Information / Sources, Big Sur

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Favorite thing: there are many lodging and dining options along the big sur area in the Pacific Coast and there is a few gas stations located along this 90 mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway. Most of the lodging facilities are located at Big Sur Proper but there are also accomodations dotting along the Pacific Central Coast and among the Lodging Facilities are the Big Sur Lodge, Big Sur Inn, Fernwood Resort, Gorda Inn Resort, The Lucia Lodge and more. The best thing to do at big sur is to do Nature Activities like hiking, Mountain Climbing, White River Rafting, Biking and other nature related activities.

website is: www.bigsurcalifornia.org/

Fondest memory: according to their website:

In other awards, Big Sur was voted "Best Place to Play Hookie," and "Best Romantic Getaway." Big Sur is also home of the "Best Marathon in North America" and the "Best Hotel in North America." Adding to our 'best of' list, Big Sur is now home to the "Best Restaurant in California," per the Zagat Survey. National Geographic Traveler listed Big Sur as one of the "50 Places of a Lifetime/The World's Greatest Destinations." Playboy Magazine rates Post Ranch Inn as one of the "sexiest" places on earth (Feb. '07). Consistently a 'top pick' for weekend getaways and fantasy vacations." Home to Traveler's Choice "Ten Greenest Accommodations in the World" award to Post Ranch Inn which ranked #3 in the world for greenest hotel, which gives them the #1 ranking for greenest lodging in Big Sur.

Favorite thing: There's a good information center in Big Sur Valley's Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park. You can get information on hiking in the area, as well as facilities and upcoming events. There are a number of redwoods in the area around the information center.

Favorite thing: Find much needed water. We’ve been out. We’re thirsty. We were back at the base of the loop, where the waterfall was. A lot of California waters have Kooties and that gives you the trots. You do not wish to have it. We drank the water. So far so good… intestines working fine and not at a faster pace. (Writing 5 days after. I think I am in the clear)

Favorite thing: The fog came in last night. But no worries, it burns off by midday. Under the clouds of the fog we make breakfast and go gather wood. This was done legally at the Big Sur Market for about $7.00 a bundle. It was now time to pack lunches for our afternoon hike.

Favorite thing: Electricity did not arrive in Big Sur until the early 1950's, and it still does not extend the length of the coast or into the more remote mountainous areas. No worries, the locals do not want you to go wandering around those places anyway.

Favorite thing: The earliest known people to live in the area were the Ohlone, also called the Costanoan, Native Americans. (Cliff dwellers in Spanish, I think) Peaceful bands of this tribe populated present-day California from the Golden Gate to Big Sur some 3,000 to 3,500 years ago. They were hunters and gatherers, until they were virtually wiped out in the late 1700s by European diseases and attempts to change their religion and lifestyle. (read: enslaved)

Favorite thing: ...while driving over Bixbie Bridge

I’ve been to the Hearst Castle a few times with the family, and found some info on good ol’ Billy Randolph. There are some interesting tidbits about the mansion that they don’t elaborate on when you take the tours, but I feel is important to know. Chinese Slave Labor built much of the Castle. He took some slaves for his own personal usage from the Railway labor. Also, while taking the tour, you will see many artifacts that look like they belong in Catholic Churches. Well, surprisingly enough most were in Catholic Churches until he paid a visit to them with his mob-squad and instructed his goons to take what he wanted. Extorting extortionists.

Favorite thing: 1937, the present highway was completed after eighteen years of construction at a considerable expense even with the aid of convict labor. The highway has since been declared California's first Scenic Highway

Favorite thing: Big Sur, the “town” (read: there really isn’t one) is located 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of LA. But it is actually a 90-mile stretch of rugged and awesomely beautiful coastline between Carmel to the north and San Simeon (Hearst Castle) to the south.

Fondest memory: If you plan to drive it once, it is better to drive south, because it is much easier to stop your car off the side of the road, especially on tourist days.

Favorite thing: When driving to Big Sur from the Bay Area, you will be driving through areas such as Monterey and Carmel. This is also very close to the Laguna Seca Raceway. You can tell it is race season by nice arses in camouflage.

Fondest memory: She walked in the picture, what was I supposed to do?