Big Sur River Inn

Inn · Monterey County

Big Sur River Inn

Inn · Monterey County

3

46800 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

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Big Sur River Inn by Allison Green
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null
Big Sur River Inn by null

Highlights

Sit in chairs in the river, enjoy live music and casual dining  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

46800 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920 Get directions

bigsurriverinn.com
@bigsurriverinn

$$

Information

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46800 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920 Get directions

+1 831 667 2700
bigsurriverinn.com
@bigsurriverinn

$$

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Last updated

Sep 1, 2025

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@infatuation

Big Sur River Inn - Review - Big Sur - The Infatuation

"Big Sur River Inn offers two tiers of rooms: roadside motel and its suites along the Big Sur River. Both options offer a convenient location with spacious rooms in the heart of Big Sur, but the riverside suites are more peaceful, surrounded by the river and the redwoods, whereas the roadside motel is right along busy Highway 1. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/big-sur/reviews/big-sur-river-inn
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@infatuation

The 17 Best Restaurants & Hotels Between Big Sur & Cambria

"Big Sur River Inn offers two tiers of rooms: roadside motel and its suites along the Big Sur River. Both options offer a convenient location with spacious rooms in the heart of Big Sur, but the riverside suites are more peaceful, surrounded by the river and the redwoods, whereas the roadside motel is right along busy Highway 1." - team infatuation, allison green

https://www.theinfatuation.com/big-sur/guides/the-best-restaurants-in-big-sur
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@cntraveler

Where to Stay When You Visit Big Sur, California

"The vibe: Touristed roadside inn. Top amenities: Riverfront restaurant and bar, adjacent convenience store and deli. Best for: Road tripping motorists looking for comfy digs for the night. What's nearby: The Big Sur River and Andrew Molera State Park. Entering Big Sur Village from the north, this is the first property that greets you with snug motel-style rooms with updated finishes. Its indoor-outdoor restaurant sits along the banks of the Big Sur River and is usually abuzz with tourists. The real draw are the Adirondack chairs strewn about the river’s shallow waters. Nab a seat and a glass of wine, and dip your toes in the cooling ripples."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-big-sur-hotels
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sofie snell

Google
Bring earplugs and a cooler. With that you are all set to enjoy this great place! We had a river suite but no matter what room you get the road noise and delivery trucks are very loud especially early in the morning. Also no Fridge so make sure you have a cooler and the staff will keep Providing you with ice. Sitting in the river absolutely magical! Friendly staff. Rooms simple, very clean, super comfy bed and great coffee and tea provided. Front room murphy bed room And porch great view of River. Chairs in the river absolute highlight. Nice atmosphere in the restaurant and very friendly staff. Little market right next door has the best breakfast burritos! Great coffee place past the store.

Brooke Heflin

Google
Absolutely perfect location! We LOVED this place! The room was super cozy, it had a tv and there was WiFi. The river was so beautiful and the restaurant was so convenient. I loved the general store. We had burritos everyday and sat by the river. We stayed 4 nights and hiked and explored the trails throughout Big Sur and Carmel. Truly a magical experience

Aeriana Jones

Google
I've always wanted to stay in Big Sur but the price has been very painful. For $300 /night. It was not worth it. I can tell if a room is clean by my allergies! and this room was not clean, not only was it clear on the TV remote. But waking up in the middle of the night sneezing and congested. The front desk women are not kind or welcoming- when I went to go return my room key she looked at me like I was doing something illegal by disturbing her. No one smiled, not even in the store. It's odd. I love Big Sur but won't be paying to stay here again

Lynn Lewis (Lynn Lewis Photography)

Google
I’m a Big Sur wedding and elopement photographer and have gotten to photograph so many couples here! It’s such a fun spot for couples to stop by at for a bite to eat while they dip their feet in the river, plus it’s dog-friendly. The Big Sur River Inn also hosts weddings, where you can get ready in the rooms, have your ceremony on the lawn, and host a reception on the patio. It’s all in one place, making it super convenient! If you have time for some sunset photos on the coast as well, highly recommend.

