 Big
Sur
90 miles of unparalleled beauty along Highway
One that begins just south of Carmel and ends in San
Luis Obispo County at San Simeon (Hearst Castle).
Artists flock to Highway One and Big Sur, lured by the ever-changing cliffs,
pounding surf, spouting whales and dramatic skyscapes. Henry Miller, writer
and artist, called Big Sur "…a region where one is always conscious
of eloquent silence…the face of the earth as the Creator intended
it to look." Point Lobos, four miles south of Carmel,
is the northern gateway to Big Sur. Unspoiled meadows, forests and beaches
make Point Lobos a jewel in the California State Park system. A marvel
of engineering, Highway One winds high above the sea through Big Sur. Visitors
can stop and enjoy the spectacular views from numerous turn-outs.
Bixby Bridge on Highway One is world
famous and a favorite of photographers who want to capture
its elegance and strength on film. 714 ft., it's one
of the top ten highest single-span bridges in the world.
The bridge is just one chapter in the story of this magnificent
scenic highway, officially opened in 1937 at a cost of
$10 million.
The Henry Miller Memorial Library celebrates the life
of novelist and painter, Henry Miller. The library hosts various events
throughout the year. Approximately 31 miles south of Carmel.
The Big Sur International Marathon, held in April, is
one of the most beautiful marathon courses in the world. World-class athletes
join with amateurs in the race to famous Hurricane Point, serenaded by
singers and musicians.
| The Road Through
Paradise |
| Carving the
road through paradise was no easy task. The Cabrillo
Highway was nothing more than a dirt road when
the first tourists navigated their way down the
coast. In 1922 work began with a $1.5 million budget.
During the ten years of construction, supplies
had to be brought in by pack mule or unloaded on
the beaches from launches. Nature continues to
work at Highway One and the task of crews remains
to preserve the delicate balance between technology
and the earth. |
 Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel lies just off Highway One, five miles
south of Monterey and 26 miles north of Big Sur.
The soft white sands of Carmel Beach attract tourists
(and their canine companions) from all over the world. Above the beach,
the quaint town of Carmel is a combination of art galleries, fine restaurants,
and unique boutiques. The homes of Carmel are
charming in their diversity of architectural styles and whimsical names.
The Carmel Mission Basilica, built in 1771, was the second
of California's missions. Located on Rio Road off Highway One, it's the
site of concerts and weddings.
The performing arts are alive and well in Carmel. The Forest Theater is
California's first outdoor amphitheater. It's a venue for local productions
as well as the Annual Shakespeare Festival and the outdoor
film festival. The Sunset Cultural Center is now closed
for renovations and will re-open in 2003; many events, including the Carmel
Beach Festival have found temporary quarters at Monterey's historic
Del Monte Hotel. The Golden Bough Theater houses the Pacific
Repertory Theater Company, which stages major works throughout
the year.
Point Lobos State Reserve is a marvel
of nature only two miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Shrouded in mist or bathed in sunlight, Point Lobos (Spanish
for 'wolf') is a universe in itself. Meadows, headlands,
coves and forests make this jewel of a state park the
perfect place to hike, picnic, observe the abundance
of wildlife, or just breathe in the fresh sea air.
| A Dog's Life |
| There's an
idyllic charm to Carmel. Don't look for street
lights, house numbers, neon signs: you won't find
them. High-heels may be worn by permit only (rarely
enforced), and dogs run free on the white sands
of Carmel Beach. Some hotels and restaurants offer
canine accommodations or serve doggie treats. |
 Carmel
Valley
Running 12 miles inland to the east of Carmel-by-the-Sea,
the valley is an unincorporated township of sprawling
ranches, rolling countryside and vineyards.
Carmel Village possesses a small town ambience in a very spacious setting.
Wiineries have begun to dot this pastoral valley, home of working ranches
and fine resorts. Here, luxury sports cars share the road with horse trailers.
Located in the "sunbelt," Carmel
Valley offers a wide variety of recreational activities as well as
excellent restaurants.
Carmel Valley Village is just a few miles east of Carmel off
Carmel Valley Road. Locals and visitors enjoy the shops, restaurants, lodgings
and wine-tasting rooms in the village.
Garland Ranch Regional Park runs along the Carmel River.
Perfect for hikers and horseback riders, Garland Park is a sanctuary
for deer, mountain lions, and other California wildlife. Peaceful meadows
lead to wooded trails, cool ponds and exceptional views.
Golfers have a choice of three championship courses: Carmel
Valley Ranch Resort, Quail
Lodge and Rancho
Cañada. But perhaps Carmel Valley's most unusual attraction
is its Labyrinth, just one mile east of Highway One on
Carmel Valley Road.
| The Carmel
River |
| "The
Carmel River is a lovely little river. It isn't
very long but in its course it has everything a
river should have. It rises in the mountains and
tumbles down a while, runs through shallows, is
dammed to make a lake, spills over the dam, crackles
among round boulders, wanders lazily under sycamores,
spills into pools where trout live, drops in against
the banks where crayfish live."—John
Steinbeck, Cannery Row |
 Pebble
Beach
At the southern tip of the Peninsula, due west
of Monterey and due north of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble
Beach is an unincorporated residential and resort area.
Pebble Beach, a gated community in the beautiful Del Monte Forest, is home
to seven spectacular world-class golf courses. Pebble
Beach Golf Links, Spyglass
Hill, Poppy
Hills, the
Links at Spanish Bay and private Cypress
Point attract golf enthusiasts from all over the world.
The Lone Cypress seems to defy the odds as it clings to
a bare rock above the Pacific Ocean. Many artists have been inspired by
its tenacious elegance. Today, this landmark is a copyrighted symbol of
the Pebble Beach Company. Bird and Seal Rocks are
an excellent place to view shoreline birds like snowy egrets and blue herons.
Sea lions and small harbor leopard seals bark and bask on the rocks. Take
the opportunity to stop here along 17-Mile
Drive and enjoy a picnic lunch.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am draws stars and stargazers
each year to Pebble Beach. Celebrities, amateurs and pros test their skills
to the awe and delight of crowds. The classic golf tournament is held at
the end of January or beginning of February.
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