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With over 90 miles of postcard-worthy coastline, Big Sur is an unmissable sight in California. While some travelers opt to take a road trip along the iconic Highway 1, staying overnight gives more time to explore. From Big Sur glamping tents and cozy inns to world-class accommodations, there are plenty of choices for travelers. All of these accommodations have a wide price point so there’s no need to worry about breaking the bank.
So if you’re looking where to stay in Big Sur, here’s a look at some of the best hotels in this beautiful region!
(Take note that prices per night depend on the season and are subject to change without prior notice.)
Best All-Around Big Sur Hotels
1. Bernardus Lodge & Spa
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Photo from Bernardus Lodge & Spa Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: 415 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA 93924, United States
Price: Check current rates on the resort's website
Bernardus Lodge & Spa is surrounded by hectares of gardens and vineyards. It has 73 guest rooms ranging from mountain-view rooms to grand villas with fireplaces, soaking tubs, and private patios. The resort features an outdoor heated lap pool overlooking the mountains and vineyards, a tennis court, and a croquet lawn.
Guests can take part in a winery tour and wine tasting, a Land Rover driving school, or a tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea. For relaxation, indulge in massage therapies at the spa and join wellness programs like yoga, endurance hikes, and children’s yoga.
2. Big Sur River Inn
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Photo from Big Sur River Inn Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: 46800 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920, United States
Price: Check current rates on the inn's website
Big Sur River Inn is near Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. It offers motel-style rooms with one or two queen-sized beds overlooking Highway One from the main lodge. For families or large groups, the two-bedroom suite is a better option, overlooking a wide lawn and the redwood-dotted Big Sur River. The suites include one king-sized bed, a queen-sized bed, and trundle-style beds in the living room. A general store sells locally-made goods, beer, wine, and homemade take-out food. The restaurant serves classic meals along the riverbanks; guests shouldn’t miss their best-selling apple pie. Sundays feature outdoor music performances (weather permitting) with food and drinks.
3. Glen Oaks Big Sur
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Photo from Glen Oaks Big Sur Facebook Page[/caption]
Glen Oaks Big Sur is a stylish and rustic accommodation surrounded by redwood trees. This former motor lodge now has different rooms starting from simple lodges with a gas fireplace, free WiFi, and a private outdoor terrace. For bigger groups or those who want more privacy, the Bridge House offers heated floors, a full kitchen, and a private courtyard. Most furnishings are sustainable and eco-friendly, with heated recycled stone floors, adobe walls, and organic linen.
The on-site restaurant serves hearty meals made from locally sourced organic ingredients. Glen Oaks Big Sur is also one of the Big Sur hotels located near state parks and other points of interest like Pfeiffer Beach, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and Andrew Molera State Park. And despite being so close to nature, there are still many urban activities you can engage in around the area, from shopping to visiting art galleries.
4. InterContinental The Clement Monterey
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Photo from InterContinental The Clement Monterey Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: 750 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, United States
Price: Check current rates on the hotel's website
InterContinental The Clement Monterey is a beautiful hotel on historic Cannery Row. It has elegant rooms overlooking the Monterey Coast, perfect for sunset views. All rooms and suites feature flat-screen cable TVs, high-speed internet, and a marble bathroom. Luxury suites add a balcony with scenic ocean views, a fireplace, and a garden. The hotel also provides rooms for mobility and hearing impaired guests, complete with bathtub grab bars and lowered closet doors.
Stroll the hotel’s boardwalk, swim in the heated outdoor pool, or soak in the hot tub. Head to the spa for pampering. For guests who prefer heading out, soak up the sun at Pebble Beach, see animals at Monterey Bay Aquarium, or hike the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. End the day with drinks at the bar or al fresco dining by the fire pit.