Amber Talbott

Google
Great experience. Their restraunt puts chairs in the river and you and sit out there and soak your feet and enjoy the peace!!!! I was there in mid June and the water was freezing but refreshing. 10/10 would recommend brunch and soak!

Pauls Davis

Google
With a friend of mine I visited the restaurant and it was a very memorable experience. The ambience, nature, food, and service was excellent. Now I know what Big Sur in Spanish means....it is Big South! The stream is nice and has a dip in the water. I highly recommend this place if you are going to the Big Sur area or just passing through.

lexaww

Google
Great location but overrun with tourists who are not staying there and using the amenities like the river chairs and lawn. Rooms are okay but not for what they charge. You are paying for location and getting a very sub par room with a micro bathroom. Restaurant is very nice and so is camps store but the room is entirely up charged for what you experience.

Lisa Bernardi

Google
We came for the Mother's Day brunch. We were seated quickly (with a reservation) and the server took our order fairly quickly as well. After 30 minutes, we still hadn't even received our drinks. We had to ask the busboy (who was AMAZING, by the way) as our waitress had never come back. He checked on it and we received our drinks right afterward. About 40 minutes after being ordered, we got our food, which was good, however, again, the waitress never came back to check on us. We had to ask the busboy for each item we needed. To top it off, a 20% gratuity was automatically added to our bill (a party of 4) which seemed excessive and completely unearned. No wonder she did a poor job, she was making money no matter what. It was extremely disappointing and took away from our experience.
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Ben D.

Yelp
This review is specifically for the burrito bar at the general store--not the hotel or the restaurant. The burrito was just okay--pretty bland overall, but it did the job for a quick, easy bite. Also, avoid getting gas here. The station is extremely overpriced and falsely advertises itself as the only one within 20 miles, which is just not true. Good for a grab-and-go snack, but that's about it.
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Cristina S.

Yelp
This review is for the restaurant ONLY! My group and I were seated in the closest table next to the door when there were plenty of other open tables. We were freezing and absolutely confused with why we were seated there. The waiter, named Chandler, gave terrible service. He basically got our drink orders and forgot about us. Someone in my group ordered a beer and he forgot to bring it to the table. Food was overpriced and lackluster. The best thing to order was probably the sweet potato fries, which literally any restaurant can make. The pesto chicken sandwich sounded very good on the menu but when it was brought out it looked terrible. For a $25 sandwich I at least expect some nice bread. Also definitely have to point out, THEY CHARGE $2 for hot water?!?! Absolutely ridiculous....

Kasey M.

Yelp
Wonderful hotel staff and customer service. We will be staying there in the future! Thank you Victoria and the front desk staff for your assistance with our reservation issue.
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Ana P.

Yelp
Beautiful outdoor area on the river. You can just order a drink at the bar and sit on the chairs in the river for a relaxing time.
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Mikayla D.

Yelp
My bf & I decided to try this place out around lunch time for valentines day. We took a look at the menu before finding seating & they had alot of tasty sounding options. River inn has indoor and outdoor seating & outdoor seating is right by the river which is beautiful. Since we came around a cooler time, we took indoor seating where they set the fireplace for everyone. Lovely! The food is a bit pricey and the quality of the food is pretty decent especially for an inn. Id recommend coming here if you're looking for a restaurant that's heavy on enjoying the environment & atmosphere rather than cuisine. The restaurant is cozy & has an attentive staff.
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Rachel B.

Yelp
This stay was for my bday weekend! They were having a February special sale! I have stayed here atleast 4 other times. The front desk was very helpful and cheerful. arrived at 2 and check in was at 4 but room was ready! nice clean but small room. Had a little porch and rocking chair! Parking is available right in front of door! Dinner was good average priced. Cant really enjoy the river in the winter but still nice to see! Restaurant on site food is good and so is service!
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Julie L.

