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Where to stay in Big Sur

A cliff-top resort 1,200 feet above the Pacific, or Big Sur's historic riverside inn in the redwoods.

  1. Post Ranch InnLuxury · Big Sur coast, 1,200 feet above the Pacific$$$$
  2. Big Sur River InnMid-range · Big Sur Valley, on the Big Sur River$$$$
Standout pick
Post Ranch Inn · $$$$
Easy choice
Big Sur River Inn · $$
Best time
Apr–May · Sep–Oct
Ideal stay
1–2 days

Big Sur has almost no towns and few hotels, so the night you book shapes the drive. Our exclusive pick is a cliff-top resort above the Pacific; our accessible pick is a historic riverside inn in the Big Sur Valley. Prices are shown as a level, from $ to $$$$: rates move with the season and the room, so check the live price before you plan.

Post Ranch Inn

$$$$
Pick no. 1 · The standoutLuxuryBig Sur coast, 1,200 feet above the Pacific

Cliff-top luxury resort for adults, 40 rooms and private homes

Photos: Post Ranch Inn, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

Forty rooms and homes on a Big Sur cliff, with Sierra Mar, infinity pools and breakfast included.

  • Ocean and mountain views
  • Pools
  • Sierra Mar
  • Daily breakfast
See prices (official website)Opens the hotel’s official website.

Why we picked it

We would book it for the most memorable night of a Highway 1 trip: a room on the edge of the cliff with a fire going, breakfast and dinner at Sierra Mar above the clouds, and nothing to drive to. The rate covers far more than usual (breakfast, minibar, guided walks, yoga, pools, even a Lexus for the day), and the 40 rooms keep it quiet.

Best for

  • Couples
  • Honeymoons and anniversaries
  • Nature lovers
  • Rooms and private homes on a ridge 1,200 feet above the ocean, all with wood-burning fireplaces and many with private hot tubs
  • Three Michelin Keys and Sierra Mar, a Michelin Green Star restaurant with more than 3,200 wines
  • Breakfast, minibar, guided hikes, yoga, two infinity pools, a lap pool, parking and Lexus cars included, with no resort fee

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • Ocean and mountain viewsCliff, Ocean and Pacific rooms face the ocean; Peak and Mountain houses the ridge
  • PoolsTwo heated infinity pools and a lap pool
  • Sierra MarMichelin Green Star, Wine Spectator Grand Award wine list
  • Daily breakfastIncluded for overnight guests
  • MinibarComplimentary snacks and drinks
  • Post Ranch SpaReimagined, five treatment spaces, for overnight guests only
  • Yoga and meditationDaily, included in the rate
  • Guided nature hikesPlus garden tours, included
  • Wood-burning fireplacesIn every room
  • Fitness centerIncluded
  • Wi-FiIncluded
  • ParkingComplimentary valet or self-parking
  • Lexus vehiclesComplimentary for four hours, US driver's license required

Big Sur River Inn

$$$$
Pick no. 2 · The easy choiceMid-rangeBig Sur Valley, on the Big Sur River

Historic family-owned roadside inn by the Big Sur River, riverside suites and ridge rooms

Photos: Big Sur River Inn, official website. Shown courtesy of the property.

Big Sur's first resort (1934), with riverside suites, a heated pool and its famous chairs in the river.

  • Heated pool
  • Restaurant
  • Full-service bar
  • General store
See prices (partner link, Trip.com)Official website Opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners.

Why we picked it

We would book it for an easy, cheerful night in the middle of Big Sur: dinner on the deck, a drink with your feet in the river in one of the famous chairs, and breakfast burritos from the store before an early start for McWay Falls. It has run since 1934 under several local families, and it covers the practical things too, gas included.

Best for

  • Families
  • Road trippers
  • Value seekers
  • Big Sur's first resort, opened in 1934, with its famous chairs set in the river and a lawn under the redwoods
  • Riverside suites overlooking the lawn and river, and motel-style ridge rooms across Highway One
  • Restaurant and bar open for breakfast, lunch and dinner all year, a general store with a burrito bar, a heated pool and a gas station

What the hotel offers

As listed on the hotel’s own website.

