Frequently Asked Questions
If you would like to apply for open positions at Fernwood, please click here to download an application and send the completed document to [email protected].
Also known as Highway 1, this highway runs from San Juan Capistrano south of Los Angeles to Leggett south of Eureka, where it merges with Highway 101. The highway is considered one of the longest and most unique in the country, and much of it runs along the coast. It’s known for its views of the Pacific Ocean, redwood trees, and wildlife.
To find out if there are closures or travel alerts on your desired route visit: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
Cell phone coverage is spotty in Big Sur but can be found at Fernwood Resort in parts of the campground, near the open meadow is best, and in the parking lot in front of the resort adjacent to Highway 1. Verizon & AT&T have cell phone towers in Big Sur. The towers are located south of us at the top of the grade leading out of the Big Sur valley. AT&T also has a cell phone tower at Point Sur which gives coverage in places with line of sight to the tower.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the Bar & Grill, Restaurant area.
Fernwood’s back deck is an ideal spot for your large party event.
Please email [email protected] for pricing and information.
Back deck dining
We generally do not take reservations. However, if you are coming with a party of 8 or more, you can give us a call at (831) 667-2129 and give us a heads up!
Distance to Fernwood from:
Carmel; 26 miles (45 minutes)
San Francisco; 147 miles (3 hours)
San Jose; 87 miles (2 hours)
Los Angeles; 300 miles (6-8 hours)
San Diego; 428 miles (8-10 hours)
Yosemite National Park; 217 miles (4-5 hours)
Hearst Castle; 64 miles (1 1/2-2 hours)
No, the tent cabins are just like camping. You need to bring your own sleeping bags, flashlights etc. There is no electricity or plumbing in the tent cabins. There is a double bed on the bottom bunk, a single bunk above and another single bed. There is a picnic table and a fire pit outside the tent cabins.
You can book reservations up to one year in advance to the day. For more information about our guest policies click here.
We ask all of our guests to respect the quiet hours from 10:00 PM until 8:00 AM. That means that we ask you to turn off any music and keep your voices low so that your neighbors can sleep.
Big Sur is a 90 mile stretch on Highway 1 from Carmel in the north and San Simeon to the south. Fernwood is located right in the middle of the Big Sur Valley where the majority of the shops, restaurants, galleries and resorts are located. For your convenience, we have created a Google map that you can use to create DIRECTIONS to Fernwood Resort from your location.
Yes, we are open all year. Big Sur is wonderful in every season. Springtime brings rolling green hills and amazing wildflower blooms. Summertime is for swimming in the river and hikes in the warm evenings. Fall delivers crisp clean days and cool nights around the campfire. Avoid the crowds, visit us in the winter and watch the whales migrating along the coast. It can be exciting and stormy or absolutely brilliant clear skies and warm in the sun.
Fernwood borders Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, so you can hike right into the park from here. Ask your friendly campground or store clerk for directions into the park and to the Buzzards Roost Trail. See our Local Hiking Trails page for hiking suggestions in the local State Parks.
You can access the beach about 3 miles north or south of us. To get to Andrew Molera Beach, drive north on Highway 1, from the parking lot, you will have to walk one mile to the beach. To get to Pfeifer Beach, drive south on Highway 1, about 2 miles, take the 2nd right after you pass the Big Sur Ranger Station, drive two miles down Sycamore Canyon Road to the beach.
Online reservations are now available. Call Fernwood directly at (831) 667-2422 for group reservations.
For summer reservations, between May 15th and September 15th, the following policies apply:
- To cancel a reservation, 14 days’ notice is required. You will receive a refund of your deposit minus the $25.00 cancellation fee, any change fees, and the $3.50 online booking fee (if applies). If we receive less than 14 days’ notice, your deposit is nonrefundable.
- To move a reservation to a new date, 14 days’ notice is required. If less than 14 days’ notice is given, it will be handled like a cancellation. Your deposit will be nonrefundable and a new reservation for the new dates will need to be made.
- To shorten the start date of a reservation, 14 days’ notice is required, and a single $25.00 change fee will be added to your invoice. With less than 14 days’ notice a $25.00 fee will be added for each day you shorten.
For reservations for all other dates the following policies apply:
- To cancel a reservation, 3 days’ notice is required, and you will receive a refund of your deposit minus the $25.00 cancellation fee, any change fees, and the $3.50 online booking fee (if applies). If we receive less than 3 days’ notice, your deposit is nonrefundable.
Camping / RV-Camping:
Check in: 12:00pm – 10:00pm (quiet time starts at 10:00pm)
Check out: 11:00am
Motel:
Check in: 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Check out: 11:00am
Cabins:
Check in: 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Check out: 11:00am
Tent Cabins & Adventure Tents:
Check in: 3:00pm – 10:00pm
Check out: 11:00am
*All guests must check in before 10:00pm
The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce posts Caltrans press releases and information about Highway 1 work and emergency closures in Big Sur that may be relevant to your travel plans. For the latest Highway 1 information visit their page here.
While the state of California has opened back up and COVID-19 restrictions have mostly been lifted, Covid is not gone completely and to keep our staff and guests safe we ask the following:
• Please continue to use the hand washing stations located in the front and back entrances to the restaurant.
• We ask that guests do not come to the property if they are feeling any symptoms associated with Covid-19 as identified by the CDC.
• Our employees are thoroughly trained on the safest, best practices following CDC guidelines for proper hygiene, cleaning and food handling.
• We are performing frequent disinfection cleanings in the restrooms, bathhouses and on frequently touched surfaces in the store and grill.
Let us remember that these protocols and procedures are put in place to protect our vulnerable friends, guests, our employees and their families. We are asking for your participation, cooperation and patience while we navigate these strange times.
Hand washing station posted near the back entrance to the pub, restaurant and deck, at the top of the stairs from the campground.
WE ASK THAT YOU LEAVE YOUR PETS AT HOME WHEN YOU ARE STAYING IN THE MOTEL, CABINS AND ADVENTURE TENTS.
We allow pets in the Campground, RV camping, and the Tent Cabins. Please keep your pet on a leash at all times and your pet should not be left unattended. You can even bring your pet to the grill, as long as you eat on the back deck.
OUR STAYS ARE OPEN TO ALL
We strive to provide an accessible facility that allows all visitors to take part in all our resort has to offer. Here are the details of our common areas and how they are accessible:
Restaurant: Our restaurant is accessible via a ramp that leads to the entrance. There is indoor seating accessible for wheelchairs.
General Store: The general store is wheelchair accessible via the ramp that leads to the restaurant.
Campground Public Restrooms: The main campground East Bath House has both men and women’s accessible toilets, along with an accessible unisex shower available as well.