Big Sur

Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the central coast where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The terrain offers stunning views, making Big Sur a popular tourist destination.

The Big Sur residents are a diverse mix: descendants of the original settler and rancher families, artists and other creative types.

The section of Highway 1 running through Big Sur is widely considered as one of the most scenic driving routes in the United States, if not the world. Because gazing at the views while driving is inadvisable, the highway features many strategically placed vista points allowing motorists to stop and admire the landscape.