Big Sur

Big Sur is a section of the California coast, typically considered to run from Carmel-by-the-Sea in the north to San Luis Obispo in the south. It is characterized by the collision of coastal mountain ranges, such as the Santa Lucia Range, with the Pacific Ocean. Throughout much of Big Sur, this produces dramatic sea cliffs and undersea kelp forests. The mountains squeeze most of the moisture out of the clouds, creating a favorable environment for forests, including the southernmost habitat of the famous coast redwood. Farther inland, the forests disappear and the vegetation becomes more scrubby.

The first Europeans to see Big Sur were the Spanish conquistadores, who called it el Sur Grande, or the Big South. They built a series of missionss there, but otherwise took little interest. Under Americann rule, the prohibiting terrain kept settlers out, except for a few ranchers. It remains sparsely populated today, over six decades after the Pacific Coast Highway was put through with the use of New Deal funds and prison labor. The only two towns in Big Sur, excepting the relatively flat southern reaches, are Big Sur and Lucia. Most of the land along the very coast is privately owned, but the vast Los Padres National Forest encompasses the inland portions, and there is a number of small state parks. The area is still quite inaccessible compared to many of California's other natural tourist attractions, but it has a low capacity for visitors and becomes very crowded during major vacation periods.

Big Sur has attracted and inspired a number of writers and artists. most notably Robinson Jeffers and Edward Weston.

List of state parks in Big Sur (north to south)

• Point Lobos State Park
• Garrapata State Park
• Andrew Molera State Park
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
• Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
• Limekiln State Park
• San Simeon State Park