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 You will not only be driving along a stunning coastline but also passing through areas that are the essence of Americana in Big Sur. (Shutterstock) |
Q: My sister and I will be renting a car next month when we fly to San Francisco. We plan to drive to Big Sur. Can you suggest any must-sees, restaurants, motels, etc?
-- Name withheld
A: You will not only be driving along a stunning coastline but also passing through areas that are the essence of Americana, made famous by authors, architects and actors who have all left indelible marks on the region.
These include places like Monterey, made famous by legendary American author John Steinbeck. The opening sentence of his classic Cannery Row reads: "Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream."
For up-to-date suggestions on what to do in this former sardine capital, we asked Celeste White, director of communications for Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau, for some ideas.
White recommends:
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- Big Sur Bakery (bigsurbakery.com) for its killer "eggs and bacon" pizza on the weekends. "It's wonderful food in a rustic alfresco setting," White says.
- The Roadhouse (bigsurroadhouse.com), a fun intimate local hangout run by a husband-and-wife team.
- Ventana Inn (ventanainn.com), a temporary bistro with a not-to-be-missed co-ed Japanese hot tub.
- Post Ranch Inn (postranchinn.com) for "over the top elegance with a restaurant that offers exquisite cuisine including local abalone and artichokes along with great evening planetary programs," White says.
- Nepenthe (nepenthebigsur.com), where insiders gravitate to the ambrosia burger. "It's a little known secret restaurant," which carries the most extensive list of wines crafted from Gary Pisoni/Pisoni Vineyards grapes.
- For something different, stay in a Mongolian Yurt at Treebones Resort (treebonesresort.com). "This is unique and worth the trek."
- For hikes, hook up with Big Sur Guides (bigsurguides.com). "These guys know all the hideaway hikes and have negotiated to run hikes even on private property."
- For culture, check out the Henry Miller Library (henrymiller.org ) for a great line-up of events, concerts and poetry readings.
"I would also urge your readers to check out our website seemonterey.com as their trip gets closer, and even our blog blogmonterey.com which has more up-to-the-minute events for the weekend," White says.
ILONA@MYCOMPASS.CA