Explore Big Sur, CA: Chapter 5: The North American Manufacturing Core

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Big Sur is mostly known for its gorgeous views, amazing hikes, great camping, and natural hot springs with beautiful resorts; where many people escape from their busy lives for a rest and relax vacation. Big Sur is often seen as a retreat for many artists, writers, and nature lovers. The "town" itself is very small and mostly gets vistiors due to Highway 1. There are approximatly nine grocery stores, seven gas stations and a few gift shops scattered along the length of Highway 1.

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Manufacturing in Big Sur

Today, the tan bark, lumber and limestone industries have ceased. Gold is still mined on a limited basis in the Los Burros region and a few trees are harvested along the coast. Ranching continues as the major use of the large private holdings and contributes much to the character of Big Sur. Public recreation and private residential development are by far the strongest land use trends today.Single family residences comprise a major developed land use on private land. This occurs either in rural residential clusters in areas where development has historically been concentrated or scattered along Highway One. Many of the larger parcels are used for cattle grazing. Commercial uses, including restaurants, grocery stores and service stations are generally concentrated in the Big Sur Valley, Gorda and a few isolated businesses along Highway One. Recreational uses include public and private campgrounds, visitor accommodations, restaurants, State Park units and the Los Padres National Forest.
http://www.bigsurhomes.com/big_sur_development_history.htm

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While Big Sur is not known for its manufacturing, we can still see the effects Highway 1 has had on the region. Highway 1 expanded the economic growth of Big Sur as well as the surrounding cities of Monterey, and Carmel. Before Highway 1, many people could not reach Big Sur safely, afterwards travel greatly increased and now millions of people from around the United States come to see Big Sur's Landmarks. Currently there is little manufacturing in Big Sur, because it is mainly known for its wide open spaces, highly priced vacation homes, and natural landmarks.

TRANSPORTATION IN BIG SUR:

There is one public bus that goes through Big Sur, the Monterey-Salinas Transit Route 22. The bus route is active daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day and weekends only the rest of the year. It goes from downtown Monterey to Big Sur and back four times a day, stopping at several state parks, the Big Sur River Inn, and Nepenthe. During the winter and spring, the bus is sometimes canceled due to bad weather.

Private driving along Highway 1 is the most common mode of transportation.

Bicycling along Highway 1 is also popular, though challenging.

Much of the interior areas of the region are only accessible via hiking.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Big_Sur

Natural Landmarks in Big Sur: