Big Sur: Rugged Coastline, Untamed Wilderness and Iconic Beauty
Big Sur is one of the most dramatic coastal regions in the world—towering cliffs, deep redwood canyons, and a raw, elemental landscape that has shaped American culture and literature. It has drawn generations of creatives, from Robinson Jeffers and Henry Miller to Hunter S. Thompson, who lived and worked here in the 1960s while writing and working as a caretaker in the area. Their presence cemented Big Sur as a haven for artists seeking isolation, scale, and inspiration.
Architecture in Big Sur reflects its terrain more than any one style. Historically significant designers such as Mickey Muennig (organically sculpted wood-and-glass forms), Mark Mills (curvilinear, experimental structures), and early coastal modernists influenced the region’s aesthetic—homes integrated into cliffsides, anchored into rock, or hidden among redwoods with minimal visual impact. Properties range from dramatic oceanfront modernist homes to secluded off-grid cabins and ridge-top compounds spanning multiple acres.
The climate varies sharply by micro-location: foggy marine layers along the cliffs, warmer sun in the canyons, and expansive views above the cloud line on the ridges. Residents enjoy access to Pfeiffer Beach, Point Lobos, the Ventana Wilderness, Andrew Molera, Garrapata, and iconic hospitality destinations such as Post Ranch Inn, Ventana, and Nepenthe.
Big Sur appeals to those who want seclusion, scale, and natural drama—land, ocean, cliffs, and forest combining into one of the most protected and visually striking environments in California.
1,564 people live in Big Sur, where the median age is 36 and the average individual income is $36,938. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Big Sur, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Gilson M, Big Sur Guides and Hiking, and Route 1 - Big Sur Coast Highway.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 4.43 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.81 miles | 14 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.33 miles | 66 reviews | 4.9/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.52 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.52 miles | 1 review | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.81 miles | 2 reviews | 4.5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.81 miles | 2 reviews | 4/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.81 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.81 miles | 16 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.34 miles | 265 reviews | 3.8/5 stars | |
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Big Sur has 517 households, with an average household size of 2.63. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Big Sur do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 1,564 people call Big Sur home. The population density is 9.87 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9 Years
10-17 Years
18-24 Years
25-64 Years
65-74 Years
75+ Years
Education Level
Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Marital Status
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar:
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