big Sur on California’s central coast, nestled in between Carmel and San Simeon. With its rugged beach, seaside cliffs and gorgeous scenery, it’s a truly beautiful place to get away from it all. And while you can see the best of Big Sur in a single day, you’ll have a much more relaxing time if you spend a night or two—especially if you stay somewhere unique.
This small region is big on quirky accommodations. When you go, skip the standard hotel stay and give one of these spots a try.
Treebones Resort
At Treebones Resort, it’s all about the best of both worlds: getting back to nature and enjoying the comforts of home. Their luxury glamping yurts have ocean or mountain views, while their totally unique “human nest” is a woven work of art that allows you a little rustic solitude with an ocean view. There’s also a restaurant, a casual sushi bar and a massage studio onsite.
The Village RV
Don’t have an RV but want to camp in style on the Big Sur coast? Not a problem as The Village RV can deliver an RV wherever you want to camp and they’ll pick it up when you are done with it.
The Post Ranch Inn
The Post Ranch Inn is perched on top of the cliffs of Big Sur, 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean. This is a luxury resort and the price reflects it, but you simply won’t find a sanctuary like this anywhere else. This intimate space has 40 rooms meant to relax and rejuvenate you, all with panoramic ocean or mountain views.
Fernwood Resort
Since 1932, the Fernwood Resort has been hosting visitors in their forest cabins and campsites. Located along the Big Sur River, you’ll enjoy camping under the stars while being steps from a delicious onsite bar and grill.
Ragged Point Resort
Ragged Point Innsits on 17 cliff-side acres overlooking the Big Sur coastline. Thishuge complex has just about anything you will need (dining, lodging, gas, etc) and is located just off Highway 1 and is only a 20-minute drive to Hearst Castle.
Limekiln State Park
If camping in a 716 acre park surrounded by redwoods with breathtaking views of the Big Sur coast sounds like your kind of experience, you’ll love spending the night at Limekiln State Park.
Campsites can be reserved online.
Gorda Springs Resort
Gorda Springs Resort is almost like a self-contained little town. With garden cottages, studio suites above “City Hall,” a cafe, a general store and even a place to fill your gas tank, it’s no wonder their website claims they have “everything but a sheriff.” You might even spot some whales in the water since you’ll be 200 feet above the ocean.
Lucia Lodge
Lucia Lodge rests on a cliff above the ocean, and what makes it so spectacular is the unbelievable views you can enjoy from your cabin or oceanfront room. There are no telephones or televisions in the private rooms or cabins, so this is your real chance to get away from it all.
Ripplewood Resort
Ripplewood is one of Big Sur’s oldest resorts. And while you can no longer get a cabin for $20 a week or a special chicken dinner like you could in 1925 (sorry), you can still see the remains of an old train car that was used as a bridge for a while. The resort has rustic cabins, a restaurant and a small grocery store.
The Lotus Blossom in Big Sur Forest
Sometimes nothing but a completely secluded stay will do. When the urge to escape hits, the Lotus Blossom cabin offers peaceful solitude for one or two people. A drive through the forest and a short hike takes you to the one bedroom cabin, which has a kitchen, a bathroom and a wood burning stove for cooler nights.
Esalen Institute
Esalen is more than a place to stay—it’s an experience. This retreat center offers a peaceful place for quiet self-reflection, an art center, a kitchen with healthy meals and community gathering places where you can chat with other guests. An onsite farm and garden is always full of greens and herbs, and you can really expand your horizons by enlisting in a workshop or participating in some public night bathing.
Big Sur is a unique place full of originality, and every spot on our list will give you an unforgettable experience.
If you could enjoy these unique accommodations, you’ll probably love glamping all over the California Coast!