Best Luxury Hotels in Big Sur
5. Ventana Big Sur, An Alila Resort
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Photo from Ventana Big Sur Booking.com Page[/caption]
For the ultimate luxury getaway, head to Ventana Big Sur. The 5-star adults-only resort is nestled between 160 acres of giant redwood trees overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It offers glamping tents, guest rooms with fireplaces, suites with hot tubs and private balconies, and cottage houses.
All rooms feature modern interiors blending with wooden accents and rustic decor. There are two heated outdoor pools and a Japanese hot bath. Its spa, Spa Alila, offers massages and reflexology treatments with a view of the lush forests. Notable sites like Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Andrew Molera State Park are also accessible from Ventana Big Sur for guests who want to explore.
6. Hyatt Carmel Highlands
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Photo from Hyatt Carmel Highlands Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, CA 93923, United States
Price: Check current rates on the hotel's website
Hyatt Carmel Highlands is a luxury Big Sur resort atop a cliff in the Carmel Highlands, with an outdoor swimming pool, balcony views, and world-class restaurants. Rooms have contemporary designs with full or partial ocean or garden views. Simple suites have a queen bed, sofa bed, and bathtub; upscale suites include large marble tubs, balconies, and king-size beds. Guests can enjoy spa services in their rooms, gourmet food and handcrafted cocktails at the on-site restaurant and lounge bar with floor-to-ceiling windows, and activities like horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, and wine tasting.
7. Post Ranch Inn
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Photo from Post Ranch Inn Official Website[/caption]
Sitting 1,200 feet above the sea, Post Ranch Inn is one of the best luxury Big Sur hotels. It is also one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly hotels in the area, using natural materials like wood, stone, and solar heat. The inn has 40 rooms with ocean or mountain views, each featuring a wood-burning fireplace, private deck, indoor spa tub or walk-in shower, and a minibar with complimentary snacks and beverages. Private houses offer floor-to-ceiling windows, a private backyard, outdoor hot tub, and Pacific Ocean views.
The hotel spa offers organic treatments and shaman sessions. The on-site restaurant, Sierra Mar, serves meals paired with California wines and has unparalleled Big Sur views.
Best Glamping Hotels in Big Sur
8. Treebones Resort
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Photo from Treebones Resort Facebook Page[/caption]
For the best glamping tents, choose Treebones Resort. They offer Mongolian-inspired yurts complete with a small table, chairs, couch, and plush beds with quilts. Guests can choose whether they want a partial or a full view of the ocean. Other accommodation options include solar panel-powered tents and twig huts hand-woven by Jayson Fann, an artist from Big Sur. For travelers who want a simple camping experience, Treebones Resort also has campsites that overlook the Pacific Ocean.
Fees include the use of resort facilities like the spa, pool, and picnic tables. One of the two on-site restaurants offers garden-to-table food made with organic produce and has indoor and outdoor seating. The sushi bar boasts an 18-course tasting menu that showcases seafood and herbs fresh from the resort’s organic garden.
9. Ventana Campground
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Photo from Ventana Campground Official Website[/caption]
Near Ventana Big Sur is Ventana Campground, one of the best luxury glamping spots in the U.S. Each canvas tent has plush mattresses, USB plugs, and heated blankets. A wood-burning fire pit and a propane fire pit on the deck are available along with handheld lanterns and access to potable water. Staying at Ventana Campground also allows guests to camp near the redwoods in a secure space as patrollers roam around the campgrounds at night.
Firewood is available at the camp store (at an additional fee) although guests are welcome to bring their own. There are also tent campgrounds available, but they have limited amenities as compared to glamping tents. Take note that campers don’t have access to WiFi while glamping guests have access.
Best Pet-friendly Big Sur Hotels
10. Big Sur Lodge
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Photo form Big Sur Lodge Booking.com Page[/caption]
Big Sur Lodge is perfect for families or large groups. Located in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, one of the best camping spots in California, the lodge offers spacious cottages that can fit up to four people. All cottages have a kitchenette, wood-burning fireplace, and a balcony where guests can admire the tall redwood trees.
