Edge-of-the-earth views across the Pacific, wood and stone details bringing nature right into your room—Ventana Big Sur (formerly Ventana Inn & Spa) is a place not just to relax, but to fill your spirit too. Surrounded by 243 acres of lush forests, this resort almost feels like a secret enclave in the woods, and its wood and stone details enhance that nature-all-around-you ambience, leaving you to wonder what smells more amazing: the ocean breeze, or your morning coffee. (Ed. note: As of December 2023, portions of northbound Highway 1 are closed. See this page for details.)
Its 59 refurbished rooms (including two guest houses) are tucked into the hillsides—many with mountain or ocean views from private balconies or patios—and equipped with soaking tubs, fireplaces, and winsome amenities like walking sticks or lanterns to take outside while you explore.
To immerse yourself even more in the scenery, choose one of the 15 safari tents in Ventana’s 20-acre canyon, which are part of the resort’s new glamping program. Mind you, this is not “roughing it”: the cabin-esque tents come outfitted with plush mattresses and bedding, daily housekeeping service (including nightly turndown service); and access to a spa-worthy Bath House with teak-enclosed showers, heated floors, and marble vanities.
Whichever kind of accommodation you choose, hang out with other guests at the resort’s Social House, with a library/music room, game room, and bar room, as well as a fire-pit-centered patio. Stick around for dinner, too: the resort’s Sur House restaurant offers up a Central Coast–style menu that combines Pacific-sourced seafood, local produce and free-range meats.
Daily activities feature creative spins on traditional resort fare: Choose from options such as photography hikes, beekeeping classes, charcoal sketching, and drum circles—or foodie indulgences like a cooking lesson and lunch with the resort’s chef, or the Sip Like a Sommelier class highlighting local wines.
Or just head to the spa, where enticements include a stone massage using local Big Sur jade or a Javanese coffee scrub. Bliss out in one of the outdoor cabanas overlooking the redwood forest, paddle around the two outdoor pools, or soak in the Japanese-style hot bath. Don’t miss the daily, free guided walks around the resort’s grounds: Look out over the water for humpback whales or dolphins, and keep an eye out amongst the redwoods for brush rabbits, bats, or California condors flying overhead.
Insider tip: Browse exquisite ceramics, jewelry, and paintings by leading Big Sur artists and artisans in the resort’s Glass House Gallery.