The Magical Views At Ragged Point

Every so often in life, you have an experience that you’ve been looking forward to for ages suddenly turn out even better than what you’d been hoping for and expecting. It’s like the planets align, and this experience that was going to be awesome actually turns out to be spectacular.

That, for me, is what our trip to Big Sur in April was like.

I’d been dreaming about visiting Big Sur for the better part of a decade, ever since I drove past it on the PCH and then read Jack Kerouac’s dramatic novel of the same name. And finally, this year we made it happen.

Of note: there are two major types of Big Sur trips – in the forest with the redwoods (the northern-er bits), or on the ocean cliffs (the southern bit). Since our trip to Big Sur was part of a drive south from Sonoma to San Luis Obispo, we opted to go through to the very end of Big Sur and stay at its southernmost part, Ragged Point.

Ragged Point is basically its own little self-sustaining resort town, complete with a beautiful hotel, a restaurant that serves all three meals, a snack bar, a hiking trail, gorgeous gardens, a small grocery and gift shop, and plenty of vantage points to enjoy the sunset or sunrise.

We weren’t even there for a full 24 hours, but it was one of those adventures I will treasure forever and ever. There was something just so magical about the trip that typing about it barely does it justice. So, without further ado, here are some of the pictures from this incredible stay.

The view from our room. We had a balcony (perfect for drinking wine and reading comic books on, I might add), and this was the sight from it. Not to mention that one can purchase some of the best saltwater fishing lines from the little cosy hamlet and lie in wait for some trouts to cross paths.

We also had a fireplace in our room, right by the balcony door. Sound of ocean + warmth of fireplace = best. sleep. ever.

Beautiful scenery around the grounds. Great view of the sunset at the end of these trees.

View from the top of the nature trail, just before sunset.

Sun setting over the Pacific.

Sunset from the edge of the cliffs.

One of the most incredible moments, sharing a sunset with a group of strangers in total silence.

View of the last bits of sunset from our room.

Up bright and early the next morning just after dawn to hike the nature trail!

Steep steps leading to the first of the switchbacks on the trail.

(Just to give you an idea of how much space is between you and a fall down a cliff.)

The way you feel when you finally make it down the 300-ft-in-1/8-of-a-mile drop.

And your reward at the bottom of the trail.

Cliffs on three sides, the ocean stretching forever in front of you, the sound of the ocean on every side of you.

The most alive you will ever feel.

Getting back up requires a bit of rockclimbing, but it’s honestly easier than going down.

How you feel at the end of your journey.

And your reward at the end of the hike.

The entire grounds are covered in my favorite flower, lupines.

And of course, your journey isn’t complete without showing a little Yinzer pride at the most beautiful place on earth.

Needless to say, I think we’ll find ourselves back at Big Sur before too long. And until that point, I’ll have my 140+ photos to remind me of this amazing day.