As it is located in the heart of a state park, walking trails and other park highlights are within easy reach. The on-site restaurant serves classic American meals with a view of the redwood trees. Additionally, the gift shop and general store provide last-minute shopping needs. Big Sur Lodge is also one of the few Big Sur hotels that allow dogs (at an additional 50 USD fee), so guests can let their furry friends join in on the fun. Take note that WiFi and cell phone reception may be slow and that guests are encouraged to disconnect and spend time with nature.
11. Ragged Point Inn
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Photo from Ragged Point Inn Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: 19019 Highway 1, San Simeon, 93452, United States
Price: Check current rates on the inn's website
Ragged Point Inn is a cliffside accommodation along Highway One. All rooms have views of the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Lucia mountains, or the gardens. Some rooms have gas fireplaces, a private adjoining bath, and an oversized jacuzzi tub. It is one of the few Big Sur hotels that allow dogs and service animals for an additional fee.
Marvel at the cliffside views while enjoying a complimentary breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Ragged Point Restaurant, which uses fresh ingredients from the cliff-side garden. Guests can also sample the region’s best wines or craft beers paired with savory bar chow at the bar.
12. San Simeon Lodge
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Photo from San Simeon Lodge Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: 9520 Castillo Drive, San Simeon, CA 93452, United States
Price: Check current rates on the lodge's website
For those seeking a budget-friendly Big Sur hotel, San Simeon Lodge offers a peaceful escape with basic amenities. All rooms include a coffee maker, mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, and free WiFi. The restaurant serves steak, seafood, and premium wine with ocean views. It is pet-friendly for an additional fee, and the bar features affordable draft beers, cocktails, and karaoke on Friday and Saturday. The lodge sits near Hearst Castle, a majestic estate with gardens, pools, and European-style architecture that rivals castles in Europe. San Simeon Beach and William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach are also nearby.
13. Carmel Valley Lodge
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Photo from Carmel Valley Lodge Booking.com Page[/caption]
Carmel Valley Lodge is an eco-friendly lodging near the main Big Sur coastline, set on three acres of flora and fauna. It offers basic one- and two-bedroom units and three-bedroom cottages for families or large groups. All rooms include a fireplace, fridge, flat-screen TV, and a balcony, patio, or wooden deck. The lodge has dog-friendly rooms and a wheelchair-accessible room with a roll-in shower, bench, and grab bar. Located in Carmel Valley, it provides access to attractions in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, and Monterey Bay.
Best Big Sur Hotels with Handicapped-Accessible Rooms
14. Fernwood Resort
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Photo from Fernwood Resort Booking.com Page[/caption]
Fernwood Resort offers hotel rooms, forest view cabins, glamping tents, and RV camping. Basic rooms include queen-sized beds, twin beds, and bathrooms; some have a hot tub and gas fireplace. Glamping tents feature a queen bed, electric heater, picnic table, and fire pit. The resort has wheelchair-accessible ramps, toilets, and showers. Located near state parks and hiking trails, guests can explore the area, then head to the Tavern for dinner and drinks.
15. Seven Gables Inn
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Photo from Seven Gables Inn Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: 555 Ocean View Boulevard, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, United States
Price: Check current rates on the inn’s website
Enjoy the ocean breeze at Seven Gables Inn, an award-winning boutique hotel on the Monterey Peninsula. Every guest room offers picture-perfect coastal views and antique furniture that reinforces the Victorianesque feel. The hotel includes a handicapped-accessible room with an accessible parking space, multiple grab bars in the bathroom, and a step stool available upon request. Guests receive complimentary wine, micro plush robes, and binoculars (upon request).
Around the inn, guests can visit art galleries, libraries, shopping boutiques, and theaters. Depending on the season, guests can go hiking, golfing, whale watching, or sailing.
