To see the best (and worst) times to visit, please read our reviews of our recommended places to stay
By car: Visitors will need a car to access the area's many charms, there is no public transport. Note that in Carmel there are no parking meters, parking is always at a premium of course.
Big Sur's Highway One is not a dual carriageway at any point, often experiences landslips, especially in the spring after winter rains, and traffic jams in the peak months as visitor numbers swell. Be sure to allow twice the amount of time it would normally take you to drive a set distance, and phone ahead to check for road closures.
See our car rental recommendations.