Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Your Trip
Visiting Big Sur
Big Sur is "open" year round. Many visitors come during high season (April–October), when the weather is warmest and all facilities are open. Others prefer mid-season (February–March and November–December), when most facilities are open and the weather is often wonderful, though it can be punctuated with rain showers.
Off-peak season is also a great time to visit — less fog, fewer visitors, and more affordable lodging. There are many clear, beautiful days in December, and when a rainstorm does roll in, it's a remarkable experience to watch the storm from the warm confines of your room.
No! The fog tends to cycle in and out, and paradoxically, is most dominant in the high season — even then, it will often retreat by late morning. Some day excursions into the heart of Big Sur are consistently clear of fog, and there's less chance of encountering it during the mid and off-peak seasons.
Everything. And nothing. A vast, seemingly untouched world awaits your gaze from the comfort of your room or vehicle, or you can experience the wonder of Big Sur directly via walks, hikes, and side roads. See our Activities page to learn more.
Call the CalTrans Road Info Hotline at 1-800-427-7623 (1-800-427-ROAD) for current conditions before making the drive down Highway 1. We also recommend checking again the morning of your arrival, since conditions on this stretch of coast can change quickly.
Hearst Castle is approximately 38 miles south of Lucia Lodge, about an hour's drive down Highway 1.
Monterey and Carmel are about 48 miles north of Lucia Lodge, roughly a 90-minute drive. San Francisco is approximately 180 miles north.
Your Stay
Staying at Lucia Lodge
Think "homey" and "rustic" when you think of Lucia Lodge. Think of warm, cozy, updated rooms with comfortable beds. Think of close-up, breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Lucia Mountains. We are not the five-star resort found further up the road in Big Sur Valley — we are the easy, relaxed, friendly inn that many guests return to each year, centrally located with access to the Big Sur Valley, the interior of Big Sur, and famous Hearst Castle, all within an hour's drive.
Lucia Lodge's own restaurant and store is closed following a fire in 2021. The lodge itself remains open, and nearby dining is available as close as 12 miles away. We do still offer a Grab-n-Go breakfast each day. See our Food Service page for current options.
No, pets are not allowed at Lucia Lodge.
Yes, free unlimited WiFi is available in all rooms.
No. Rooms are intentionally unplugged — no phones or televisions — so nothing distracts from the ocean views and quiet.
Cancellations made 7 or more days before arrival are refundable, subject to a processing fee, or can be converted to a gift certificate at no fee. Cancellations 2–7 days before arrival can only be converted to a gift certificate at half the deposit value. Cancellations within 2 days, no-shows, and early departures do not receive a refund.
Check-in begins at 4pm, with early check-in possible if a room is vacant and clean. Check-out is at 11am; late check-outs up to 3pm are charged a half-day rate, and after 3pm a full-day rate applies.
The honeymoon cottage and the four oceanview cliffside cabins sit right at the cliff's edge with full ocean views. The three partial ocean view rooms also face the water, set back a bit further from the cliff. Three mountain view rooms face the Santa Lucia Mountains instead.
Yes. Lucia Lodge has been owned and operated by the Harlan family since the land was homesteaded in the 1800s, and is now stewarded by the fifth generation. Read more on our History page.
Still Have Questions?
We're Happy to Help
Reach out any time, or go ahead and reserve your stay above the Pacific.