The Best Inns And Hotels In Big Sur California

Cameras at the ready: this rugged stretch of California coastline is known for towering redwood forests that give way to dramatic oceanside cliffs. Travelers, artists and writers come here for a reason – find inspiration yourself by staying in one of the best inns and hotels in Big Sur.

1. Post Ranch Inn

Resort, Inn, Hotel, Treehouse

Post Ranch Inn Treehouse lounge | Courtesy of Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

Perched 1,200 feet (366m) above the Pacific Ocean, on the cliffs of Big Sur, this luxury resort is a true escape from the everyday. The 39 rooms embrace rustic elegance and offer either sweeping ocean vistas or picture-perfect mountain views. Watch the sun melt into the ocean in the evening from its award-winning Sierra Mar restaurant, where you can enjoy a daily four-course fixed menu and an acclaimed wine list with over 15,000 bottles. Elsewhere, the spa offers a range of signature treatments, including astrology readings and gemstone therapy.

2. Ventana Big Sur

Resort, Eco Hotel

The outdoor pool with sunbeds, lined with plants and greenery, at Ventana Big Sur

There are vast accommodation options at Ventana Big Sur – some rooms have forest showers, some boast hot tubs, while others are built around wood-burning fireplaces. But to really connect with nature and indulge in a glamping experience, spend the night in one of the safari-style tent cabins – each tent offers expansive views over a 20-acre (8ha) canyon and comes equipped with a luxurious bed, a firepit, cooler and s’mores ingredients to bring the camping experience to life. Venturing out for the day? Pick up one of the gourmet picnic kits or hiker’s lunches on offer.

3. Big Sur Lodge

Lodge

Follow in the footsteps of generations of travelers, artists and writers, and surround yourself with the majesty of Big Sur’s ancient redwoods of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which is also called “mini-Yosemite” thanks to its natural beauty. Accommodation options at Big Sur Lodge span from cosy rooms to cottages that sleep up to four and feature convenient kitchenettes, making it an ideal family getaway. A dip in its pool and a trip to its restaurant, overlooking a picturesque creek, should be on the agenda.

5. Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn

Inn, Hotel

Located on the edge of the redwood forest, Deetjen’s has been welcoming guests since the 1930s. Rooms at the inn, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, are a celebration of simple luxury, and there is a beautiful garden complete with a waterfall splashing into a creek. If you want to gain insight into the history of the place, sign up for a tour of the inn, which takes place every Tuesday through to Saturday at 10am.

6. Treebones

Resort, Hotel

Get back to nature in this yurt village – a completely off-the-grid eco-glamping resort with a mission to protect the natural environment of Big Sur. The plush yurts have comfy beds, tables and chairs, running water and redwood decks with ocean views. For something a bit fancier, book the Autonomous tent, which boasts more than 500 square feet (46 square meters) of living space, a gas fireplace and a clawfoot bathtub. For a truly unique experience, go for the “human nest,” a timber nest structure created by Big Sur artist Jayson Fann that lets you camp under the open skies.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.