Alila Ventana Big Sur

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.

Immerse yourself in the whimsical charm of the Henry Miller Memorial Library, a forested haven that fuses literary treasures with live music and community spirit.

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.

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

Hip, vintage-style rooms & cabins with free Wi-Fi in a motel with a laid-back, modern restaurant. On Highway 1 and a mile from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, this trendy retro-inspired motel with cabins is also 7 miles from Point Sur Lighthouse. The chic, vintage-style rooms feature gas fireplaces, free Wi-Fi, minifridges. All have rustic bathrooms with recycled stone flooring and walk-in showers; some add sofas and private patios. Cabins have living areas and kitchenettes or full kitchens; many have private courtyards/patios with fire pits. There are no TVs in the rooms or cabins. Amenities include outdoor seating areas and a relaxed, modern restaurant serving Californian cuisine.

Nestled among redwoods, this historic inn from the 1930s offers cozy, rustic rooms and a charming restaurant serving delicious American comfort food.

Tucked among redwoods, this scenic campsite offers cozy tents, communal teak showers, and a tranquil escape with a hint of luxury.

Storied retreat center on the cliffs of Big Sur offering spiritual workshops, hot springs & massage.

Nestled by the Big Sur River, this laid-back resort offers cabin and motel stays, an on-site tavern, and easy access to nature's beauty.