Yelp
Skip the restaurant and find a chair on or in the river! Live music on Sunday's, and an outdoor bbq where you can buy food to enjoy picnic style. Killer Bloody Mary's using spicy Tito's ($12). Think I saw Sammy at the bar.
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Terry-Jo F.

Yelp
Beautiful location. Our room overlooked the grassy area of the beautiful landscaped gardens ad trees as well as the river. Love the suite (a bedroom and separate living room). Rooms could be cleaner. But don't stay here if you are looking for peace, quiet and relaxation. Workers (I think) were out each night yelling in parking lot outside our window (I'm sure they thought they were talking)The walls are made of paper. You can hear kids running around upstairs, snoring, very loud plumbing as toilets are flushed and tvs from other rooms. So sad because the location is wonderful.

Brianda S.

Yelp
RESTAURANT REVIEW ONLY First of all this place disappointing... we came here after a long day of hiking and swimming and have been wanting to try this place for quite some time and I was left super dissatisfied and hungry. The service here was not the best.. waitress was cold and distant she forgot our waters and drinks. The host was sweet but the food was bland and a bit overpriced. I am sure this place is in high demand because of its location but you would think that they would invest more time into the food and service.... Overall I will not be coming back.
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Tanisha R.

Yelp
I ate at the restaurant. The views and river were amazing. I also enjoyed the fresh blackberries that could be picked. The grounds keeper was really nice about letting me get some. Unfortunately the food in the restaurant was not good at all. I ordered a blt with chedder. The sandwich was cold. The cheese was not real chedder and didnt melt at all. The bacon was not cooked enough. I would honestly just come here to chill in the lake. The food inside the store seems better. Also, the ice was good. Although they do not offer samples. Which was disappointing. I didn't like the first one, so I had to get another. But the location was beautiful . Staff are nice. They do not have free internet or wifi. You will not get service unless you pay a insane amount to use theirs. Fyi.

Vince B.

Yelp
Just go. It's excellent. Stunning campground. We didn't want to leave. The trees are enormous and beautiful.
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W. Scott K.

Yelp
We spent Thanksgiving week at the Big Sur River Inn: Three nights in a two-bedroom "River Suite" and one night across the street in a regular room (they'd sold out the suites that night when we booked). This is one of the few spots that the average family can still afford to stay in Big Sur. It's not perfect, there are physical defects here and there, but for the price, it's wholly acceptable. The location on the river is ideal. Loved Zenning out riverside every afternoon. Staff is friendly and helpful, restaurant is decent, and you're spot in the middle of Big Sur, so it's accessible to hiking and dining. All that being said, we weren't enamored with the smaller room on the other side of the street. The mattress was wider than the box springs and we struggled to sleep as we were leaning off the sides of the bed. LOL! I was glad we only stayed there one night.

Sue W.

Yelp
It doesn't fit the price you pay. The rooms are simple and clean. The beds very comfortable. No small refrigerator in the room but a large TV , you have to pay for internet. No complementary breakfast. Dinner was okay but not worth the price. I ordered vegetarian potato hash it came warm not hot and was practically swimming in oil . It was a lot but not tasty at all. had to order toast it did not come with the breakfast . When it arrived it had obviously been toasted earlier that morning so was cold not good. Had to ask for butter then for jam. We had dinner the night before a pasta dish , again it was okay , not very much taste. Bread was extra. All in all the food iwas disappointing . The rooms do not have enough soundproofing so you hear everything going on in the rooms on either side. Snoring, talking ..... On the plus side The staff are friendly .

sofia g.

Yelp
good views and vibes but food is lowkey cold and plain..went w my ex so that was different ig
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Emma O.

Yelp
I had a lovely time visiting Big Sur River Inn. When requesting to sit outside the hostess sat us at a spot with a great view of the river. The food price was a bit on the high side but both the tri tip sandwich and the hummus plate were very good. We also very much enjoyed the live band they had playing. The service was a bit slow but the waitress was nice.
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Bree H.

