big sur question
 

I am planning a trip to the central coast in CA for the first week of August. I plan on spending 2 nights in Carmel, 3 in Big Sur, and 2 in Santa Barbara.

The part I am really looking forward to is Big Sur. I day tripped through some of it once a few years ago and have always wanted to go back and stay.

I have been reading through the old posts on Big Sur to get ideas, and I came across a poster who mentioned that "July was the worst time to be in Big Sur" due to cold and fog."

I'm hoping that some Fodorites that know the area can tell me if this is true. It makes me nervous because I know how windy the road is. In fact, the one time I was there it was February and we drove down from Carmel, only getting as far as Nepenthe because the fog made the road impossible to navigate (it was quite scary).

anyway, summer is the only time I can travel (the Feb. thing was a fluke), but I still have time to change my plans if the weather at that time is truly horrible.

I would appreciate any feedback about Big Sur in early August. Thank you in advance for any thoughts on this.

I can't imagine the fog is bad in early august--overcast is a problem in june sometimes--

I can't speak to August, but I've been there the first week of September and the fog was bad in the early morning, but cleared by late morning/early afternoon.

For whatever it's worth, we were there last May (end of month) and there was NO fog.

June can also be very bad. Several years ago I visited the Big Sur area in June, as part of a drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara. This entire stretch of road was completely fogged in. I couldn't see more than a few inches ahead of me. If it wasn't for hearing the waves, it would have been impossible to know an ocean was even there.

There was just another thread on this subject a few days ago, called "Fog in Late August in San Francisco and Carmel." I have just topped it and I strongly recommend it--very good comments from all posters except for the person who, on that thread, has used the name TKay. This person is notorious among Northern California posters for trying to discourage people from visiting anyplace other than San Jose.

The consensus of the other posters, with which I agree, is that summer is the best time for visiting Big Sur by far. You can never predict for sure when or where there may be fog in this region or for how long. When there is fog, it often is only in some places for some parts of the day. And the fog, when coming in or coming out, is often very beautiful and a major enhancement to the scenery.

In most places in the country, and in Big Sur in the other seasons of the year, you always face the possibility that it may rain and that may interfere with sightseeing. The possibility of fog in Big Sur in the summer is certainly no worse and in many ways better because it usually comes and goes so quickly and in limited areas, and makes those area even more beautiful as it does. I definitely would not reschedule your visit for another season because of it.

Also, for an only-in-Big Sur experience, consider staying at a place I love, Deetjen's Big Sur Inn. Go to www.deetjens.com. It's a beautiful site, with much useful info and links on the area, even if you don't stay there.

Well said, johncharles!

Besides, if you can't visit Big Sur during the summertime, when can you visit Big Sur? I certainly wouldn't want to drive that road in the wintertime!

Along the California coast, there is always a chance of fog. Entire dissertations have been written on this forum on why there can be fog. Anyhoos, it's pretty much a given that you have a 50-50 chance of meeting with SOME fog during your drive. I wouldn't let fog interfere with my plans for visiting the Central Coast.

If you don't want to wake up to fog - which is such an enchanting thing to do! - you may want to stay at Pfeiffer Big Sur, as johncharles has suggested. Pfeiffer Big Sur is slightly inland and will most likely have sunshine while the rest of the coast has fog.

As JackOneill has said, fog is most likely to be present in the morning. You will have a 90% chance of sunny noons and afternoons for your hikes.

Enjoy California!

I was there in August one year, and lunched at Nepanthe and stayed at the Ventana Inn. The weather was perfect. Everything was.

Most of Big Sur is located just far enough inland from the ocean, that it rarely suffers from the the amount of fog in the summer that plagues the Monterey Peninsula 23 miles to its north.I went down there yesterday for some hiking and while it was dreary all day in PG the weather was clear and warm all day in Big Sur.So more often than not you will have great clear weather in Big Sur during the summer months.

The worst time to be in Big Sur is during an El Nino winter - torrential rains, mud slides, washed out roads...

Summertime will be great.

Easytraveler, it's terrific to have you back! I've missed you greatly.

