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Beyond the Highway, Big Sur
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Beyond the Highway, Big Sur

Beyond the Highway tips and photos posted by real travelers and Big Sur locals.
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• 11 Reviews

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Beyond the Highway: If you're based in Big Sur,...
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  • Krystynn
  • By Krystynn on September 12, 2002
  • Big Sur Page by Krystynn
  • Beyond the Highway - Big Sur
    by Krystynn
    If you're based in Big Sur, you can make side trips to visit the following towns and other tourist attractions:-


    Monterey
    Carmel-by-the-Sea
    17-Mile Drive/ Pebble Beach
    Hearst Castle, San Simeon.....

    Just to name a few....
    Photo Below: Hearst Castle. That's a candid shot of me standing next to the huge outdoor swimming pool.... on a chilly and FOGGY summer morning. Brrrr...

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    Beyond the Highway: Stop at the rest areas, SEE the beauty before you
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  • matthieuxjames
  • By matthieuxjames on April 25, 2005
  • Big Sur Page by matthieuxjames
  • Beyond the Highway - Big Sur
    by matthieuxjames
    Highway 1 along the California coast is a drive to be enjoyed, to be savored. Don't treat it merely as a place between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Take your time and soak in the sunshine...too much driving is never a good thing anyway.

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    Beyond the Highway: Gallery One just outside the...
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  • JeanCooke
  • By JeanCooke on August 25, 2002
  • Big Sur Page by JeanCooke
  • Beyond the Highway - Big Sur
    by JeanCooke
    Gallery One just outside the town of Big Sur, features local well-known artists: metal sculptures, photographers, wood carvers and candle makers.

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    Beyond the Highway: Guitar player singing his own...
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  • JeanCooke
  • By JeanCooke on August 25, 2002
  • Big Sur Page by JeanCooke
  • Beyond the Highway - Big Sur
    by JeanCooke
    Guitar player singing his own ballads to the ocean at Esalen. What a surprise to find him tucked away by a tree while we ate our lunch.

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    Beyond the Highway: Pristine hidden valley with historical interest
    gordonye
  • Updated By gordonye on December 17, 2003
  • Big Sur Page by gordonye
  • The Fort Hunter-Liggett is a decommissioned army base just east of the Santa Lucia Mountains, occupying a large hidden valley. The area has never been subject to modern agriculture therefore the landscape is pristine with idyllic oaks, creeks, and rolling grasslands. Within the base lies well-preserved Mission San Antonio de Padua, one of the more successful 18th century Spanish Missions. The sense of isolation and history of this place is amazing.

    To go to Mission San Antonio, take Nacimiento Road from Highway 1, approximately 60 miles south of Carmel. The road climbs up the coast ridge to about 3800 feet, providing incredibly ocean views. Then drive further east along a pristine canyon with creekside campgrounds. Next you will enter the Fort, (do not carry illegal items, and make sure have your car registration and driver's license with you), and follow signs to the Mission. Within the fort you cannot leave the road until you're at Mission San Antonio. To leave the fort there is also an eastern exit (Jolon Road) which leads to King City on Highway 101.

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    Beyond the Highway: Big Sur itself is often forgotten.
    Pavlik_NL
  • By Pavlik_NL on October 16, 2002
  • Big Sur Page by Pavlik_NL
  • Beyond the Highway - Big Sur
    by Pavlik_NL
    Big Sur and it's nice bridges of the scenic route nr. 1 is often forgotten as time is mainly spend at Hearst Castle, Carmel (Pebbles Beach) and Monterey. Just stop for a nice break of one hour and walk along the coast to enjoy the beauty that is all around.

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    Beyond the Highway: get off the highway and discover.......
    druvincent2112
  • By druvincent2112 on April 13, 2003
  • Big Sur Page by druvincent2112
  • where is this?? its a secret - Big Sur
    where is this?? its a secret
    by druvincent2112
    Big Sur is a 90 mile stretch of Hwy One from Carmel t o San Simeon...however get off the Highway and discover more of the real Big Sur...check out the hikes....check out the mountains...smell the ocean
    the Esalen Indians , who once roamed this area, travelled more west to east than north to south....they knew things!!!

