Deciding between Sierra Mar at the Post Ranch Inn and Cielo at the Ventana Inn for Lunch. Mostly interested in which has the best views. Can you eat outside at both.

Sierra Mar has beautiful views, we just had dinner there Fri.night. Amazing! There is a small deck there to eat outside, but the best views are from the inside dining room.

Cielo is nice also, you can sit outside there, but there are no views from the inside of the restaurant. We had some pre-dinner drinks at Cielo, then went to Sierra Mar for dinner.

Be prepared for quite a little jaunt up to Sierra Mar, but very much worth the effort! ***kim***

Our favorite lunch view is from the deck rail at Nepenthe. Breathtaking!

prices are better (not great, mind you) at Nepenthe.

but to answer your question, I think if you get the right table, the views are excellent from either Post Ranch or Ventana.

(btw, I've eaten at all three restaurants.)

I have heard horrible reviews on other boards about the food at Mepenthe, we didn't even bother stopping since we were going to Sierra Mar. ***kim***

Sitting outside at Nepenthe provides a great view. Food is good but pricey for what you get but that's because you're in Big Sur. Ventana and Post Ranch have more upscale menus and views can be wonderful from either.

I've been to Nepenthe a handful of times over the last few years, most recently last May. The food has been consistently good. The last time, however, the service was horrible.

Sierra Mar has the best views, food and service! ***kim***

The view at Sierra Mar is nicer than Ventana, it's right on a cliff over the ocean
The food is fine at Nepenthe just over priced. $14.00 for a hamburger, plus another $7.00 if you want fries. Over $20.00 for a burger is just lame, no matter what the view, which is beautiful. It's a wonderful place for a drink at sunset, it has the charm of Big Sur that the newer places just don't have no matter how nice they are.
BTW, are THE Jack Oneil?

Are all the tables at Sierra Mar next to the window?

No, but the views are beautiful from everywhere. We got to the restaurant early and were allowed to pick any table we wanted. I chose a comfy, smallish booth that was near the front of the restaurant.

Our server said that it would be the best place to watch the sunset and it was. That was really a sight I'll always remember. You just have to go to see for yourself.

And the trek up the stairs will do you good! LOL ***kim***

We have sat at a table by the window and a small booth away from the window and the views were actually better from the booth as kim mentioned. Comparing Nepenthe to Sierra Mar is like comparing Folgers to Pete's coffee.
-Bill

Or Wal-Mart to Saks! LOL ***kim***