Big Sur with stretches of scenic beauty along the winding Route 1
`Big
Sur' is derived from the Spanish 'el sur grande', meaning 'the big south'.
Named by early Monterey settlers, the southern coastal area is imposing
but treacherous to ships.
Although the region includes many state parks, the Big Sur region covers
a much larger area of central California, occupying roughly 143 km (89
miles) of the Pacific coastline.
The magnificent coastal scenery of jagged cliffs, pristine beaches,
precarious bridges, lofty emerald hills, forests and hot springs has been
a beloved landmark for Californians since it was discovered in 1872.
In addition to the many stunning hikes, cycle trails and other abundant
outdoor facilities available here, there are also beautiful cliff-side
hotels and restaurants. Famous actors have found solace here, as have
hippies, naturalists, authors, artists and dot com millionaires.
One of the interesting sites in Big Sur is Hearst Castle. Built from the
amassed fortunes of George Hearst, a wealthy miner, the ranch originally
known as 'Camp Hill' was used for relaxing getaways for the billionaire
and his friends. Hearst commissioned famed San Francisco architect Julia
Morgan in 1919 to 'build a little something'. Hearst and Morgan's
collaboration, destined to become one of the world's greatest showpieces
constructed on a rocky perch was renamed 'La Cuesta Encantada', or The
Enchanted Hill. By 1947, Hearst and Morgan had created an estate of 165
rooms with more than 50 ha (127 acres) of gardens, terraces, pools and
walkways.
The estate's magnificent main house, the 38 bedroom 'Casa Grande', and
three neighboring guest houses, are built in Mediterranean Revival style,
with the imposing towers inspired by a Spanish cathedral. This eclectic
blend of architectural styles combined with the surrounding land, and
Hearst's superb European and Mediterranean art collection created what
world-renowned architectural historian, John Julius Norwich called 'a
palace in every sense of the word'. Now open to visitors it is a treat
strolling through these luscious grounds and living vicariously through
the Hearst family, imagining that this is a palace that you could call
your own.
