Notable lake · Monterey, California
Big Sur River
Big Sur River is a lake in Monterey, California.
Big Sur River: crowds and conditions
Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.
Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.
Best time to visit Big Sur River
Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.
Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.
Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.
Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.
How to reach Big Sur River — distance from nearby cities
Coordinates: 36.28190, -121.85920. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.
Places to visit near Big Sur River
- Andrew Molera State Park · sanctuary · Monterey · ~3 km · Must-see
- Point Sur State Historic Park · sanctuary · Monterey · ~6 km · Must-see
- Point Sur Lighthouse · sanctuary · Monterey · ~6 km · Must-see
- Pico Blanco · viewpoint · Monterey · ~7 km · Must-see
- Pfeiffer Beach · beach · Monterey · ~8 km · Must-see
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park · sanctuary · Monterey · ~10 km · Must-see
- Ventana Double Cone · viewpoint · Monterey · ~16 km · Must-see
- Garrapata State Park · sanctuary · Monterey · ~25 km · Must-see
- Anderson Peak · viewpoint · Monterey · ~28 km · Must-see
- Carmel Valley Community Park · park · Monterey · ~31 km · Must-see
- Garland Ranch Regional Park · park · Monterey · ~32 km · Must-see
- John Little State Natural Reserve · sanctuary · Monterey · ~34 km · Must-see
- Santa Lucia Preserve · sanctuary · Monterey · ~34 km · Must-see
- Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady and Saint Therese · church · Monterey · ~35 km · Must-see
- Point Lobos · sanctuary · Monterey · ~35 km · Must-see
- Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo · church · Monterey · ~37 km · Must-see
- Rana Creek Ranch Preserve · sanctuary · Monterey · ~37 km · Must-see
- Big Creek State Marine Reserve · sanctuary · Monterey · ~37 km · Must-see
Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near Big Sur River
- El Estero Lake · lake · Monterey · ~44 km · Must-see
- Pinto Lake · lake · Santa Cruz · ~94 km · Must-see
- Antonelli Pond · lake · Santa Cruz · ~96 km · Must-see
- San Felipe Lake · lake · Santa Clara · ~107 km · Must-see
- Uvas Reservoir · lake · Santa Clara · ~112 km · Must-see
- Loch Lomond · lake · Santa Cruz · ~117 km · Must-see
- Lake San Antonio · lake · Monterey · ~117 km · Must-see
- Hernandez Reservoir · lake · San Benito · ~117 km · Must-see
- Chesbro Reservoir County Park · lake · Santa Clara · ~118 km · Must-see
- Lake Elsman · lake · Santa Clara · ~118 km · Must-see
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
Frequently asked
Is Big Sur River full? Are the gates open?
No visitor has reported the water level status for Big Sur River yet. Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Busiest: Weekends and long holidays.
What is the best time to visit Big Sur River?
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open. Moderate; weekends busier.
What are the places to visit near Big Sur River?
Nearby: Andrew Molera State Park (sanctuary, 3 km), Point Sur State Historic Park (sanctuary, 6 km), Point Sur Lighthouse (sanctuary, 6 km), Pico Blanco (viewpoint, 7 km), Pfeiffer Beach (beach, 8 km), Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (sanctuary, 10 km).
Is Big Sur River worth visiting?
Big Sur River is listed as a notable lake in California on Spotwander.