Big Sur Archives

scenic vista of redwood studded mountains on a sunny day

Uniting to protect sacred redwoods

by Michele Bigley on October 26, 2023

Tom Little Bear Nason, chairman of Big Sur’s Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, describes his tribe’s long-standing relationship with redwoods. He’s working with the area’s non-native communities to integrate cultural burn strategies into land management practices that will protect the forest from catastrophic wildfires. The deep-seated respect for ancient redwoods has inspired Little Bear and his apprentices to share their traditional ecological knowledge of fire mimicry with the Big Sur community.

Forget Black Friday – get outside

by Save the Redwoods League on November 23, 2022

Avoid the malls this Black Friday, and hit the trails.

Pfeiffer Falls Trail

by Save the Redwoods League on June 14, 2021

After being badly damaged in the July 2008 Basin Complex Fire, the Pfeiffer Falls Trail reopened in June 2021 for hiking, better than ever before.

Save the Redwoods League and California State Parks to Reopen Fully Renovated Pfeiffer Falls Trail in Big Sur on June 18

by Save the Redwoods League on June 14, 2021

Sempervirens Fund announced today that they have secured approvals and critical post-fire funding to remove a dam from Mill Creek. CEMEX, the former owner of what is now San Vicente Redwoods, retains water and infrastructure rights on the property, and approved the dam removal. Deconstruction will begin later this summer.

The Allure of Big Sur

by Dana Viloria on June 15, 2020

Life is a journey, not a destination. That’s Big Sur—a journey, the quintessential scenic route. Named for the pioneer family that conveyed to the state of California a key piece of land here, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is home to some of the region’s most impressive redwoods. From fanciful trees and hidden swimming holes to dramatic coastline vistas, the southern end of the coast redwood range beckons along Highway 1.

An endangered California condor keeps protective watch over its chick in a nesting cave. Photo: John Brandt/USFWS

Condor Chick Signals Hope for the Future

by Madeleine Turner on September 13, 2017

This summer proved to be momentous for the recovery of the California condor. Joe Burnett and Amy List, biologists at Ventana Wildlife Society, located the nest of two condors, #538 and #574, inside a hollowed-out coast redwood in Big Sur. Over the years Burnett watched these two birds, nicknamed Miracle and Nomad, as they fledged and grew up in the wild. Now, they’re raising their own chick — the first chick, since the 1980s, born to parents who were not raised in captivity.

Hare Creek rushes past redwoods in Limekiln State Park. League donors’ support recently helped replace a bridge reconnecting the camping area to all of the park’s trails. © Russ Bishop, Alamy Stock Photo

New Projects Showcase 2 Big Sur Parks

by Save the Redwoods League on April 8, 2016

You have more amenities to enjoy at two breathtaking redwood state parks in Big Sur, thanks to support from League donors like you. Save the Redwoods League helped replace a failing footbridge at Limekiln State Park, and is continuing trail improvements at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Learn about the enhancements and plan your trip.

Kids and adults alike will love exploring lush Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Photo by oskay, Flickr Creative Commons.

Springtime Family Redwoods Getaways

by Jennifer Benito-Kowalski on April 8, 2014

What are your fondest childhood memories? It’s often the small moments we share with loved ones, like sitting around a campfire and watching the stars, that stick with us for life. And you don’t have to shell out the big …

Your Romantic Redwoods Getaways

by Jennifer Benito-Kowalski on February 13, 2014

Around Valentine’s Day, our thoughts turn to redwoods and romance. I’ve been to places where you can spend a magical weekend with your love among the redwoods. Here are three picks that span the range of the coast redwoods, from …

Photo by mikebaird, Flickr Creative Commons

Limekiln State Park

by Save the Redwoods League on January 7, 2013

Visit Limekiln State Park to enjoy the beauty of the redwoods alongside the rugged splendor of the Big Sur coast and explore the history of the lime kilns.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

by Save the Redwoods League on January 4, 2013

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is located off Highway 1, some 26 miles south of Carmel and two miles south of the hamlet of Big Sur. This beautiful park features redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders and willows – plus open meadows.

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