Yelp
The BEST part of our drive to Big Sur What a peaceful little gem, thankful to the stranger who referred us there!
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Sal A.

Yelp
Amazing getaway my son and his beautiful wife were married at this location, beautiful setting and surroundings would definitely 100% recommend
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robin l.

Yelp
Buy a drink and find a chair in the shallow river. Best place on earth. Great way to spend an afternoon. Food here is ok, but not the draw.

Jeffrey V.

Yelp
We stayed for 2 nights, Sun & Mon. Pool was closed because the walkway was under construction. Beautiful room on the river side which was extremely expensive. We decided to splurge since it was our wedding gift from close friends. They have rooms on the other side of Hwy 1 that are more reasonable in price. I give these rooms 2.5 stars with a 4 star price because of the spotless grounds and location and being a resort, but there's only a handful of rooms. The room was on the 1st floor and easily accessible to the lawn area in front of the river. It's so nice to listen to the river which was 50 ft. from the deck. This resort has everything you need and more. Food at the restaurant was very good and the service excellent. Easy check in with Gabe was a breeze and check out was noon. Wonderful place! Would love to go back in the future.
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Cintya C.

Yelp
We did a quick stop at this place and it was totally worth it! We were doing the drive up Big Sur and this place came highly recommended! We stopped for drinks and to let the kiddos stretch their feet it was perfect! The day was beautiful and the kiddos had a blast in the river while we relaxed! Didn't get to try the food but will def be back to give that a try. Overall it was an amazing experience!
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Tina B.

Yelp
This place is a lil slice of heaven . I have been wanting to visit for a long time and finally did. Sitting in the river was my highlight and The restaurant is cute and woodsy and our server Katlynn was adorable. The food is great and very fresh the roasted veggie salad is a must try and even had their famous apple pie.
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Christina G.

Yelp
Grab a burrito next door (Big Sur River in General Store) at the grocery store for faster service, less expensive and sit by the River in back to enjoy. $80.00 for two ahi salads with tip. Wifi is pay extra at check in (restaurant)... Some of us work mobile and need to be connected while taking a day off. Party of 12 on same check... I was treated rudely when having to asking twice for lemon with my water (not everyone drinks soda or alcohol and we like water) and I didn't want to leave a tip but no choice. Next time try: Fernwood Tavern down the road (4 miles south) next time for patio dining, pizza or sandwiches, better prices and good/faster service. Noon-10pm all week, music Fridays Fern wood Tavern, 47200 CA-1, Big Sur CA 93920

Hanna S.

Yelp
Incredibly run down for the (not cheap) price! We booked this for a cozy romantic getaway and boy did it disappoint! Images on website and their social media was quite misleading. For $600 for two nights we expected at least clean rooms. We arrived and the room smelled strong and musty with old carpet, clumps of sticky hair and dirt in corners of the bathroom floor, mold all over the shower tiling, previous guests hair stuck on the sink drain, cobwebs on the ceiling and (pretty gross but) old blood stains on the sheets. We had to forgo our second night - we realized sending it all the way home to our own bed would be more comfortable and would rather eat the money. Such a bummer but will not return! Will be staying at Glen Oaks right down the road next time.
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Leslie J.

Yelp
We're happy we stayed here. Friendly staff and comfy rooms. A great stop on the way down the coast.

Robert G.

Yelp
We had the fajitas pasta and the ribs. Margarita everything here was absolutely fabulous five star all the way.

Gigi D.

