Big Trip: Big Sur for 1, 2 or 3-Days -- Coast, Forest, Wildflowers, Birds & More
About this event
Sunday April 12 to Tuesday April 14.
Major Update to Trip Plan on April 14 and Big Sur Trip Plan - Event Page
Big Sur is a photographer’s paradise, with dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, bridges, and beaches offering many opportunities for landscape, flora, sunsets, and wildlife shots. Make this a day trip or a 2 day or 3 day trip. The trip focuses on prime photography spots in Big Sur, enjoying the area, beautiful hikes and socializing.
This trip provides great value for a mini vacation or get away. Bringing guests is encouraged. Carpools will be organized for a better trip experience.
Official Lodging
Lodging in the Big Sur area is very limited and coordinating the group will be difficult if members are staying at multiple hotels. The Big Sur Lodge has no cost cancelation if canceled 14 days or more before booked arrival day.
Our official lodging is inside Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, at the Big Sur Lodge. For the full trip this is from April 12 to 14.
Big Sur Lodge Website Google Maps
47225 Highway One
Big Sur, CA 93920
Room options vary from a standard room to suites with fireplaces and/or kitchens. The Big Sur Lodge has good facilities for us to get together for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks or meeting together.
When Booking use Senior or AAA promo code for 10% off rates. I booked a standard room for two nights paying $375 including all fees and taxes.
Booking direct gets you a free pass to the following parks:
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Andrew Molera State Park
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
You can contact me at My Contact Info
Day 1: Northern Big Sur – Coastal Vistas and Wildlife
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (just north of Big Sur): Hike Cypress Grove Trail and Bird Island Trail (most visitors don’t know to visit Bird Island Trail) for twisted cypresses, sea otters, seals, and emerald China Cove. Great for wildlife and seascape photography
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- We will have a Picnic Lunch in Point Lobos. Bring your own food and drink. The group will discuss what they thought were good locations for photography, so you may want to visit these stops after lunch.
- Garrapata State Park: Trails to bluffs and beaches; Soberanes Point for rugged cliffs and waves. Look for seasonal Calla Lily Valley blooms. If you spend too much time at Point Lobos or choose to check into lodging before dinner, so visiting this park does not work, remember that you can stop by here on the day you return to Palo Alto.
- Bixby Creek Bridge: Iconic arch bridge—shoot from north/pullout viewpoints for classic compositions.
Sunset: is 7:38pm.
3 Ideas for after check-in at the Big Sur Lodge
1-Early dinner at Big Sur Lodge then photography at Pfeiffer Beach or Garrapata for Golden Hour/ Sunset. Late Dinner at Fernwood Inn, after the above photography
2 Nepenthe Restaurant ( Website ) for Pre-dinner drinks, dinner & Socializing. A spot for casual sunset photos as long as you don't interfere with other guests of the restaurant or staff. No tripods. Nepenthe Restaurant is exceptional for its view, food and service – Cliffside views, Ambrosia Burger, casual vibe but no reservations.
3 Dinner at Bir Sur Lodge or other places and relax for the evening.
To see Day 2 and Day 3 plans and other info on this trip see Detailed Big Sur Trip Plan as of April 4
to register for this event, you must be logged into www.pacamera.com, otherwise you will not even see the registration section below
Field Trip Chair(s)
Richard Mirabella
Registration Info
Registration is required
Registration modifications are permitted until Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Registration cancellations will be accepted until Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM
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