8/1/15

URL Link: Big Sur 4K Aerial Video Views

Big Sur is a big deal by any standard if you love the outdoors and nature!

My son and I set-out August 1st weekend to enjoy as much of the Big Sur area as possible. With land and aerial photography a priority, we also hoped to hike some as well. Hiking, camping, picnicking, and views everywhere is what folks come to do. From whale watching through the sea mist haze and low stratus formed clouds; to endless fields of yellow wildflowers; with the gorgeous contrast of sea, jagged sea rocks, and the back-drop of flowing green hills; and a mile high peak just 3 miles inland, you will find the trek amazing. We were met by a welcoming mother nature, mixing just enough sun, morning California coastal clouds, and a gentle crisp sea breeze to make our time relaxing and comfortable.

Big Sur is a loosely defined area basically along a 90 mile coastal stretch on California State Route 1 from Carmel south to San Simeon. By the way, Big Sur derived from Spanish originally, means “ the big south,” describing the area south of Monterey. There are 12 parks and reserves along the stretch with several key places you shouldn’t miss. One of the bigger parks and the signature icon of Big Sur is the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and McWay Falls. The waterfalls is the only one in North America that flows directly into the pacific ocean. The falls packs a huge crowd and you can see why – it’s beautiful!

Other stops not to miss are the Bixby Bridge, Point Sur Lightstation, and the lazy elephant seals. And yes, the seals are alive but you would hardly know it from a spell watching them! There are different species of whales migrating during the year, where we saw many spouts over the two days though never saw one above the surface.

Finally, San Simeon across the way from the Hearst Castle on the ocean side of the highway has a great little wine tasting place you shouldn’t miss, but don’t get there too late as they do close before sunset.

All can be done in a day, but if you plan to take in Monterey and 17-mile drive north of Big Sur, give yourself two days as it’s hard to leave Big Sur until the sun sets. It’s a full day!

The pictures & video are hard to adequately capture the creator’s hand in carving out this amazing stretch of coastline, but please do take a peak at them until you make it to this majestic place south of San Francisco. Enjoy!