Yelp
We held our son's wedding rehearsal dinner and welcome cocktail party at River Inn. The dinner was for about 60 people and the cocktail party was about 150 people. We started working with Breann at River Inn in March 2023 and the event was for September 2024. What can I say-This event was spectacular! Better than we had imagined! Breann was with us every step of the way, from the fantastic dinner menu, the cocktails and appetizers for the welcome party after the dinner, to the "to-go cookies and coffee" that everyone took when the event was over. Breann thought of everything! The food was delicious! A dinner for 60 and the pork chops, salmon, cheesy potatoes, etc., was dead on perfect. We were able to set up the outdoor tv for the bride and groom slide show, had a Cigar area, which was spectacular, and the setting couldn't be better! The staff was top notch! Very attentive and was there for anything we needed. Besides Breann, who was so fantastic, we have to give a shout out to Sweet Daisy- Breann's assistant, Zeke-The outstanding Cocktail-ologist that made our specialty cocktails the way we wanted them, Rafa and Katelyn-Best Bartenders EVER, Veronica and Lorena-who assisted us all and made everything happen all weekend long. These folks and so many more were outstanding! We highly recommend River Inn for a vacation, but HIGHLY recommend for a wedding! BTW, the wedding ended up being here as well and it was over the top gorgeous! The Chef is top notched! The best Ribeye - Even the Texas folk loved them! We had the whole resort to ourselves all weekend long! This It was a weekend that all will remember for a very long time!
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Ashley S.

Yelp
My boyfriend & I stayed here overnight following a wedding and I'm sad to say that we will not be returning anytime soon. We got to our hotel and was allowed to grab our keys at noon, which was nice. However, the unfortunate circumstances came later that night after the wedding. There is absolutely no indication of where each room is and my boyfriend and I spent 20 minutes walking around the entire property on the side of the street with the restaurant, which is where we assumed all the rooms were. However, they were all across the street on the other side. We walked into our room and were bummed to see stains all over the carpet, moldy caulking in the shower, and we could hear everything. We got in bed to find out our tv was not working at all, we were not able to watch cable and it recommended us call the front desk (this was unavailable because it was after hours), however, we could ironically hear the people next to us watching cable perfectly fine. In fact, the walls here are so thin, we can not only hear every single car that drives by but also the people watching their television perfectly as well as every conversation they were having. All in all this reminded me of an overpriced Motel 6 and we were super bummed as we heard great things from the reviews and family members. However, as previously stated, it is unlikely we will ever stay here again.
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A B.

Yelp
Ive been going to Big Sur since I was in high school because we live just 2 hours away. I have always camped there if I go (with the exception of staying at Fernwood for a friends wedding). I wanted to splurge for my bday and finally stay somewhere up there -- I had pretty high expectations based on the website/it being riverside, which is why I chose it. A few things to know: not all rooms are by the river: there is a row of dreary looking cabins on the other side of hwy 1 and that is where my family was given a room. So anytime we wanted to go to the river or restaurant we are holding hands running across Hwy 1. The rooms are tiny with thin walls (you hear doors close when people leave their room and people/kids in the rooms talking), with one window so it's a little cave like and not much effort put into the decor or the tiny "porch" out front (it's just part of the actual parking lot that they put 2 chairs and one plant-not somewhere you'd like to hang). There is a pool but note that it's closed all day Tuesdays (so my son could swim for just a few hours when we arrived on a Monday at 4pm check in). Last thing is I assumed I was the only one who didn't sleep well (beds aren't great) but in the morning my husband and son both said they were up throughout the night. None of us slept well-my son is 7 and can sleep anywhere so I was really surprised that even he was quite uncomfortable. I'm only doing this on Yelp because for how much they are charging a night and what you get is totally wild. The rooms should be less than half the price they are for being across the street from the river/facing the Hwy1, hearing every car and truck passing by, hearing your neighbors on either side, cheap beds, cheap shower inserts in tiny bathroom with just a coffee maker and some glasses in the room. Over $400/night is WILD. We were so disappointed and just stayed one night. Really nice staff; the people were great. No problem there. The facilities just need a major uplift imo. Maybe tiled bathrooms, mattress upgrades, some better art in the rooms, walls insulated or doors fixed so they don't slam, the "patios" more turned into their own space...etc The hotels up there charge whatever they want because they can but it left me feeling really taken advantage of. It is such a shame as the setting is amazing - the grass, the river, the redwoods...it's all so glorious and they could do a much, much better job. Last thing: It was also odd to see so much plastic for food containers that doesn't seems re-uasble...so walking down to the gorgeous, flowing river and seeing people eating french fries out of plastic containers while sitting in the river chairs felt wrong. We will stick to camping in Big Sur.
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Shanna B.

