Big Sur has no firm boundary, but is generally taken to be the roughly 71-mile segment of Highway 1 between Malpaso Creek, near Carmel Highlands, and San Carpóforo Creek near San Simeon, plus the Santa Lucia range behind it. It has been called the longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coast in the contiguous United States.
Only 1,800 to 2,000 people live there year-round, in four small settlements, although visitors number in the millions. Until the Carmel-San Simeon Highway opened in 1937 after 18 years of construction, it was one of the most inaccessible parts of the country.
Landslides regularly close the highway; a large slide at Mud Creek blocked it in May 2017. Check road conditions before you drive.