Mill Creek Picnic Area Beach(Mill Creek, Mill Inlet)

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Mill Inlet.  Sierra Mar is an upscale restaurant that serves incredible sandwiches, burgers, pasta, steaks, seafood, pork, poultry dishes, and desserts.   The Restaurant at River Inn Big Sur serves a delectable all-day menu including eggs, sandwiches, pancakes, rancheros, omelets, salads, soups, steaks, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and desserts.  Deetjen's Restaurant serves delicious meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  Cafe Kevah has an outdoor seating area and serves delicious burgers, sandwiches, salads, meat, seafood, poultry, and vegetarian dishes.  If you are looking for another affordable restaurant nearby, El Michoacano serves nachos, tacos, tortillas, burritos, and rice bowls.

If you are looking for a hotel near Mill Inlet, there are many great nearby options.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Alila Ventana Big Sur is 42 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a clothing-optional pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, a spa, a sauna, a library, and an on-site art gallery, and freebies include guided walks, wine and cheese receptions, yoga sessions, and Tai Chi classes.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star High Ridge Manor, which offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a game room, a popcorn machine, a wine cellar, a restaurant, and a complimentary breakfast.  Another moderately priced option is the oceanfront 4-Star Hyatt Carmel Highlands, which offers many amenities including a heated outdoor pool, three hot tubs, a fitness center, and a restaurant.   A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Ragged Point Inn & Resort, which has a few amenities, including a wine bar, an ice cream shop, and a restaurant.  If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Big Sur Lodge has a seasonal outdoor pool, an outdoor bar, an on-site general store, a coffee shop, and a restaurant.

Mill Inlet does not have lifeguards but offers a few other amenities, including a picnic area, a few picnic tables, a barbecue grill facility, and portable toilets.

Mill Inlet offers several fun activities, including sunbathing, beachcombing, watching wildlife, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and photography.  If you plan to go into the water near the beach, we recommend being careful, as the water here is known to have pounding waves and unpredictable rip currents.  If you enjoy surfing, it is a great place to go surfing due to its frequently windy weather.  Depending on the time of the year, visitors may spot many sea animals in the water near the beach, including dolphins, seals, sea lions, and migratory whales.  Anglers may catch a wide variety of fish in the waters near Mill Inlet Beach, including bass, croaker, yellow perch, and surfperch.  If you enjoy camping, you can book a nearby campsite that offers a wonderful camping experience.  It is worth noting that the Mill Creek Picnic Area is designated for day-use activities; overnight camping is not permitted here.  ​Hikers can explore the nearby trail, which offers unique insights into the local biodiversity.  The tranquil environment, rugged cliffs, and spectacular views make it a popular spot to take amazing beach photos.  Dogs are allowed on the beach if they are on a leash, and it is open from sunrise until sunset.

Mill Inlet does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Mill Inlet is easy - the beach has a small parking lot located near 65675-1 Cabrillo Highway 1, Big Sur, California 93920, United States, which provides easy access to the beach.  After parking, visitors have to walk down a rugged path leading down to the beach.

Interestingly, Mill Inlet is one of the few areas along the Big Sur coastline where visitors can drive down close to sea level. ​

There are many attractions near Mill Inlet.  Andrew Molera State Park is a scenic coastal park spread over 4,800 acres, known for its rugged beauty, diverse hiking trails, a redwood forest, and a beach.  Visitors can enjoy a variety of fun activities, including hiking, horseback riding, swimming, picnicking, wildlife watching, fishing, and camping.   The Limekiln Trail is a half-mile-long trail that meanders through the redwood forest of Limekiln State Park and crosses Limekiln Creek over three beautiful bridges to the site of four giant steel and stone lime kilns that originally provided lime used for mortar in San Francisco's brick buildings.  Visitors can still see the kilns that sit abandoned in this majestic forest of Big Sur.  Highbridge Falls - also known as Andrew Molera Falls - is a 40-foot-tall elusive waterfall located within Andrew Molera State Park, surrounded by a redwood forest offering Instagram-worthy views.

New Camaldoli Hermitage is a Camaldolese Benedictine monastery situated high on a ridge, providing breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.  It serves as an excellent location for individuals seeking a monastic life, spiritual retreats, and silent reflection.  This hermitage features a small public garden, a chapel, a bakery, and a bookstore.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Big Creek Cove Vista Point is an observation deck that offers Instagram-worthy views of the cliffs, Big Creek Cove, and Big Creek Bridge, especially during sunrises and sunsets.