Yelp
Food was AMAZING. All of the staff were so so kind. I can't give this place a better review. The potato au gratin is a must. THANK YOU!
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Gitana B.

Yelp
We love this place! We always use it as a great stopping point to relax, have a drink and listen to the River. This time, we decided to try the food and it definitely did not disappoint. I enjoyed a salad with a house made cream of mushroom soup. I wish I would've taken more pictures of the food, but I couldn't help but eat it all to quickly! Great family stopping point!
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Sandra R.

Yelp
We stopped by for lunch after an intense hike. We luckily were seated quickly in their outdoor patio area. Nice deck but tbh not impressed with the seating chairs considering the prices. Staff was quick to bring us water and get our orders. The menu choices is honestly my driving factor behind the low stars. Extremely pricey considering the options they provided. It was good but in my option not worth the price. I got the Californian Chicken sandwich and it was okay. My partner got the Angus burger and he also said it was okay as it only came with the meat really. They offered to add cheese at an additional cost (??????). Also, the prepared drinks are $16 for a plastic cup drink. I considered getting a margarita but couldn't bring myself to actually order it after I saw the size. It was okay but I don't think we would go back.
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Lee B.

Yelp
This review is for the motel. The Riverside Suites are positively not worth the $500/night weekend rate. Unless of course you like crowds of people mingling in front of your room, being 20 feet off the highway with plenty of road noise and loud Harley's setting off car alarms. It's really a shame because the natural surroundings are nice, but they are spoiled by crowds of people and poor room location in close proximity to the noise. Save your money and just make the Big Sur River Inn a pitstop for a drink and/or a meal on you visit to the area.

Tim F.

Yelp
We stayed here in early September while visiting family who were camping. The rooms were clean, comfortable and convenient. Everyone was very friendly and the restaurant was very good. We definitely would stay here again.

Aron W.

Yelp
The location and service was good, but the food is WAY overpriced for the quality. Shrimp scampi had no flavor or garlic, ribs were dry like jerky and bbq sauce had very little flavor. Sweet potato fries ok but needed salt and aioli had very little taste, only spice, Potato skins also needed salt, very bland. Burger was the best thing at our table of 5 but to add cheese and avocado was over $6 extra. Our server was great, but we overspent for what we got.
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Lee H.

Yelp
You could tell they tried with some of the touches in the room, but they only succeeded at making me feel like an idiot for paying $325/night to stay here. We stayed in one of the single queen motel style rooms between Christmas and New Years 2022. Service is fine. The problems are all with the room and the prices. For starters, you don't even get 325 square feet for $325/night. The rooms are very small. They're just large enough to not feel claustrophobic. The room was just entirely too damp to be comfortable. It was extremely humid in the room, and there weren't enough windows to get airflow to clear it out. Granted it rained when we were there, but it was far more comfortable outside than inside. There was tons of condensation on the toilet tank, and that damp feeling permeated the bedding too. Forget about taking a shower because it turns the room into more of a swamp. The towels never dried and smelled like bacteria and mildew. Also the shower had low hot water pressure. We tried to spend as little time in the room as possible. I just generally feel like I got kindly swindled out of a lot of money. Because there are so few plots of land to set up businesses down in Big Sur, the ones that do exist can charge what they want. Big Sur River Inn is no different. It's a one star community motel you might find in the middle of unpopulated parts of Wyoming, but it just happens to be located in one of the most prized pieces of the American landscape. And someone is getting rich off that arrangement. I would never stay here again unless the prices were halved and then halved a second time. If I ever return to Big Sur, it will be to camp and to cook all my own meals because the restaurant prices are absurd too.
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Myrna R.

