Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the turnoff, which is a half-mile south of Big Sur Station on the ocean side of
Hwy 1, it's two narrow, twisting miles down to the beach (RVs and trailers prohibited).
Henry Miller Memorial Library
ARTS CENTER
'It was here in Big Sur I first learned to say Amen!' wrote novelist Henry Miller, a Big Sur
denizen from 1944 to 1962. More of a beatnik memorial, alt-cultural venue and bookshop,
this community gathering spot was never Miller's home. The house belonged to Miller's
friend, painter Emil White, until his death and is now run by a nonprofit group. Stop by to
browse and hang out on the front deck. It's about 0.4 miles south of Nepenthe restaurant.
Inside are copies of all of Miller's written works, many of his paintings and a collection
of Big Sur and Beat Generation material, including copies of the top 100 books Miller said
most influenced him. Check the online calendar for upcoming events.
Partington Cove
BEACH
(off Hwy 1)
It's a raw, breathtaking spot where crashing surf salts your skin. On the steep, half-mile dirt
hike down to the cove, you'll cross a cool bridge and go through an even cooler tunnel.
The cove's water is unbelievably aqua and within it grow tangled kelp forests. Look for the
unmarked trailhead turnoff inside a hairpin turn on the ocean side of Hwy 1, about 6 miles
south of Nepenthe restaurant and 2 miles north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
The trail starts just beyond the locked vehicle gate. There's no real beach access and
ocean swimming isn't safe, but some people scamper on the rocks and look for tide pools
as waves splash ominously. Originally used for loading freight, Partington Cove allegedly
became a landing spot for Prohibition-era bootleggers.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
PARK
831-667-2315;
www.parks.ca.gov
;
Hwy 1; per car $10;
30min before sun-
rise-30min after sunset; )
If you're chasing waterfalls, swing into this state park named for a Big Sur pioneer. From
the parking lot, the 1.3-mile round-trip Overlook Trail rushes downhill toward the ocean,
passing through a tunnel underneath Hwy 1. Everyone comes to photograph 80ft-high
