Santa Barbara and the Central Coast: Places to Explore
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
Big Sur
Long a retreat of artists and writers, Big Sur is a place of ancient forests and rugged shoreline, stretching 90 miles from San Simeon to Carmel. Residents have protected it from overdevelopment, and much of the region lies within several state parks and the more than 165,000-acre Ventana Wilderness, itself part of the Los Padres National Forest.
Big Sur at a Glance
Sights
Elsewhere in Santa Barbara and the Central Coast
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Travel Deals in Santa Barbara and the Central Coast
- 3-Star Montecito Inn Fr $195+/Nt Save with Hotels.com, $35/night less
- Book in Santa Barbara Fr $159+/Nt Save with Hotels.com, $100/night less
- Dream Deal: BEST WESTERN PLUS Pepper Tree Inn 4 Nts + Air Fr $703 Expedia
- $13.95 & up : Full Size rentals in Santa Barbara Hotwire
- 3-Star Bath Street Inn Fr $205+/Nt — $205 Hotels.com