Yelp
Motel is bare bones, you pay +380 for one night and you get a view of a parking lot. Not worth the price, I highly recommend the Glen Oaks. They have a communal fire pit, free s'mores, free half bottle of wine and a free bottle of champagne for your birthday, also free donuts and coffee next door. This place doesn't give you a whole lot for what you pay for. They do have a heated pool though. The restaurant charges gratuity and it's like ordering from a McDonald's drive thru. The room was clean and the staff was very kind and welcoming. I recommend getting the suite if staying here.
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Maria K.

Yelp
We stopped for some gifts on our way to Julia Pfeiffer Burns & McWay Falls. Outside it smelled like cedar trees and ocean air, there were birds chirping, such a nice little detour off of PCH!
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Nasyatana C.

Yelp
TL;DR: this place sucks, don't come here unless you want to poop ur brains out :/ Pros: -The location is beautiful and I really appreciate the plentiful seating and opportunity to sit my the river and have a picnic. -Lots of seating makings eating outside comfortable if you have CoVid anxiety (though it didn't seem like people were too worried about it, mask Culture is pretty lax) -The local alcohol was delicious as well, the bartender did a great job on recommending a good sparking wine for someone who doesn't drink much. - The tuna sandwich (the simplest dish of all) was a lot better than the hot food. Though it could use more seasoning. Cons: -Food is served in a cheap plastic togo container, which they apparently reuse!! -This place feels like a glorified Long Johns Silvers, just with booze and more meat options. My bf and I shared some food between each other, the fish and chips, a tuna sandwich, and some Mac. -The fish from the fish and chips didn't taste fresh, it tasted frozen and extremely bland. It completely fell apart when I was trying to dip it in the sauce. -The oil that fried the fish was fried in tasted old. -The Mac and Cheese didn't taste fresh. The cheese started to separate and gave a grainy texture. Like you get when when you over cook it, keep reheating it too much, or it's been heated for too long? Yeah. -Hella expensive for low quality food -Drinks we're a bit pricey -Lax mask culture, you're serving food! Conclusion: I was excited and enticed by the restaurant from delicious smelling BBQ. My bf and I arrived and spent $80 to be disappointed with sub par food that I can teach my little 6 & 10 year nephews how to make . If you're going to have a restaurant that's is darn near attached to the coast, at least have fresh seafood and cook it well. It's disappointing when Mac n Cheese and Fish n' Chips, the basics, gets messed up. Also, the bathroom should be cleaned A LOT more often. This place has a lot of potential if there was quality of ingredients, cheaper prices, and better QC when sending out food. Go to Safeway before coming into down and go to the beach down the road. This place sucks and it's a rip off. It's disgusting that it seems like the business practice has never changed when you look at the reviews.
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Nicole S.

Yelp
We had a great time at the Big Sur RiverInn. Stayed on the 2nd story of river view rooms. Cozy feeling in the room and blankets provided to enjoy outside. Check in was easy and fast! Property included a general store that makes the best breakfast burritos. We will definitely return.
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Kim T.

Yelp
Come here for relaxing sitting enjoying the water on the river because the foods in the restaurant just like plain ordinary school foods. Evert times I visited Big Sur this is the place I like to stop by for a drinks and enjoying the River. It is a motel if you decide to stay over night.. there are no signal and bad wifi here if your think using the internet for work or other plans. This restaurant is right on the highway so you can't miss it as you passed the big sir most iconic Bridge. There are indoor and outdoor dinning. There are about 20 chairs on the River for you to sit and relax. You can bring drinks and foods to enjoy. The water at first get cold but later you wouldn't feels it anymore. This spot is great as there are no wind or cold air coming in except the water floating through the river. If you had water show it will be great to walk in the river as the water is to your feet.. kids loves it!
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Diane C.

