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Big Sur River Inn

Name: Big Sur River Inn
Address: 46800 Highway One, Big Sur, US

★★★·8.4/ 10Recommended

·Inns

Offsite parking discounted rates availableSwimming poolFamily roomsParkingFence around poolFire extinguishersAll 19 facilities +

Review

Guest scores & sentiment

From 80 guest reviews · multi-source · as of 2026-07-22

Guests praise the river views, unique ambiance, and restaurant food. Major complaints include outdated rooms lacking fridges/AC, poor hygiene (odors/stains), high prices with low value, weak Wi-Fi, and noise issues.

Dimension scores · cross-source

Location8.8

Service8.0

Rooms7.9

Cleanliness7.9

Facilities7.6

Wi-Fi7.4

Surroundings7.2

Value6.6

＋ PraisedBeautiful river views and peaceful ambiance · Friendly and accommodating staff · Delicious restaurant food · Great location near attractions

－ ComplaintsOutdated facilities and cleanliness issues · No microwave or mini fridge · Poor Wi-Fi connectivity · Noise and poor soundproofing

KEYSuitable for nature lovers seeking river views. Expect outdated amenities, high prices, and confirm fridge availability.

Guest reports describe individual stays. Confirm important facilities, benefits and arrival arrangements with the hotel.

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Dining

Aubergine

Contemporary, Californian · ★★ Michelin

$$$$

Easygoing luxury and refinement strike a harmonious note within L’Auberge Carmel, where every element seems designed to delight. Chef Justin Cogley balances classic technique with a sleek, modern aesthetic, and his cooking captures a sense of place that feels wholly his own. Products of spectacular quality are prepared skillfully and painstakingly presented with an artistic eye, as in a surprising "cabbage" taco filled with shallot jam, Madeira-braised treviso, Kaluga queen caviar and cabbage chips. The hits keep coming, like the rice roulade with Dungeness crab finished in a white dashi and b

33.2km

Chez Noir

Contemporary, Seafood · ★ Michelin

$$$$

Jonny and Monique Black are the force behind this charming spot, where he acts as Chef and she oversees the service team. While the two have an abundance of fine dining bona fides, here they aim for something more approachable. The inviting, hospitable atmosphere makes perfect sense, given that the second floor of this Craftsman-style residence is where the pair makes their home. The cooking has a broadly Mediterranean sensibility, showcasing the bounty of the California coast with the likes of impeccably prepared abalone and skate. A prix fixe format gives diners a handful of choices, but the

33.5km

Sierra Mar

Californian, Contemporary

$$$$

Poised on the brink of a rocky seaside bluff in Big Sur, the vantage here gives unbeatable sweeping views of the Pacific coast, thanks to a panoply of floor-to-ceiling windows. Housed inside the Post Ranch Inn, the breathtaking location calls out for romantic celebrations like honeymoons or anniversaries, while the rustic modern décor and friendly service promote comfort and calm. Stunning vistas aside, an ingredient-driven tasting menu offers a bounty of California seasonality, from Monterey abalone congee to guinea hen with honeypatch squash, vadouvan curry and pickled sultanas. Lunch presen

5.6km

Yafa

Mediterranean Cuisine, Middle Eastern · Bib

This clear hit among locals has even spread to tourists—everyone comes back time and again. The owners bring hospitality to a new level, thanks to a jovial greeting and warm farewells that may involve a hug from the owner. The smell of roasting meats entices passersby with the promise of their excellent kebabs, like deliciously charred yet tender chicken skewered with tomatoes. The Aleppo kafta, combining ground beef and lamb, is richly seasoned and perfectly paired with a side of zippy tzatziki. Be sure to begin any meal with an enormous plate of their mezze, heaped with minty cucumber and to

33.4km

Maligne

Californian · Bib

$$$

The name means “clever” or “cunning,” but you don’t have to be a particularly sharp tool to appreciate the ample charms of this hip, easygoing Seaside gem. The staff is effortlessly hospitable, and the breezy space has a chic loft aesthetic, but it’s the cooking that really makes this place a coup de coeur. The menu draws on Italian-American and French classics (think chicken parm and asparagus with hollandaise), but the feel is thoroughly Californian, with a light, contemporary touch and spectacular local ingredients that make even all-too familiar dishes like Caesar salad memorable—a testame

37.9km

Lucia Restaurant & Bar

Californian, Seasonal Cuisine

$$$

This dining room in the luxe Bernardus Lodge & Spa boasts its own garden, which provides many of the superb ingredients, and is proof of the kitchen’s dedication to local and seasonal food. It might show a talent and focus on vegetables, but highlights from the nightly menu as well as à la carte may include brilliantly tender lamb, served as medallions of deboned ribeye with rosemary jus on a bed of sautéed greens.There is a casual feel to the upscale lodge-like interior, with its large fireplace and muted colors. It's located just off the lobby but draws diners from well beyond mere hotel gue

26.1km

La Bicyclette

European

$$$

La Bicyclette remains the quintessential neighborhood bistro in the heart of charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. The quirky corner space, filled with petite wooden tables, hanging copper pots and the occasional bicycle, continues to feel warmly lived-in and unmistakably local. The kitchen balances California seasonality with Mediterranean and French influences, alongside wood-fired pizzas and excellent breads from the oven. Classic bistro comforts still shine through in dishes like steak au poivre with peppercorn cognac sauce and pommes frites, while seafood offerings such as pan-seared fresh catch wi

33.1km

Akaoni

Japanese, Sushi

$$$

Akaoni remains one of the region’s most rewarding sushi counters, even if securing a seat can feel like a minor triumph. With only a handful of seats, limited operating hours and a tiny staff overseeing the entire operation, the atmosphere is resolutely no frills, allowing the focus to remain squarely on the fish. A chef’s choice platter offers a reliable introduction, though regulars know to pay close attention to the daily specials board, where pristine seasonal seafood often shines brightest. Local spot prawns served directly from the tank remain a highlight, while carefully cut nigiri cons

33.3km

Click a row to locate it · distances are approximate. Data from Overture / Michelin / Wikidata.

Big Sur River Inn

Guest scores & sentiment

Room types · 5

Deluxe Suite ADA

Suite with River View

Queen Room with Two Queen Beds

Queen Room

Deluxe Family Room

Facilities · 19

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