WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 198
California · Couples · Two nights

Big Sur

Cliffs, redwoods and the Pacific.

Big Sur is the wild stretch of coast where the Santa Lucia Mountains drop straight into the Pacific, and Highway 1 clings to the cliffs above it. Land at Monterey, drive south past Bixby Bridge, stay at a cliff-top resort or a cabin in the redwoods, watch McWay Falls pour onto the beach, and have lunch on the terrace at Nepenthe.

Coastal driveLuxury resortsRedwoods
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Aerial view of Big Sur's mountains dropping to the Pacific
The Big Sur coast from above.
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KMRY
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~2097 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~14 hr 14 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Monterey and drive south.

There is no public airport in Big Sur. Land at KMRY, Monterey Regional, a towered field with a 7,175-foot runway; Big Sur Village is about 45 minutes south on Highway 1.

The FBO

Monterey Jet Center

Monterey Regional Airport, Monterey, CA

831-373-0190

Check Highway 1 conditions before you go; landslides close sections of the road some winters (Caltrans QuickMap). Summer fog often means an instrument approach at Monterey. No live fuel price is shown.

Central California coast: marine layer and fog much of the summer, often burning off by late morning and returning in the evening; clear, calm fall days; winter storms and gusty winds over the coastal ranges. About 2100 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way with several fuel stops. Plan a week, or overnight on the way out and back.

02 / Where to stay

Cliff-top luxury or a river inn.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Resorts book months ahead.

03 / Where to eat

Lunch with a view.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Bridges, falls and beaches.

Pull over only at signed turnouts.

05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Big Sur events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample coastal weekend. This is a two-day flight each way; plan a week. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at KMRY, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Drive south past Bixby Bridge.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Sierra Mar.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    McWay Falls.

  2. Afternoon

    Lunch at Nepenthe.

  3. Evening

    Sunset from your room.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    Breakfast at Big Sur Bakery, then north to Monterey.

  2. Before leaving

    Return the car and allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Fog returns to Monterey in the evening; leave by early afternoon.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Resort first, then a car.

Very long flight

About 2,100 nm from Myrtle Beach: two long days each way.

Road

Check Highway 1 before you go.

Best seasons

April to May and September to October.

Reviewed · Destination 198

Reviewed November 5, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.