Top things to do on the property and nearby
Post Ranch Inn is an adults-only clifftop resort in Big Sur with on-site highlights including Sierra Mar restaurant, three outdoor pools (two heated cliffside infinity 'basking' pools and a meadow lap pool), a full-service Post Ranch Spa, and daily complimentary activities like guided nature walks and morning yoga. Nearby options include Pfeiffer Beach, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Bixby Creek Bridge, and scenic drives to McWay Falls.
In this guide
On-property highlights
The property sits roughly 1,200 feet above the Pacific along Highway 1 and focuses on quiet, adults-only experiences. Complimentary daily breakfast, valet parking, concierge assistance, and access to resort activities are included with overnight stays.
Key on-site amenities include Sierra Mar (the resort restaurant), The Post Ranch Spa, a 24-hour Fitness Center with Peloton bikes, and three outdoor pools with 24-hour access.
- Complimentary daily breakfast (exclusive to overnight guests)
- Three outdoor pools: two heated cliffside 'basking' infinity pools and one meadow lap/swimming pool
- The Post Ranch Spa with five treatment rooms and a Redwood Sanctuary couples suite
- 24-hour Fitness Center with Peloton bikes and weights
- Valet and self-parking included; free Wi‑Fi
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pools | Two cliffside heated pools kept near 104°F and a separate lap pool; open 24 hours |
| Spa | Open daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; offers in‑suite and deck treatments |
| Activities | Complimentary yoga, guided nature walks, garden tours, falconry sessions (scheduled) |
Rooms, private decks and special accommodations
Guestrooms and suites are designed to take advantage of forest or ocean views; every room features one king bed and all guestroom types are limited to two persons. Popular room names include Upper Pacific Suite, Lower Pacific Suite, Ocean House Northern, Tree House, Upper Butterfly Room, and Upper Coast House Ocean View Room — among others.
Many rooms have private decks or outdoor soaking tubs and some offer direct ocean vistas from terraces. The Post House is the property's one private home with an outdoor soaking tub, a chef's kitchen, and a firepit for private stays or small events.
- All rooms: one king bed, no in-room televisions, non-smoking (smoking allowed on decks per listings)
- Post House: one-bedroom private home with outdoor soaking tub and kitchen
- Room occupancy limited to two people; minimum check-in age is 18
| Example room | Feature |
|---|---|
| Upper Pacific Suite | Cliffside terrace and large ocean-view spaces |
| Ocean House Northern | Green-roof cottages with ocean-view decks |
| Tree House | Cantilevered rooms among redwoods with forest decks |
Dining at Sierra Mar
Sierra Mar is Post Ranch Inn's signature restaurant on-site, known for ingredient-driven, farm-to-table Californian cuisine and an awarded wine list. Breakfast there is complimentary and exclusive to overnight guests; lunch and dinner are open to the public with reservations.
Dinner is served as a daily-changing four-course prix fixe menu plus a nine-course Taste of Big Sur tasting menu. Outdoor heated patio seating and floor-to-ceiling windows provide ocean views from much of the dining room.
- Breakfast (exclusive to overnight guests) — served daily
- Lunch — available to guests and the public (reservations recommended)
- Dinner — reservations required; offers prix fixe and tasting menu options
- Wine list has received Wine Spectator recognition
| Meal | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (guests only) | 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| Lunch | 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
| Dinner | 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Spa, wellness and fitness
The Post Ranch Spa operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and features five treatment rooms, a couples 'Redwood Sanctuary' suite, and a facial room. Signature offerings include the Post Ranch Signature Massage, Couples Massage, Sound Healing Journey, and Shamanic Energy Medicine.
Many spa treatments can be booked for in‑room or on private decks when available. The on-site Fitness Center is open 24 hours and includes Peloton bikes, cardio machines, and free weights.
- Spa hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; reservations recommended
- Signature services: Post Ranch Signature Massage, Sound Healing Journey, Shamanic Energy Medicine
- Fitness Center: open 24 hours with Peloton bikes and strength equipment
| Service type | Options |
|---|---|
| Couples treatments | Redwood Sanctuary or in‑suite offerings |
| Sound healing & energy work | Group and individual sessions |
| In‑room services | Many treatments available on private decks or inside rooms |
Pools, soaking tubs and outdoor relaxation
Post Ranch Inn provides three outdoor pools: two heated cliffside infinity 'basking' pools often kept near 104°F and a separate lap/swimming pool in a meadow setting. Pool access is available 24 hours a day for registered guests.
Many suites and select rooms include private outdoor soaking tubs or terraces where guests can relax with ocean or forest views. Guests should follow any current onsite guidance about pool areas and clothing policies; guest reports note clothing-optional use is rare.
- Three pools total: two cliffside heated pools and one meadow lap pool
- Pool hours: open 24 hours for registered guests
- Private soaking tubs are available in select suites and the Post House
| Pool | Setting |
|---|---|
| Cliffside 'basking' pools | Infinity-edge ocean views; kept near 104°F |
| Meadow lap pool | Sunny meadow setting for swimming |
| Private tubs | Select suites and Post House terraces |
Guided activities and wildlife experiences
Complimentary resort activities include morning yoga, forest meditation, guided nature walks, birdwatching (binoculars provided), and an edible Chef's Garden tour. Billy's Trail is a short self-guided hike on the property that guests can walk alone or with a guide.
A scheduled Falconry Experience led by a master falconer is available, featuring several birds of prey. Seasonal whale watching and art walks are offered at times — check with the concierge for current schedules and booking.
- Complimentary offerings: yoga, meditation, guided hikes, garden tours
- Billy's Trail: self-guided walk across the property
- Falconry Experience: scheduled program with birds of prey (advance sign-up)
| Activity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Billy's Trail | Self-guided trail through the property |
| Falconry Experience | Guided sessions; advance sign-up required |
| Whale watching | Seasonal; inquire at concierge for sightings and timing |
Nearby beaches, parks and scenic drives
Post Ranch Inn sits on Highway 1 with direct access to many Big Sur landmarks by short drives. Pfeiffer Beach and its Keyhole Arch are about a 10-minute drive away; Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is within walking distance (about a 15-minute walk per the property), and McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is roughly a 30-minute drive south.
Other nearby destinations include Bixby Creek Bridge (about a 23-minute drive north), Point Sur Lighthouse (roughly 10 miles), Andrew Molera State Park, Partington Cove, and the Henry Miller Memorial Library and Hawthorne Gallery within easy driving or walking distance. A rental car or private transport is recommended to reach these sites and to allow flexibility on Highway 1.
- Pfeiffer Beach (Keyhole Arch) — ~10-minute drive
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park — ~15-minute walk
- McWay Falls (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park) — ~30-minute drive
- Bixby Creek Bridge — ~23-minute drive
- Henry Miller Memorial Library and Hawthorne Gallery — within about 1–1.5 miles
| Place | Typical travel time from the inn |
|---|---|
| Pfeiffer Beach | About 10 minutes by car |
| McWay Falls | Roughly 30 minutes by car |
| Bixby Creek Bridge | About 23 minutes by car |