16. Hotel Carmel
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Photo from Hotel Carmel Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: Corner of 4th & San Carlos Street, Carmel, 93923, United States
Price: Check current rates on the hotel's website
Hotel Carmel is a charming and rustic Big Sur hotel in the Carmel-by-the-Sea area. It is within walking distance of restaurants, galleries, and shops. The 30 spacious rooms have a cozy, rustic vibe with wooden or woven bedframes and wicker chairs. Rooms designed for guests with disabilities are available. Complimentary continental breakfast includes fruits, cereal, baked goods, milk, and beverages. For lunch, dinner, and late-night drinks, head to Brophy’s Tavern. Carmel Beach is less than a kilometer away, and guests can take a day trip to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Best Romantic Hotels in Big Sur
17. L'Auberge Carmel
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Photo from L'Auberge Carmel Booking.com Page[/caption]
Address: Monte Verde & Seventh Avenue, P.O Box J, Carmel, CA 93921, United States
Price: Check current rates on the resort's website
L'Auberge Carmel is a charming boutique hotel in downtown Carmel. Its building dates back to 1929, with cream-colored walls, hardwood flooring, French windows, and antique furniture. Free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and Bose audio docks add modern practicality. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast made with seasonal ingredients or an eight-course tasting menu from the Michelin-starred on-site restaurant. There is no hotel spa, but guests can book in-room spa services. Guests can also request special excursions to places like Pebble Beach (to be requested weeks before check-in).
18. Tickle Pink Inn
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Photo from Tickle Pink Inn Official Website[/caption]
Address: 155 Highland Drive, Carmel, CA 93923 United States
Despite its name, Tickle Pink Inn is surrounded by beautiful forests overlooking the Big Sur coastline. This luxury hotel’s homey and romantic atmosphere is perfect for vacationing couples and honeymooners. All rooms have an ocean view, furnished with elegant European decor and Italian-made Egyptian cotton linen. Select rooms have an in-room spa and a wood-burning fireplace.
Upon arrival, guests receive complimentary perks like a bottle of champagne on ice and a continental breakfast with baked pastries. Take a dip in the outdoor hot tub and enjoy the scenic views or sip on California wines paired with cheese, crackers, and fruits.
19. Deetjen's Big Sur Inn
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Photo from Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Official Website[/caption]
Address: 48865 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920, United States
Deetjen's Big Sur Inn dates back to the early 1930s as one of the first Big Sur hotels to offer lodging after Highway One opened. Its heritage has earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Popular with honeymooners, it offers rustic, charming rooms decorated with small trinkets, overlooking gardens and redwood forests. The on-site restaurant, housed in wood-paneled rooms with vintage decor, is a tourist destination in itself. With no WiFi, TVs, or phone coverage, it is the best place to unwind if you want to disconnect from fast-paced city life.
20. Lucia Lodge
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Photo by André H. via Flickr[/caption]
Address: 62400 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, United States
A white picket fence is all that separates Lucia Lodge and a 300-foot cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the family-run Big Sur hotels and has been welcoming guests for several years now. The hotel also features only 10 cabins, all with rustic decor and views of the Santa Lucia Mountains or the Pacific Ocean. While these rooms don’t have amenities like TVs and telephones, the sounds of crashing waves make up for it. On certain days, guests might even get the chance to spot whales passing and sea otters playing.
The on-site restaurant serves hearty family-style meals with gorgeous cliffside views. Since Lucia Lodge is relatively far from commercial establishments, the convenience store provides drinks, deli, baked goods, camping supplies, and groceries.
Have an Unforgettable Stay at Big Sur Hotels
Big Sur is one of the most gorgeous places in the United States, with postcard-worthy sights that make it one of the best drives on Earth. While many visit on day trips from San Francisco, staying at Big Sur hotels lets you appreciate its environment and natural wonders more deeply. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, McWay Falls, and the iconic Bixby Creek bridge become more accessible, so you don’t have to cram your vacation. Whether you want quaint cabins surrounded by redwoods or luxurious spa resorts, there are plenty of hotels in Big Sur to choose from.
