So this is my second year posting a “5 Places I want to go in…” in a row. I honestly view this as more of putting my intentions/hopes out into the universe type of thing. What I mean is, I don’t truly expect that I’ll get to go to all five places I list. But I think it kind of gives me some ideas of the kinds of things I want to try and do/see travel-wise in the coming year.
Guys, I got one! Trey and I went to Big Sur, CA last weekend, and it RULED. Trey booked the trip for us as a 30th birthday present to me (I turned 30 this past January). He’s a keeper. 🙂
So what did we do? Well, I’m so glad you asked.
We flew into San Francisco, which is about four hours away from where we were lodging. Big Sur is a long stretch along the coast between San Fran and LA. This might sound like a long drive, but it’s mostly along Hwy 1, which is just beautiful! It goes along the coast so you can see the electric blue Pacific Ocean as you wind along the highway.
We stayed in a yurt at the Treebones Resort. I would totally recommend them; our stay was great if you like glamping. (I sort of hate that word, but it’s also kind of funny I guess.)
Along with yurts, campgrounds, tree houses, and few other fun lodging options, they also have an AMAZING sushi bar. It only seats 10 at a time, and it was easily the best sushi of our lives (and Trey loves sushi, so we eat it pretty much everywhere we go). The chef, Yancy Knapp, is insanely talented and a super sweet guy. I was seriously inspired by his creations, and I’m not even the biggest sushi fan.
We spent two days (it was only a four day trip total) hiking. I really cannot describe how beautiful Big Sur is. It’s probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been too. You hike through redwood forests as well as see some beautiful beaches all in the same day. We hiked in Limekiln, Salmon Creek, and the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, which is where the famous McWay Falls is located (the waterfall right by the ocean).
Our friend, Abby, drove down from San Francisco one day to hike and hang out with us. So that was a bonus treat to the trip for sure. 🙂
If you ever get a chance to visit Big Sur, CA, I highly recommend you do, especially if you like hiking and pretty views. Thanks for letting me share some snaps from our trip. xx. Emma
Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
Looks like you hit up a ton of gorgeous spots in Big Sur! My question is if a couple were planning an elopement in Big Sur is there any permits or anything they would need to get ahead of time or can they just set up a little ceremony in the woods or on a beach?
This looks beautiful, I would love to visit Big Sur
All the photos look amazing!! I live in LA but haven’t made it to Big Sur yet!
Where did you get your hiking boots? They are super cute 🙂
That seems like such an amazing trip! I had never heard of that place before, but now you definitely make me want to go! I’m not much of a camping kind of gal, but that glamping doesn’t seem half bad. 😉
Beautiful pictures!
Amelie | http://awanderersadventures.wordpress.com
Beautiful!! My husband had a business trip near San Fransisco a few years ago, and we took a few extra days to drive south! We weren’t able to drive any further south than Monterey though, and I would love to go back and make the drive all the way to L.A. 🙂 We live(d) in southern Oregon, so we have great access to the Pacific coast and the Redwoods, but you just cannot beat the color of that water once you get south of San Fransisco! Thanks for sharing 🙂
oh my gosh! i’ve always wanted to visit this beautiful place and its definitely on my bucket list. Amazing photos x
Thank you for the fabulous photos of Big Sur!
My husband and I lived in SF and went to Big Sur twice a year. May and October. We now live in Florida but we are coming to Big Sur in October 2021. You will never forget Big Sur no matter where you are from or where you have been. Napenthe has a live web cam which you can google up and enjoy anytime!
Beautiful photos! Of all the time I’ve spent in California I’ve never done a trip to Big Sur, but now that I’m moving to the state, it’s at the top of my list!
I love Big Sur too! I live in So Cal, so we used to go up there a lot during summers as a kid. I have never seen that waterfall hitting the ocean, so I’m dying to go back up to find it. I also heard about this amazing architect in Monterey that designed the cutest fairy tale cottages in Monterey named Hugh Comstock ~ want to go and find his houses. Look him up if you like architecture because his designs set the stage for much of the architecture in the area. Looks like a beautiful trip. Big Sur is a California gem!
These pictures are GORGEOUS
Amanda Leon | Reads By Amanda www.readsbyamanda.com
Stunning! Adding Big Sur to my must-travel list!
We planned a roadtrip from LA, through Big Sur up to San Fran and then over to Yosemite/Sequoia NP’s and over to Vegas, but we never got to go! I’m still holding out for that roadtrip, as I’m dying to visit McWay Falls! It looks so beautiful! It sounds like you had the most amazing trip!
xo April | April Everyday
Always wanted to go! This is an awesome help, thank you!! The glamping idea sounds fun, I hope not too cold though! Sending this post on to my partner for planning… 🙂
xx Jenelle
www.inspiringwit.com
I consider myself immensely blessed to be live in Southern CA and be able to drive up to Big Sur whenever I want (to an extent). It is my favorite place in the world even though I haven’t been many other places (and I don’t see myself traveling much in the future).
My fiance however is deathly afraid of heights and the one time I was there with him and my family he had a real tough time. It almost made me question our relationship but I like him in spite of our differences. ;] I’ll just have to travel there with our future kids without him–or blindfold him.
wow what a perfect trip! Bucket list for sure!
The photos are stunning and taking me right back to last March.
Me and J got married in Vegas last February and our honeymoon was to drive up the coast of California. What a beautiful state. Big Sur was definitely somewhere i never wanted to leave
www.yankified.com
So beautiful!! I have to go here one day!
Ingunn
www.ingunnsand.wordpress.com
its a beautiful area, we drove up the coast from san diego to san Francisco, on our way up we stayed over night at moon bay. I would do it again in a minute!
We just did this drive this past Sunday! We drove from San Luis Obispo up to Monterey Bay. Simply gorgeous!
Treebones for the win!! Went there for our mini-moon (also a disdainful word, but gets the job done) right after our wedding and it was the perfect place to relax and unwind. Also kudos to you for not supporting those awful luxury resorts that have no place in the serene natural unique space that is Big Sur. Also not sure if you realized but Trrebones is unique in that it is completely off the grid. Important to prioritize a minimal footprint in a place like Big Sur
We took a family trip there 10 years ago and loved every minute of it! The coastal highway is truly breathtaking. We hiked down to some hidden beaches and even saw many of the exact places you’ve photographed above. I agree with you completely; “It’s probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been too.” Happy to hear you’ve marked another item of your list!