Big Sur is in Our Hearts Now
I intended to blog about Mendocino tonight — and I will — but my family and I had such a lovely day today in Big Sur, I thought I’d write about it!
I have four brothers, and was so happy to host two of them this weekend! We are all drawn to Big Sur — it’s in our hearts.
We’ve heard such dire news about Big Sur being “closed” after 83 inches of rain in the past few months, we weren’t sure what to expect, but we decided to see how far south of Carmel visitors can drive on Highway One.
The usual number of cars were parked outside the entrance to Point Lobos www.parks.ca.gov/pointlobos, www.pointlobos.org — a good sign. We met other cars on Highway One, but not as many as we did just a few months ago. Lots of people were parked before the renowned Bixby Bridge to take photos, and there were several visitors’ cars parked at the base of the Point Sur Lighthouse www.pointsur.org.
It was lunchtime, and we were all famished, and very happy to see that the Big Sur River Inn Restaurant www.restaurantatbigsur.com was open! We sat outside on the deck, as the Big Sur River, no longer a trickle, rushed by. Four BS BLTs please, applewood smoked bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and chipotle aioli on sliced California sourdough. Yummy.
After lunch, we continued south, and saw that many Big Sur businesses are open, including Glen Oaks Big Sur www.glenoaksbigsur.com, where my husband and I spent a romantic weekend a couple of years ago; Fernwood Resort www.fernwoodbigsur.com; and the Big Sur Lodge www.bigsurlodge.com (limited hours) are all open!
The Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge (Monterey County Post Mile 45.52) that was demolished in March is, literally, the end of the road. Although Pfeiffer Beach, one of our favorite beaches in the area, is just beyond, large signs prevent further exploration.
Adjacent to the road closure signs is the Big Sur Ranger Station, with restrooms, vending machines and a small bookstore with a decent selection of local travel books, field guides and maps. And take a look at the hillsides above the Ranger Station to see the glorious explosion of wild golden poppies!
Sadly, because of heavy rains and mud slides, the area between the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge and Ragged Point (San Luis Obispo County) is open to residents only. The approximately 400 stranded people who live in between have received airlifts of supplies, and now have a residents-only bypass trail, and await news on bridge and road repair. For current information, please check thebigsurblog.com or the CalTrans website, www.dot.ca.gov for updates on State Route 1.
So take a trip south on Highway One — enjoy one of the most majestic scenic drives in the world. Have lunch, have dinner, spend the night — Big Sur businesses need business now, and they need our support.