Just a little clarification for RebeccaNJ--while Big Sur Lodge at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is a fine place to stay, and that park in general, being inland, is less likely to be foggy than right on the Coast as Easytraveler suggests, the lodging I was recommending to you is Deetjen's Big Sur Inn (rather than Lodge.) It's not in the state park, although not far away (it's just a little south of Nepenthe.) You would find it more literary/Bohemian and couple oriented, and less tourist/kid oriented, than Big Sur Lodge. A distinctive atmosphere, very Big Sur, but not for everyone.

Rebecca,
I understand your concerns. I have lived in both Carmel and Pacific Grove for many years and my experience with the weather in the area is that June, July, August (and sometimes even early September) are typically foggy times--although, as others have mentioned, Big Sur can be sunnier than Carmel during the summer, at least until the fog rolls in again. :-) And it doesn't always burn off and stay off, sometimes it burns off, then comes back in again in the afternoon, or whenever it feels like it. It's totally unpredictable. Fog is chilly, but it's usually not too dense--a high, pretty, see-through fog that blows in and out and usually doesn't obscure your view driving. Usually, but not always. So, it's variable, sometimes the weather is fine, and if summer's the time you can go, then I'd do it! You might want to check out the live webcam at nepenthebigsur.com for updated weather conditions in the sur and/or call one of the state parks there--they can tell you what it's like at the moment. Bring a sweater and a jacket, just in case.

The very best time weatherwise in the area is mid-September through October. Indian Summer. The whole area warms up--the fog is minimal. Sunrises and sunsets are gorgeous! The bulk of the tourists have gone home and this is when the locals come out to play, as well as saavy travelers. Living out of the area now, we always plan a trip to Carmel in September or early October. Last early October, it was sunny in Carmel, but on our drive down the coast, we met with pretty good fog at Nepenthe, even in Indian Summer, but it wasn't a problem--we grabbed a couple of coffee drinks, headed out to the verandah and enjoyed the moment.

If the weather is clear during your visit, try to get in for lunch at Post Ranch Inn for the best ocean views in Big Sur and great food--call ahead for reservations. If they're full, Ventana is also very nice. Have a great time!

Hi, johncharles! Thanks! Good to be back! California is the bestest place in the world!

Every time I come back from Asia, I have to get into a car and just drive and drive and drive around California! :)

With you, johncharles, and all the other vigilant Fodorites, I'm certain our resident San Jose weirdo has not been able to mislead many people!

RebeccaNJ: Come and visit California! All this nonsense about fog along the coast is just a whole lot of hooey. I'll bet that, had your attention not been drawn to it, you would not have paid much/any attention to the amount of fog you will meet on this trip.

On those days when the sun is blazing over a glorious blue ocean, don't miss Point Lobos or Nepenthe!

In early August, fog along the coast is neither nonsense nor a lot of hooey, it's pretty typical. The Monterey Peninsula is famous for it's cool, foggy summers and Big Sur's temps can fluctuate wildly from 50 degrees in fog to 80 in sun, and it can change quickly--that's part of the beauty of it.

From my own experience driving Highway 1 in summer, if you do get fog, it's usually micro-fog and light, as I said before. Mornings and evenings can be heavier. For your own peace of mind, you can call Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park at (831) 667-2315 and talk to someone knowledgeable who can verify this information for you and answer other questions you might have.

Thank you for all the informative replies. I appreciate all the advice, especially the topping of that other thread and the tips on deetjen's website and the other places, and the number for pfeiffer. It's amazing how the internet has changed how we learn about places!

After reading the replies and exploring the websites and other posts for the California coast, I've decided to go to California. I can't wait to go to Big Sur, it looks incredibly beautiful. Thanks again for all the helpful replies! Now I'm off to explore all the California posts on this board that I've missed.

winerycat: I apologize for any ambiguity in my language.

I didn't mean that the fog itself is "hooey".

I meant that the silly postings by You-know-who - Feel like Harry Potter and saying: "We never say his name" :) - that RebeccaNJ read, those silly postings are a bunch of "hooey".

LOL! No problem, easytraveler and thanks for the clarification. I wondered if maybe that was the case, but was not sure, so I repeated my msg. so Rebecca would understand.

So, you'll be trekking to Big Sur next week-end? How lucky can you get! Don't forget the trip report and have fun, with or without fog! ((H))

winerycat: thanks a mil! Am hoping for a bit of sunshine this time, as I've got some pictures of fantastic shaped trees in the semi-fog. Am wondering if it's possible to get contrasting pictures of the same trees in the sunshine. Will post some picts later.