Big Sur, California
Oct 2005

Photos © Peter Mansbach, Oct 2005.
No commercial use without written permission.

Big Sur is the rocky and mountainous stretch of California coast south of Monterey and Carmel. I drove down Route 1, which follows the shoreline as closely as possible. Every bend revealed another incredible view of cliffs and ocean. There are a number of state parks in this area, and many hiking trails. I did short hikes/walks at Andrew Molera State Park, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park, Pfeiffer Beach, Garrapata State Park, and Point Lobos State Reserve. And I ate dinner and watched the sun set at Nepenthe.




Bixby Bridge
Bixby Bridge, near the northern end of Big Sur



Ocean, with pampas grass in foreground

The Big Sur coastline is often shrouded in fog
Big Sur in fog



Surf on the rocks, Garrapata State Park


Pfeiffer Beach

At the end of a two-mile long, narrow, unmarked side road is Pfeiffer Beach.

Bird, surf, rocks


Ocean flowing through dark rocks


Woman on the rocks, contemplating the ocean
Unidentified woman


Nepenthe
Nepenthe is a restaurant perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. While the food is good, the main attraction is the "floor show": the sunset over the Pacific. Stunning. Lovely. Relaxing. Just sit and watch. (Nepenthe web site)


Sunset, from Nepenthe
The view		 Diners
watch
the
sun
set


Point Lobos - Wildlife

Point Lobos is just south of Carmel. When I visited, there was a lot of wildlife activity:


Seals,
pelicans (are they kissing or fighting?),
and a sea otter.



Return to my home page