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96 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 Carmel-by-the-Sea | San Carlos & 7th | Open from 12 noon Daily | 831.626.WINE (9463) Estate Winery | 1972 Hobson Ave., Greenfield | Open from 11 am Daily | 831.386.0316 SCHEIDVINEYARDS.COM E X P E R I E N C E O U R T A S T I N G R O O M S D I S C O V E R D E L I C I O U S T he people of Big Sur are a tight- ly woven community, true; it's equally valid that visitors are delightfully welcomed. There's plenty to see and do: horseback riding, surfing, biking, and miles of hiking trails rewarded with spectacular vistas for the adventur- ous. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a nearly 4,000-acre gem that features 2,500-year-old redwoods and the spectacular McWay Falls. Located at the mouth of the Big Sur River, Andrew Molera State Park offers walk- in campsites and secluded beaches. A more pampering experience in mind? Big Sur won't disappoint. Treebones Resort is a unique lodging concept, featuring yurts and camping in a "human nest." Luxury accommodations await at Ventana Inn and Spa and at Post Ranch Inn; each offers full-service spas. Both resorts boast world-class dining, as do the Big Sur Bakery, Deetjen's Big Sur Inn and the Big Sur Roadhouse. More casual—yet no less innova- tive—dining options include Nepenthe and Fernwood Bar and Grill. A great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon is by grabbing a table at The River Inn, listening to music while dipping one's toes in the cool waters of the Big Sur River. Cultural enlightenment abounds: Henry Miller Library celebrates the life and work of one of Big Sur's most famous residents. Situated among the redwoods, the Library hosts events such as the Big Sur Short Film Festival and several con- certs during the summer season. The world-famous Esalen Institute is a spiritual retreat where visitors come to relax, meditate and become enlightened through the more than 500 workshops offered each year. Art galleries like the Hawthorne Gallery, the Coast Gallery and the Dome Studio feature works by local artists. The Heartbeat Gift Gallery and the Phoenix Shop are both chock-a-block with eclectic offerings that let visitors take home a piece of Big Sur. For more information on Big Sur, go to www.bigsurcalifornia.org. —Michael Chatf ield The Japanese Baths at Ventana Inn and Spa are just one of the ways guests are pampered in Big Sur. Photo: Kodiak Greenwood VISITING LAID-BACK BIG SUR: LEAVE THE STRESS BEHIND AND RELAX 090-098 Big Sur_152-161 Garcia story 4/25/14 9:25 PM Page 6