Big Sur

Sun-dappled days under a deep-blue sky. Foggy nights graced by a luminous full moon. Like a classic beauty, Big Sur is stunning in any kind of light. Framed by the Santa Lucia Mountains on one side and the Pacific coast on the other, this 90-mile stretch from Carmel to San Simeon is a blessing for the senses and a balm for the soul.

Settled a century ago, this craggy landscape, caressed by mist and suffused with the scent of sage, offers a wealth of ways to be nurtured by nature. Hike for an hour — or a day — in one of many protected parks, including redwood and oak-studded Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, or Andrew Molera State Park, the area’s largest, where miles of trails meander through meadows and along beaches and bluffs.

Savor canyon and ocean views from Bixby Bridge, one of the world’s highest single-span concrete bridges, towering 300 feet above Bixby Creek Canyon. Tour the Point Sur Lighthouse, perched above the surf on a volcanic rock promontory. Or sink your toes in the sand and watch life’s every tension wash away with the tides.

Accommodations in Big Sur range from rustic to regal, with even the most opulent resorts designed to blend with the natural surroundings. Passionate readers will find literary pleasures at the Henry Miller Memorial Library, featuring first editions and fine art from the provocative writer. And fine food for thought awaits at the popular Nepenthe Restaurant, the retreat Orson Welles reportedly purchased for new bride Rita Hayworth in 1944.

Both pristine and untamed, The Big Sur Coast is a sublime reminder of the serenity of nature. As you roll along ocean-hugging Highway One, little matters beyond the next bend in the road.