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 Coastal Cliffs of Big Sur.
Big Sur is a section of the California coast, that runs along Hwy 1, from Carmel-by-the-Sea in the north to San Luis Obispo, or more precisely to the Hearst Castle at San Simeon in the south. It is characterized by the collision of coastal mountain ranges, locally named the Santa Lucia Range, with the Pacific Ocean. Throughout much of Big Sur, this produces dramatic sea cliffs and undersea kelp forests. The mountains trap most of the moisture out of the clouds, often in the form of morning fogs, creating a favorable environment for forests, including the southernmost habitat of the famous coast redwoods. Farther inland, in the rain shadow, the forests disappear and
the vegetation becomes more like the familiar fire-tolerant California chaparral scrub.
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 Big Sur,
California, has been described as "the greatest
meeting of land and sea" and included among the
hundred things on Earth that haven't been spoiled
yet. Adorning the shoulders of the continent with Aquamarine Coves, and picturesque bridges strung along California's
Highway One, all of this splendor was virtually
inaccessible until the 1930s when scenic California
Highway One was completed.¹
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 Even
today, Big Sur is relatively remote and much of it is protected
government land. The result is a landscape that is
virtually unspoiled by human contact, and is
a place defined by its natural features mountains and water.
Here at the edge of the continent,
mountains plunge into the sea with little regard for
the tiny ribbon of highway that clings tenuously to
their slopes or the tourists clustered at every
turn, taking photographs and chattering about the views.¹
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Off the highway,
The quiet in Big Sur is startling - there are no
noises from cars, airplanes, blaring radios or other
man made sounds to mask the persistent sounds of
nature.
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In the day, the ocean is the star of the show, with
crashing waves
and sweeping vistas that end only at the horizon.
Whether one
chooses to become immobile while contemplating any
of the hundreds
of captivating views or decides to putter down the
coast visiting
art galleries and shops, the temptation to do less
and less becomes
stronger until, by the end of the day, most Big Sur
visitors can be
found in a profound state of relaxation.¹
 Even the cattle that graze in the
Pastures of Big Sur, are
surrounded by spectacular scenery. Talk about
contented cows. |
Point Sur,
Although you can not see it in this view, there is a Lighthouse and
its supporting
buildings atop this piece of volcanic rock at the
edge of the Big
Sur shore, It is now a California State Historic
Park, This
aide-to-navigation has a modern aero-beacon which
still guides
ships along the Central California Coast. On the
National Register
of Historic Places and a California Landmark, Pt.
Sur can be
visited by guided walking tours year round. |
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