Yelp
Great place to stop before heading to look out points like Juliet Pfeiffer waterfall or other hikes! They have lounge chairs in the river you can sit in and it's very relaxing. We had the tri tip sandwich which was delicious and the service was great. Their Bloody Mary was really delicious and spicy!
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Sheila K.

Yelp
My experience here was literally perfect. From check in to check out, I enjoyed my stay. I had a river front suite. The room was clean, there was a French press coffee maker (nice touch) and the service was great. The you g lady at the front desk was very accommodating and sweet. The food at this location was really good too. Love the chairs in the river where you can sit and relax. It's the most zen thing ever.
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Bruce G.

Yelp
I had to pump gas after driving along the coast and that's when I discovered River Inn Bus which is owned by Big Sur River Inn. I decided to try their ice cream since it was a bit warm outside. Mint Oreos was my choice out of the 13 flavors and boy was it delicious! Treat yourself if you're in the mood for something sweet and yummy. They also sell souvenirs, beverages, coffee, chips and organic snacks.
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Danny Z.

Yelp
Quaint and clean; friendly staff, general store is a life saver. I was happy with the safety protocols during covid. My one complaint is that their towels are so new they leave white crumbs all over everything.
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Nikko G.

Yelp
this is a stop on my 1 day big sur PCH road trip! i made a y0utube video with tips and info you need to know about all 5 stops & 2 restaurants, so you can be prepared! search "Nikko Gandia Travels" or find a link to my y0utube on my profile. all stops have free parking options and are easily accessible to most and can be explored rather quickly.
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Lorinda K.

Yelp
I'm a local in Monterey, Big Sur River Inn has been one of my favorite locations to relax and unwind. I love Sundays during summer. Live band and barbecue. Highly recommend!
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Rahul T.

Yelp
We visited the place last year during the Labor Day Weekend! This review is for the food only, we didn't stay overnight at the Inn. The food was good, it was pretty expensive but it tasted good. I didnt like the fact that there were bees at our table that scared us because they could have stung us. The other thing is that the service was a bit slower than expected but it was a long weekend and the place was practically full so it was ok. They had live music and that's why I am giving it 3* instead of 2.
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P M.

Yelp
A perfect Hwy 1 experience and nostalgic place reflecting decades of great experiences for those who have been there! Food is good and workers cordial. We did run into a negative experience today sadly with the Manager when we were told we could not even be seated and served outside with my wife's 8 pound emotional service dog. My wife has suffered near death experiences from toxins and is slowly recovering. Today was a celebratory ride to Big Sur to celebrate her recovery with friends. The manager could have worked harder to help us with take out orders and seating down by the river, but instead chose to insult us by saying other diners would have allergic reactions to our small dog in a front pack carrier. No worries, we found a waitress that managed our orders and we ate out on the lawn (no chairs). Such a beautiful day! Good customer service is so easy! So sad the Manager has no idea what that looks like.
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Elizabeth K.

Yelp
TLDR; Good food, way pricey, cute location. This is for the restaurant (which I think should have it's own listing but that's me). PRICEY. Wow. The 20% included gratuity is adding insult to injury. For some reason when I choose to tip 20% it doesn't hurt as much as when it's required. Plus call me old fashioned but I like to account for quality of service. Luckily however, the food was awesome. I got the burger which alone is $20 not including my $2 bacon and $3 cheese. BUT the flavor and portion was awesome. Not a fan of the mac n cheese but I'm sure it's someone's flavor. My sister liked her chicken sandwich. Loved the sweet potato fries. She also got a Bixby Gimlet and while small was super tasty. The strawberry lemonade is also good! We would love to have been sitting in the chairs in the river during a warm summer day but we still enjoyed the back patio for the cool evening. Cute spot, lots of seating, interesting "picnic style" setup. All in all food is tasty but prepare for your wallet to be lighter.. the captured audience situation allows for this to happen but it's just a bit over the comfortable increase. $85 for two meals and two drinks (only one alcoholic) is just a bit much for me.