Esalen Institute

Nestled on the Pacific Coast, this upscale waterfront hotel boasts elegant dining, stunning ocean views, spacious suites, and a heated outdoor pool.

Modern, ranch-style lodging offering rustic-chic rooms, suites & treehouses, plus pools & a spa. Set on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this upscale, ranch-style boutique hotel is 1.6 miles from the Henry Miller Memorial Library. The rustic-chic, TV-free rooms, suites and tree-houses have private decks with mountain or ocean views, and wood-burning fireplaces. They also have free minibars and Wi-Fi, plus iPod docks. Some have indoor and outdoor spa pools. Free perks include full breakfast and loaner cars, as well as yoga, meditation and star-gazing classes. Other amenities include a spa with 2 cliff-top infinity pools, a swimming pool and a fitness center. There's also a polished restaurant offering ocean-view dining.

Nestled at the Big Sur River Inn, this quirky convenience store serves up oversized breakfast burritos and hot sandwiches, perfect for a roadside pit stop.

Eatery perched on a Big Sur cliffside offering California fare & a terrace with breathtaking views.

Tranquil roadside taproom offering local craft beers & wines, bar snacks & outdoor seating.

Nestled above the Pacific, this serene glamping paradise features luxe yurts, ocean views, a heated pool, and exceptional dining for a restorative getaway.

Nestled on a cliff in Big Sur, this charming 1930s hotel offers cozy cabins and breathtaking ocean views, perfect for a tranquil getaway.

Posh suites with private decks & fireplaces, plus a sleek restaurant, outdoor pools & a spa. Set on 500 acres in Carmel Valley, this upscale resort is 3 miles from hiking and biking in Garland Ranch Regional Park and 9 miles from the ocean at Carmel Bay. Sophisticated suites feature fireplaces and private decks, plus flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks and Keurig coffeemakers. Some suites add kitchenettes or separate dining areas. There's a spa, a golf course and 9 tennis courts, plus 2 outdoor saltwater pools, a gym and a business center. Dining options include a sleek organic restaurant, a grill eatery and a cafe.

At the edge of a cliff in Big Sur, Sierra Mar offers diners stunning ocean views through expansive windows and a fine Californian prix fixe menu that changes seasonally.

Seasonal, locally sourced Californian cuisine is offered all day in a modern-rustic setting.