Wildsam – Big Sur & Hwy 1

A field guide to Big Sur & Highway 1: sea creatures and legendary poets, redwood forests and winding roads, secret beaches and famed retreats.

Inside this guide, you’ll discover California’s most storied coastline—from the ultimate Highway 1 itinerary to local insights on food, art, architecture, geology, ocean science, lighthouses and wellness traditions. Explore the history and future of marine research, step into the world of Steinbeck and Kerouac, and meet the visionaries of Esalen. The guide also includes interviews with foragers, restaurant owners and community leaders, plus curated recommendations for iconic coastal experiences.

"South of Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea, Highway 1 is a pilgrimage, an epiphany, a panorama, an achievement. It's also a path into an inscrutable and wondrous spot on our map."

Highlights

• The definitive Highway 1 itinerary

• Local intel on art, food, nature and architecture

• Redwood forests, ocean viewpoints and hidden beaches

• Interviews with coastal artisans and community voices

• Archival finds and authentic Big Sur recommendations

Perfect For

• Road-trippers exploring California’s coast

• Readers drawn to nature, literature and coastal history

• Travelers seeking curated, local-driven insights

• Collectors of Wildsam’s regional field guides