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    Beyond the Highway: Cyprese Cedars and Monterey Pines
    Chiliweenie
  • By Chiliweenie on March 18, 2004
  • Big Sur Page by Chiliweenie
  • Deep Forest - Big Sur
    Deep Forest
    by Chiliweenie
    Driving along Route 1 affords many places to stop and hike, either down to the shore or through the woods. The scent of the pines is magnified by the damness of the fog. The flora is interesting against the back drop of an angry sea.

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    Beyond the Highway: Fort Hunter Liggett
    Ewingjr98
  • Updated By Ewingjr98 on January 27, 2008
  • Big Sur Page by Ewingjr98
  • the road to Hunter-Liggett - Big Sur
    the road to Hunter-Liggett
    by Ewingjr98, 4 more photos
    Everyone knows you get to Big Sur via Highway 1, but few seem to know about the back way to Big Sur via the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. About half of this route runs through the Los Padres National Forest, while the other half goes through Fort Hunter-Liggett, an active US Army post.

    The main gate at Hunter-Liggett is near Jolon, just off Highway 101. To get on post you must have a photo ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Once on the post you can visit the historic sites of Mission San Antonio, the Hearst Hacienda, and the ancient Native American art at La Cueva Pintada (The Painted Cave) . Also on the fort you are likely to see soldiers training, hundreds of vehicles in motor pools, and even tank targets out on the ranges. The fort was created to provide a training ground for soldiers, and its 165,000 acres provide plenty of opportunity for that! The majority of the base was purchased from William Randolph Hearst. Fort Hunter Liggett was under control of Monterey's Fort Ord until it closed in 1993. Today Fort Hunter Liggett falls uner the command of Fort McCoy, WI and is used mainly to train guard and reserve forces. Cone Peak, at 5,155 feet, is the highest peak within the fort.

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  • Phone: (831)386-2900
  • Website: http://www.liggett.army.mil/sites/local/
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    Beyond the Highway: Mission San Antonio de Padua
    Ewingjr98
  • Updated By Ewingjr98 on January 28, 2008
  • Big Sur Page by Ewingjr98
  • The original church face - Big Sur
    The original church face
    by Ewingjr98,
    4 more photos
    Mission San Antonio de Padua was constructed in 1771 and was the third of 21 Spanish missions in California. The original location was a few miles away, but the facilities were moved to the current location in 1773. The missionaries built the mission much as you see it today, with a large quadrangle, mission church, a mill, and reservoirs. Though the 1830s the mission was very successful with large herds of sheep and cattle. In the 1830s the missions were secularized by the Mexican government, and Mission San Antonio was maintained by a few priests until the 1880s. By 1906 the elements and earthquakes destroyed most of the original mission, leaving just a few walls and the original church facade. When William Randolph Hearst bought the property he gave significant funds for rebuilding the mission, and after the US army purchased the land, restoration continued.

    Today Mission San Antonio de Padua is one of the only Spanish missions in California that exists in a similar natural environment as during the Spanish times. This is a beautiful mission in a secluded valley that is very welcoming to the rare visitors who make this trek. We loved the little cats that run around the mission just begging to be petted by anyone who comes near. Visiting the mission, gardens, and surrounding grounds is free, but the museum asks for a small entry fee.

    This is the most off-the-beaten path of the missions. From Big Sur, take Nacimiento-Ferguson Road through Los Padres National Forest to Fort Hunter Liggett, then drive through the base to Mission Road. From Hwy 101 head to Jolon and enter Fort Hunter Liggett. Take Mission road to the mission.

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  • Phone: (831) 385-4478
  • Website: http://missiontour.org/sanantonio/index.htm
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