A Weekend at Glen Oaks Big Sur: A Luxurious Haven in the Heart of Big Sur
You've seen pictures of Big Sur, California, haven't you? The stunning pictures of those deep blue waters from the Pacific Ocean that come crashing onto a shoreline filled with magnificent, towering rocks... Or maybe you've seen the pictures of those endless coastline views that seem to be more and more breathtaking with every turn you make. Yeah, I've been seeing those pictures for so long that I had developed serious travel envy. I needed to get to Big Sur, stat.
After spending some time in the Santa Barbara area, it was time for Jay and I to continue our journey north. We grabbed our hiking shoes, our cameras, and our chicest "Big City-meets-Big Sur" outfits (ok, maybe that was just me...) and headed up Highway 1 to get a look at the enchanting Big Sur area for ourselves. And since I'm a big believer that where you stay can make or break your travel experience, I knew that we had to stay somewhere amazing to make our Big Sur adventure magical.
I was sort of into the idea of staying somewhere "outdoorsy" since I'm constantly surrounded by urban structures, but I still wanted the comforts of modern living (you can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl). I spotted Glen Oaks Big Sur on a list that premiered the most romantic outdoor getaways in the United States and was immediately hooked in. The luxurious, newly remodeled guest cabins and lodges, the lush and pristine Redwood Grove, the on-site restaurant, and the ideal location in the heart of Big Sur all sold me on this perfect glamping getaway.
Arriving to this Natural Hideaway
Getting to Glen Oaks Big Sur is really half the fun of staying here! You'll be coming from either north or south on Highway 1 and encounter so many incredible opportunities to stop, pull over, and soak in the majestic views. You could see the beautiful, secluded McWay Falls, the legendary Bixby Bridge, and the miles and miles of incredible, untouched beauty around the California coastline. *Since check-in doesn't start until the afternoon, I'd recommend leaving with ample time in the morning to be able to stop and enjoy the views as many times as you want.
We drove up north on Highway 1, which gave for a longer, more scenic route into Glen Oaks Big Sur. We probably stopped along PCH at least a dozen times before arriving at the lodge. When you take this route, you can stop and see the "Portal to Big Sur" at Ragged Point Inn & Resort, the McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, the purple sand beaches at Pfeiffer Beach, countless hiking trails and stunning views, and all of the adorable, local restaurants, like Big Sur Roadhouse. The entire road trip kept building up our anticipation to arrive at Glen Oaks!
Choosing Your Experience
After spending the day exploring Big Sur, we were finally ready to check into our room at the lodge. What I love about this property is that it is comprised of multiple fireside motor lodges and numerous single and multi-room cabins, all of which are newly renovated and remodeled. These separate options allow you to choose the exact type of experience you want to have during your stay: either "immersive glamping in the forest" or "comfortable luxury with a side of nature."
The upscale cabins are all in the heart of a Redwood Grove, which makes for a perfect, quiet nature experience. The stately fireside motor lodges are a little bit more suitable for those who want the beauty of nature with a little more modern, luxury comfort. Since it was our first time staying in an outdoor getaway like this, we opted for the Adobe King Fireside Lodge because we wanted that comfortable luxury with a side of nature experience. It was perfect for my "Big City-meets-Big Sur" mentality :)
Luxury Comfort Meets Rustic-Chic
Entering our elegant fireside lodge was such an unforgettable experience. After we pulled up to the property, we got out of the car and followed a path around high fences covered in fresh Jasmine that danced alongside the towering trees. We opened the gate to our lodge and were greeted by a lovely, private outdoor patio that came with a two-way gas fireplace, which was visible from the outside and interior of our room.
Our King guest room was beautifully decorated in a rustic/retro style with a modern twist. The room had bright, colorful decor, gorgeous wood furnishings, fun activities to keep you busy (like yoga mats, board games, and a Buddha Board), and even a complimentary s'mores kit! The bed and pillows were a fabulous highlight of their own... I think I fell asleep within 2 seconds of putting my head down on that pile of plush pillows.
However, my favorite part of the whole room (and probably the thing that I was most excited about) was the bathroom. The glamorous bathroom came with heated floors, modern fixtures, and a large, two-person shower with stone flooring. I wanted to cut this room out of the lodge and take it home with me!
How to Spend Your Time Here
After exploring Big Sur all day, it's nice to know that you have stylish comforts to come home to at Glen Oaks Big Sur. However, the homey lodge is much more than just a place to sleep. There is plenty to experience right outside your front door around the property!
Here are some things I would recommend doing during you stay at Glen Oaks Big Sur:
Walk to the Big Sur River
The Big Sur River is located near all of the cabins on the west side of the property. Follow the paths down to the river and enjoy the soothing sounds of the water. If it's warm enough, you can even go in the water for a quick, refreshing dip!
Meander through the Redwood Grove (and see Grandmother Pfeiffer!)
Along the path to the Big Sur River is a stunning Redwood Grove that boasts some of the oldest and largest Redwoods in the area. Make sure you stop and see Grandmother Pfeiffer, which is the second-largest Redwood in all of Big Sur. She is truly magnificent!
Take a hike around the property
You can walk around the property to enjoy all of the natural beauty that surrounds it, or even ask about some of the nearby trails to continue your journey further into Big Sur.
Enjoy the communal campfire
Every night around sundown, Glen Oaks Big Sur hosts a private campfire for their guests at the communal campfire site until 10pm. Bring your s'mores supplies (and maybe a glass of wine), ask the front desk for some skewers, and enjoy!
Stop in at Big Sur Roadhouse for breakfast
The Big Sur Roadhouse, which is currently undergoing a wonderful redecorating process, is a great spot for Glen Oaks guests to stop in for breakfast. They provide complimentary donuts and coffee for guests, as well as an assortment of other small breakfast items. Once the redecorating is complete this year, they will also be serving a full menu with other meal options. The restaurant is so chic and decorated with a variety of unique and hand-made furnishings. It's a must-see!
Chill out in your private outdoor patio
The best part of staying in our guest room was having the private outdoor patio to enjoy at our leisure. You can come out and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, a glass of wine in the evening, or just relax out there with a book or your Buddha Board! I loved that our room had the dual two-way gas fireplace because we were able to turn it on and enjoy it from both the inside and the outside.
Good to Know Information
All of the accommodations at Glen Oaks Big Sur are undergoing an exciting redecorating project to allow for more luxurious comforts throughout the property.
There are no televisions in the rooms to allow for a full nature immersion experience.
There is no cell phone service in Big Sur, but you will have Wi-Fi access in your cabin or lodge.
Coffee and beverages are always available in the front office, as well as across the street at Big Sur Roadhouse. Make sure you pick up a maple donut for breakfast there too! I promise you will be licking your fingers after you eat it... It's that good.
Parking is available on-site near your accommodation.
There is a general store next to the front office in case you need groceries, supplies, or anything you might have forgotten at home.
Staying at Glen Oaks Big Sur really made our Big Sur experience so wonderful! It was perfectly located for what we wanted to see and do, the staff was incredibly friendly, the prices were very affordable for the area, and the accommodations were the excellent combination of "comfortable luxury with a side of nature." We will definitely return to Glen Oaks Big Sur the next time we visit!
Glen Oaks Big Sur
47080 Highway One
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2105
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS HOTEL, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW
Thank you to Glen Oaks Big Sur for hosting our stay. And a special thank you to all of the incredible staff members who made our visit spectacular. This post may include affiliate links, which comes at absolutely no cost to you. All proceeds go directly back into maintaining this website and making it better for you. All opinions are my own.
