driving from los angeles to san francisco via the pacific highway was a highlight of our trip back in the spring. we weren’t well-prepared, so we didn’t really know when and where to stop to take in the view, but at one of the viewpoints a lovely couple told us to turn back for mcway creek in big sur. and boy are we glad we did – or we would have missed the pristine little beach with waterfall on one side of the cliff, and the whale sightings on the other. if there is one place i want to return for further exploring, it’s undeniably big sur.

photos by stephanie duval