  • Heated poolOutdoor swimming pool
  • RestaurantBreakfast, lunch and dinner all year, on the decks, lawn or riverbank
  • Full-service barIn the main lodge
  • General storeWith a burrito bar open 8 am to 7 pm
  • Lawn and riverRiverside lawn with chairs in the Big Sur River
  • Wi-FiWireless internet listed for every room type
  • FamiliesCribs on request, two-queen rooms and a kids menu
  • Live musicSummer Sunday concerts and events on the lawn
  • ParkingGuest parking on site
  • Pet-friendly roomsTwo rooms only; dogs welcome on the restaurant decks and lawn

Post Ranch Inn or Big Sur River Inn: how to choose

Both are on Highway 1, a few miles apart: one on the ocean cliffs, the other by the river in the valley.

The cliffs: a once-in-a-lifetime stay

Post Ranch Inn has 40 rooms and homes 1,200 feet above the ocean, Sierra Mar, infinity pools and breakfast included. Choose it for a couples' celebration; it is designed for adults only.

The Big Sur Valley: the friendly base

Big Sur River Inn has riverside suites, ridge rooms, a heated pool, a restaurant open all day and a gas station. Choose it with children, on a budget, or for a relaxed night in the middle of the drive.

Before you set off, our Big Sur travel guide covers the stops north to south and how to check Highway 1 closures.

Our Big Sur travel guide

Hotels in Big Sur: your questions

Where should I stay in Big Sur?

In the Big Sur Valley or on the cliffs south of it, to wake up in the middle of the drive; Carmel and Monterey to the north and Cambria to the south are the alternatives. Big Sur River Inn is in the valley, Post Ranch Inn a few miles south, on the ocean side. Read our Big Sur travel guide

How far ahead should I book a hotel in Big Sur?

As early as possible: Big Sur's few lodges are expensive and book early, especially in spring, summer and October weekends. Check the cancellation terms: 14 days at Post Ranch Inn, three days at Big Sur River Inn.

When is the best time to visit Big Sur?

April to May, when the hills are green, and September to October, with fewer crowds. Winter storms can close Highway 1 for weeks; summer brings fog and crowds. When to visit Big Sur

Is Highway 1 open, and how do I get there?

Post Ranch Inn reported Highway 1 fully open from both the north and the south in October 2026, but landslides can close it again: check Caltrans QuickMap the day before. Post Ranch Inn is 30 miles south of Carmel (about 45 minutes), Big Sur River Inn a few miles closer; Monterey airport is about 50 minutes from Post Ranch Inn.

Do I need a car in Big Sur?

Yes. There is no public transport to speak of, phone signal is patchy, and Post Ranch Inn warns that Uber and Lyft barely operate: arrange a driver in advance if you arrive without a car. Big Sur River Inn has a gas station, and Post Ranch includes parking.

Which of the two hotels suits families?

Big Sur River Inn: it has two-queen rooms, cribs on request, a heated pool, a kids menu and a lawn by the river. Post Ranch Inn is designed for adults, with a minimum check-in age of 18 and rooms for two.

Can I book these hotels directly?

Yes. The See prices button under Post Ranch Inn opens the hotel's official website. For Big Sur River Inn it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners. Both open in a new tab.

Exit 10And now?Our Big Sur guideWhat to do, where to eat, getting there
Exit 173 days in San Francisco3-day itineraryExit 24Pacific Coast HighwayRoad trip · 5–7 daysExit 31Big Sur or Antelope?Compare them side by sideExit 38Trip budgetRooms, food, car, gas, passes

Hotel picks for other destinations

Picked by Kylian Dev. These are editorial picks: no hotel paid to be here, and we never describe a stay we did not make. Facts come from each hotel’s own website; the Trip.com buttons are partner links (how we make money).