In lieu of an extended family vacation this year, we decided to break up this summer into a bunch of “mini-cations” around Central and Northern California.
It’s been working out well — we’ve made it to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Shasta, Lake Folsom, the Sonoma Wine Country, Gilroy, CA, and lots of little trips in and around the city of San Francisco. Next, we head north to Bolinas and Inverness, CA.
But one of the true highlights of the summer so far were the days we spent creekside at Fernwood Resort in Big Sur. High up in the heavens of spectacular Big Sur, in the midst of a redwood forest, this resort offers a spectrum of lodging possibilities from motel rooms, “adventure” tents, meadow view cabins, and a 60-unit campground with sites dotting along the Big Sur River.
On the lush, fragrant premises is the Redwood Grill Restaurant with a rustic, outdoor patio, the General Store, and the Tavern where we rocked out one night to ‘70s tunes with the Billy Martini Show and his dedicated fans that got all dolled up for the occasion. Retro hilarity.
Fernwood has access to hiking trails in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, swimming in the Big Sur River, horseshoes, and a volleyball court. And, when we were there it was amazingly free of pesky mosquitos!
We opted to camp, not my preferred way to spend an evening, but due to a late cancellation we got styled with a really cool spot just a few feet from a shallow part of the creek, ideal for little kids.
The Grill is open everyday with a full bar, spacious lounge area with free wi-fi, big screen television, welcoming hearth, and a quirky local staff.
Insider Tip: Do yourself a solid when you come up here and make a stop at the Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant. The breakfast pizza is absolutely otherworldly.
Fernwood Resort
(831) 667-2422
Photos and post by Lisa Dion of Friscomama.