Can someone elaborate on the attraction of Nepenthe? We are driving from Monterey to Hearst Castle the 3rd week in June, so we hope roadwork is completed by then.

Remember that is an estimate--keep an eye on the CalTrans website ( SR1 Central Coast).

Nepenthe has a great view of the Big Sur Coast line and you can sit on it's deck and enjoy it rather then just pulling into a roadside pulloff. Some like the food, some like the history and make it a point of visiting. I'm one of those who would not make a special trip to Nepenthe, because I find the food mediocre and would rather sit outside at Cielo at Ventana and enjoy the view. Each to their own. However, If you have never been it is worth a stop for the view alone, especially if you are going on to Hearst.

Nepenthe is one of those places where the view is so good, the food can be overpriced and mediocre and they're still in business.

Nepenthe is worth a drive by if you've never been there...after lunch ANYWHERE else in Big Sur. The view from Cielo or from Sierra Mar are far superior. Others will disagree of course and that is their perogative.

As a destination on its own, it is not worth a 4 hour drive. I don't care how lovely the wildflowers are, LOL.

There are some of us that love Nepenthe. The view is indisputably gorgeous and some of us like the food too.
There are some that hate Nepenthe. Not sure why, but they pop up on a regular basis to say that they do.
There are some that think the food is just "okay" and not worth a stop.

One thing I've noticed over the past view years is that, time after time, someone will write in a trip report how surprised they were that they really enjoyed the food.

It's not a "foodie" stop, but I've never stopped there for a meal and been disappointed. I've traveled the coast with a wide range of folks (on business and leisure trips) and everyone in my party has had the same experience. IMO it's one of my favorite things to do in California. Slow down, take a break on the drive down the coast, sit out in the sunshine, soak up the sun and the scenery and enjoy a bite to eat. For some reason, some people don't enjoy that. Different strokes for different folks.

For those considering going (and are on Facebook) "like" them as a FB friend and just enjoy the daily updates - with pictures. What a spectacular escape during a work day at home :-)

It is impressive that Caltrans may get this fixed by the end of April. Seems like a quick turnaround for them, especially given the location of the silde.

Bill, it's an estimate. I will be pleasantly surprised if the work is done by mid-May. I just know it won't be open this weekend for my long weekend in Carmel, but then again it's not my first visit (nor my only one scheduled this year).

Yes, Caltrans has their work cut out for them.

SAB, Have a great time this weekend!

We may be headed Big Sur way in the early fall. Either there or The Sea Ranch, our two favorite places along the coast.

Re: Nepenthe vs Ventana restaurant patio (Cielo). The former is my personal favorite. However, I would recommend looking at the patio at Nepenthe first. If it looks like a place you would love to eat, go for it. If not, then go to the patio at Ventana restaurant. Each is a whole different atmosphere so it depends on your personal preference.

So if one had to retrace from Carmel back to 101, then were heading south, but wanted to see as much of the Big Sur coast south of Big Sur as possible, where could you cut back west to Highway 1? Sorry that's so convuluted.

I have one of those service station maps. No roads at all.

Catch Hwy 46 between Paso Robles and Templeton and drive west to Hwy 1.

hopingtotravel, that's why I posted the Nepenthe status update (NOT to stir up the old (boring) anti-Nepenthe comments. As described in one of the links above they (and other Big Sur businesses) need customers. Their FB status message gave a new route to get to them (vs. going further down the coast to cross over).

Use Google Maps to "see" this.

Enter -
Carmel - normal starting point
Bixby Bridge - point of road closure
48510 California 1, Big Sur, CA 93920-9549 (Nepenthe) - now open
Cambria - reference point on 1 further down the coast
Paso Robles - reference point on 101

Now x out Cambria and add in -
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, CA

You can cross over to 1 (from 101) further north now (than 46).

I'll repeat their status message -
<i>An update from Nephenthe's FB page -

Nepenthe Big Sur
Another day of sunshine! Caltrans successfully opened the highway at LimeKiln, so wIth Nacimiento Ferguson Road open folks can come and go. What was a 45 minute drive to town now takes 4 hours, but it is a chance to enjoy breathtaking displays of wildflowers and some of Big Sur's most beautiful and under appreciated views. And yes, we are open for business!</i>

The point of my adding that was as an FYI as a different/shorter route to the area cut off by the road closure. It's a lot of driving, I don't know of another way to get over to that part of the coast. My guess is that Nepenthe was providing a route option from Carmel that they know of to their location - but perhaps someone here knows better/different/something they (Nepenthe) don't know. Just an idea if you are trying to get over to Big Sur.

Add in Big Sur on the google map if you despise Nepenthe ;)

Hope that helps, hopingtotravel.

OT - Starrs, I went to a panel discussion among three "memoirists" last night -- one of whom is the granddaughter of the founders of Nepenthe and grew up there. She wrote a book called, oddly (LOL) "My Nepenthe". Thought you might be interested.

http://www.amazon.com/My-Nepenthe-Bo.../dp/0740779141

That looks very interesting. I love the Amazon option to take a look inside the book. I was going to order it on my Kindle until I saw the pics and realized there were recipes. I just ordered in on Amazon. Thanks sf7307! :-)

Yes, the trip using Nacimiento-Ferguson Rd. is a shorter route than using Hwy 46. Sorry I missed this option.

Thanks, Bill. Not staying in your favorite place, but a house in Carmel Meadows is pretty nice also.

Carmel Meadows is very nice indeed! I love that area.

Each year the house rental seems to move further south and away from the center of the village. This is the first year for Carmel Meadows, which has become a favorite areas over the years.

OK - where is Carmel Meadows??

Stu Dudley