Big Sur

scenic vista of redwood studded mountains on a sunny day

Uniting to protect sacred redwoods

by Michele Bigley on

Tom Little Bear Nason, chairman of Big Sur’s Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, describes his tribe’s long-standing relationship with redwoods. He’s working with the area’s non-native communities to integrate cultural burn strategies into land management practices that will protect the forest from catastrophic wildfires. The deep-seated respect for ancient redwoods has inspired Little Bear and his apprentices to share their traditional ecological knowledge of fire mimicry with the Big Sur community.

The Allure of Big Sur

by Dana Viloria on

Life is a journey, not a destination. That’s Big Sur—a journey, the quintessential scenic route. Named for the pioneer family that conveyed to the state of California a key piece of land here, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is home to some of the region’s most impressive redwoods. From fanciful trees and hidden swimming holes to dramatic coastline vistas, the southern end of the coast redwood range beckons along Highway 1.

An endangered California condor keeps protective watch over its chick in a nesting cave. Photo: John Brandt/USFWS

Condor Chick Signals Hope for the Future

by Madeleine Turner on

This summer proved to be momentous for the recovery of the California condor. Joe Burnett and Amy List, biologists at Ventana Wildlife Society, located the nest of two condors, #538 and #574, inside a hollowed-out coast redwood in Big Sur. Over the years Burnett watched these two birds, nicknamed Miracle and Nomad, as they fledged and grew up in the wild. Now, they’re raising their own chick — the first chick, since the 1980s, born to parents who were not raised in captivity.

Hare Creek rushes past redwoods in Limekiln State Park. League donors’ support recently helped replace a bridge reconnecting the camping area to all of the park’s trails. © Russ Bishop, Alamy Stock Photo

New Projects Showcase 2 Big Sur Parks

by Save the Redwoods League on

You have more amenities to enjoy at two breathtaking redwood state parks in Big Sur, thanks to support from League donors like you. Save the Redwoods League helped replace a failing footbridge at Limekiln State Park, and is continuing trail improvements at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Learn about the enhancements and plan your trip.

Kids and adults alike will love exploring lush Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Photo by oskay, Flickr Creative Commons.

Springtime Family Redwoods Getaways

by Jennifer Benito-Kowalski on

What are your fondest childhood memories? It’s often the small moments we share with loved ones, like sitting around a campfire and watching the stars, that stick with us for life. And you don’t have to shell out the big …

Couple hiking in a redwood forest

Your Romantic Redwoods Getaways

by Jennifer Benito-Kowalski on

Around Valentine’s Day, our thoughts turn to redwoods and romance. I’ve been to places where you can spend a magical weekend with your love among the redwoods. Here are three picks that span the range of the coast redwoods, from …