John Little State Natural Reserve

Located to the south of the Esalen Institute, John Little State Natural Reserve is a 21-acre natural reserve in the Big Sur region. The state park has a narrow rock-and-sand beach that is situated below steep bluffs. This beach is currently closed to public access by the reserve authorities. John Little State Natural Reserve is located near 55420 Pacific Coast Highway.

John Little State Natural Reserve offers a unique opportunity to explore the vibrant blufftop coastal landscape around the meeting point of Lime Creek and the Pacific Ocean. The blufftop area of the state park also offers magnificent Instagram-worthy views of the ocean and the Big Sur coastline. The state reserve also has a cabin which was constructed in 1917 by renowned local conservationist Elizabeth Livermore. However, it is important to note that the reserve is currently closed to the general public and is rarely open to public visits. If you are looking for a beach with unrestricted recreational access, Limekiln State Park has an idyllic and easily accessible beach that is only a 20-minute drive from here.

There are many attractions near John Little State Natural Reserve within a 20-minute drive. Limekiln State Park has many hiking trails through which you can explore the vibrant landscape and the vivid biodiversity. The state park has a wide array of flora ranging from redwood trees to yucca plants and is also home to more than 200 bird species. In the 19th century, the state park area was used for processing limestone, and the state park still has lime kilns left from that period (Limekiln State Park gets its name from these lime kilns), which offer an interesting insight into the history of both the Big Sur region and California. Limekiln State Park also has a mesmerizing waterfall known as Limekiln Falls which offers some excellent Instagram-worthy photos. In addition, the state park also has a campground. Henry Miller Memorial Library is dedicated to the memory of the renowned author Henry Miller and also serves as a gallery and performance space, hosting many exciting events throughout the year (particularly between May and October) including film screenings, live music performances, the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series, and the Esalen Gazebo School Benefit. If you are looking for another attraction near John Little State Natural Reserve, New Camaldoli Hermitage has lush public gardens that offer a pleasant view of the Pacific Ocean.

There are many attractions near John Little State Natural Reserve within a 20-minute drive. Limekiln State Park has many hiking trails through which you can explore the vibrant landscape and the vivid biodiversity. The state park has a wide array of flora ranging from redwood trees to yucca plants and is also home to more than 200 bird species. In the 19th century, the state park area was used for processing limestone, and the state park still has lime kilns left from that period (Limekiln State Park gets its name from these lime kilns), which offer an interesting insight into the history of both the Big Sur region and California. Limekiln State Park also has a mesmerizing waterfall known as Limekiln Falls which offers some excellent Instagram-worthy photos. In addition, the state park also has a campground. Henry Miller Memorial Library is dedicated to the memory of the renowned author Henry Miller and also serves as a gallery and performance space, hosting many exciting events throughout the year (particularly between May and October) including film screenings, live music performances, the Big Sur International Short Film Screening Series, and the Esalen Gazebo School Benefit. If you are looking for another attraction near John Little State Natural Reserve, New Camaldoli Hermitage has lush public gardens that offer a pleasant view of the Pacific Ocean.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near John Little State Natural Reserve within a 20-minute drive. Nepenthe is a renowned upscale restaurant that offers a dining area with a pleasant view of the Big Sur coastline and serves delicious California cuisine with Mediterranean influences. In addition, the restaurant has hosted a number of famous actors, writers, and artists including Ernest Hemmingway, Clint Eastwood, and Man Ray. Big Sur Taphouse has a casual ambiance and serves an excellent array of bar foods including sandwiches, tacos, burgers, cheese-steaks, and hot wings. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near John Little State Natural Reserve, the modestly priced Big Sur Deli offers excellent sandwiches served in generous portions.

If you are looking for a hotel near John Little State Natural Reserve, there are many great nearby options within a 25-minute drive. The 5-Star Post Ranch Inn offers many amenities including a restaurant, a fitness center, a swimming pool, a spa with two infinity pools, complimentary breakfast, a car loaner facility, and complimentary classes for stargazing, yoga, and meditation. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Big Sur Lodge, which offers many amenities including a pool, a bar, a general store, a coffee shop, and a restaurant. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near John Little State Natural Reserve, the modestly priced 2-Star Lucia Lodge offers many amenities including a restaurant, a deck, a patio, complimentary breakfast, and a seasonal convenience store with a gift shop.