I'll be in Big Sur in a few weeks any suggestions for restaurants, nice hikes or what to miss.Staying at the River Inn, is it ok? Thanks.

point lobos state park....about 3 miles south of Carmel.

i like the 17-mile drive around pebble beach golf course (don't go when it's foggy). bring a picnic and have lunch at one of the many beautiful spots.
haven't been but a lot of people recommend the monterrey aquarium.

Bring binoculars!River Inn is pretty basic but good value. No phones, no TVs.

Another vote for going to Point Lobos. It's a very beautiful park, with lots of views and good trails for hiking. Another good place for hiking is Pfiffer State Park.

Although a lot of people enjoy 17 mile drive, I would skip it. It is a nice place, basically an exclusive residential area with a lot of expensive homes and a golf course, but with all the incredible scenery in the area, I wouldn't spend my time looking at houses and a golf course.

As long as you're going to be in Big Sur, take advantage of what is right there. I'm more of a "stroller" than a "hiker" but if you want very vigorous hikes they are also available. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park south of where you'll be has a very easy stroll and you end up where a waterfall goes into the ocean. At the Big Sur Lodge area, you can pay a small day-use fee and do several easy hikes that the rangers can give you a map for. One is to a waterfall, one is the Oak Grove Trail. If you go early in the morning, about 6, on the Oak Grove Trail, you may see deer. Also in this same state park, are swimming holes, and places to walk and boulder hop in the water. The rangers can tell you all about this.
The River Inn itself has wooden chairs that they put in the river and you can laze away an afternoon with your feet in the river, drinking your beverage of choice. Very relaxing! And don't miss Pfeiffer Beach--it's unmarked, again ask the rangers. You drive down a 2 mile fern-filled canyon, pay a small day use fee, and walk onto a magnificent beach with towering rocks just offshore--truly magnificent. Not really a swimming beach, but be sure to see it. We often spend a week at Big Sur, really relaxing and watching the water on the river. I haven't even mentioned Andrew Molera State Park.
The best breakfast in Big Sur is at Deetjens--tranquil classical music, fire places or pot bellied stove in each of 3 rooms, wonderful food (also open for dinner). If you want to picnic, there's a great deli/general store next to the post office. Big Sur is one of my favorite places--don't rush through it to see Carmel/Monterey.

How could I leave out watching the sunset from Nepenthe's and then staying late enough to sit around the communal fire pit? Check out the vantage point in the back of the restaurant outside.
And for a real treat, have lunch at Ventanas (too expensive for me for dinner)

Thank you so much for the great suggestions.We're looking forward to a nice relaxing time(with a little hiking).I've heard the food at Nepenthe isn't so great,but I'd love to stop for a drink and enjoy the view.I figured the River Inn was a little rustic since the price is so cheap but that's ok.We'll spend the rest on a nice dinner! Thanks again.