Posts.
Posts sits thirty miles south of Carmel along Highway 1, reachable by car in about forty-five minutes on winding coastal asphalt. The settlement marks the historic homestead ridge of Big Sur, known for dramatic clifftop lookouts, coastal redwood canyons, and high-end ridge dining. Posts is worth visiting if you want quiet ridge hiking above the Pacific fog line and thoughtful regional cooking with serious ocean views. Look elsewhere if you want walkable sidewalks, lively nightlife, or easy access to sand.
Last updated 3 Nov 2026
Build a Posts itinerary.
Choose up to 4 threads that pull you in. Your plan arrives organised around them.
The Bed
Where to stay in Posts
Which part of town to book, and what each one costs you in walking, noise or quiet.
The Comparison
Posts, or somewhere near it
The places you are realistically choosing between, and the honest case for each.
The Local Record
Where to read more about Posts
The blogs, boards, guides and operators worth bookmarking.
What to do in Posts California United States
Life around Posts revolves around the ridgeline, Highway 1, and the shifting marine layer. Days follow an unhurried rhythm of morning hikes through redwoods in Pfeiffer Big Sur, long lunches perched above the waves, and evenings watching condors coast on thermal updrafts. It suits travellers who value quiet Pacific expanses, exceptional wine lists, and rugged coastal walking over town bustle.
24 hours in Posts California United States
Start at Big Sur Bakery for espresso and hot ginger scones, then hike the Buzzards Roost switchbacks before noon. Spend the afternoon taking in the sweeping Pacific views from the terrace at Nepenthe. Finish with dinner at Sierra Mar as twilight settles over the water, keeping a jacket handy for the quick coastal temperature drop. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Posts California United States
A second day lets you explore Sycamore Canyon Road down to the purple sands of Pfeiffer Beach in the morning light. Head south to Partington Cove for a short walk through a historic timber tunnel to the surge, then end the afternoon browsing books under the redwoods at Henry Miller Memorial Library. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Posts California United States
With three days, venture south toward Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to view McWay Falls spilling onto the cove. Spend an unhurried afternoon tasting Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands and enjoying the quiet stillness of the ridge trails once day-trippers head north toward Monterey.
Posts California United States itineraries by interest
Coastal Dining in Posts California United States
Reserve a clifftop table at Sierra Mar or Nepenthe for Pacific black cod, dry-aged steaks, Monterey Spot prawns, and stellar regional pinot noir.
Forest Trails in Posts California United States
Hike under old-growth redwoods along the Buzzards Roost Trail or head to Pfeiffer Falls, climbing through quiet coastal canyon switchbacks.
Wine Tasting in Posts California United States
Sample cool-climate Santa Lucia Highlands chardonnay and local syrah with sommeliers who know every vineyard along the Central Coast benchlands.
Wildlife Watching in Posts California United States
Scan the ocean from high headlands for migrating grey whales, sea otters in the kelp beds, and California condors riding thermal drafts.
Local History in Posts California United States
Trace the 1860s Post family homestead story and early Big Sur cattle ranching roots across historic redwood buildings and ridge pastures.
Bakery & Coffee in Posts California United States
Grab morning espresso, house-baked sourdough loaves, and berry pastries at Big Sur Bakery before trails fill with midday traffic.
Architecture in Posts California United States
Study the organic modernist wood-and-glass cabins of Post Ranch Inn, designed by Mickey Muennig to blend into the coastal ridge.
Scenic Drives in Posts California United States
Drive Highway 1 across Bixby Bridge and along steep ocean cliffs, navigating the winding turns between coastal fog banks and midday sun.
Literary History in Posts California United States
Visit the nearby Henry Miller Memorial Library for regional poetry readings, folk records, and mid-century Big Sur bohemian lore.
River Walks in Posts California United States
Wade the shallow Big Sur River shallows at the River Inn or walk the shaded redwood banks near Weyland bridges on quiet weekday mornings.
Stargazing in Posts California United States
Step outside on clear ridge nights far from urban light pollution to see the Milky Way arch over the Pacific horizon with zero glare.
State Parks in Posts California United States
Explore Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park trails and head down to the purple sand of Pfeiffer Beach just off Sycamore Canyon Road.