Ripplewood Resort Big Sur

The Ripplewood Resort Big Sur in central California, offers travelers to this once bohemian refuge for big city writers and artists, an escape under centuries old redwoods and gnarled oaks.

You might plan a visit here in the spring when winter rains bring renewed energy to the usually placid Big Sur River that winds it's way down past this resort to the Pacific Ocean a short distance away.

The Meandering Big Sur River

17 Cabins In the Hills and Right By The Big Sur River

If you have traveled to the Big Sur Coast looking for a romantic and rustic destination where your pocketbook isn't emptied up by a one night stay at the Ventana Inn or the Post Ranch Inn, then the cabins at Ripplewood Resort just might make be a good suggestion for your short list.

In 1920 this area used to be known as the Old Coast Trail. The new highway was completed in 1938 and was built by prisioners from San Quentin near San Francisco.

Trip Advisor awarded the Ripplweood Resort Big Sur the Certificate of Excellence in 2013 and in 2014.

Nestled into the hilsides above the Big Sur Highway one side and on the banks of the Big Sur river on the other, these 1930 ish era cabins with knotty pine walls and small kitchenettes, are rustic and worn, but somehow most who stay here don't seem to care. They come here to relax, and they favor the sounds of a gurgling stream at night while you sleep and the romantic crackling and popping of a wood fire in a pot bellied stove.

Wake up here in the morning and step outside just off your deck. Take a long look at the ancient redwoods and twisted oaks that seem to be everywhere you look, and your senses become alive and you begin to feel what relaxation actually feels like and why the locals call this home.

Most of these cabins at Ripplewood Resort Big Sur have decks and fire pits in front of the main front deck for roasting marshmellows and smores in the evening. The cabins here are well spaced to allow for your privacy and are much nicer than others in Big Sur where the cabins are newer and have more amenities but are packed pretty close together.

There is a small grocery store and cafe and lots of beautiful flowers in planter boxes filled with summer flowers and pink hydrangeas. There is no WiFi in the cabinsbut so what ...you came her to get away so use the wifi in the cafe if there is an emergency.

These cabins are affordable compared to most other accommodations in Big Sur, but be sure to book ahead at least 6 months in advance to get the cabin of your choice.

Romance Right Along The Rivers Edge!

Nine of the cabins or "cottages" as they are called in the resort map, are set perfectly along the Big Sur River. These have been described as cute, charming, rustic, but they have location, location and location.

These are the most preferred cabin/cottages:

Cabin #2-Right on the waters edge
Cabin #3-Has an an outdoor fire pit.The showers are small and some cabins seem to have a musty aroma but I guess that happens when these cabins get to be almost a hundred years old.
Cabin #7- One of the first built in 1925
Cabin #9 If you get a chance to stay here, you will have the added benefit of a glass ceiling where the trees become part of your living room
Cabin #16- Across the highway but this cabin was set for a refreshed design when I was last here
Cabin Duplex !2A or 12B- Avoid these if you can. No kitchenette and very thin walls and lack of privacy

Deer and turkeys are often seen foraging among the river cabins and are friendly to visitors especially if you happend to have a granola bar in your pocket.

Ripplewood Resort Big Sur ... What Should I BringTo This Rustic Escape?

Since a hamburger in Big Sur will set you back about $15 and a full meal at a nice restaurant will likely total $100 or more for two, the savings of cooking your own simple meals or cooking over the firepit flames here is a smart plan.

While each of the cabins here have the basic pots and pans, silverware and general cooking supplies, if makes good sense to bring your own towels, spices and maybe some fireword. You might also bring some bug spay in case you get easily unnerved by a small bug or two.

If you do venture out be sure not to miss the best of Big Sur.