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Post Ranch Inn

Big Sur • Post Ranch • OVER THE TOP

avg. $1,805 / night

Includes $95 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

I Prefer property

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Location

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At a glance

Cliffside rooms by architect Mickey Muennig with floor-to-ceiling Pacific views and Sierra Mar's geometric dining room.

Best for: Architecture enthusiasts and nature-immersed travelers

Highlights:

  • Mickey Muennig–designed rooms built into cliffside, minimizing land disturbance
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame 1,200-foot Pacific drop
  • Sierra Mar restaurant with round log columns and full-height glazing
Clifftop-minimalistimmersive

PB hotel design editorial

Clinging to a cliff edge above the Pacific on California's Highway 1, where the Santa Lucia Mountains drop almost vertically into the sea, a collection of redwood and glass structures designed by architect Mickey Muennig in 1992 established what Post Ranch Inn would become: a template for environmentally embedded luxury that no amount of subsequent imitation has quite replicated. Muennig, a Big Sur local trained under Paolo Soleri, positioned the property's 39 rooms and suites — some built into the hillside, others elevated on stilts above it — to disturb as little of the coastal scrub and old-growth forest as possible, a constraint that generated the design rather than limiting it. Inside, the rooms carry the warmth of a well-worn cabin taken to its logical extreme: exposed redwood ceilings with deep board-and-batten detailing, concrete or slate floors, and custom copper-hooded fireplaces that anchor each space without overwhelming it. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls dissolve the boundary between interior and the 1,200-foot drop beyond, while built-in window seats and dark leather furniture keep the atmosphere grounded rather than vertiginous. The restaurant, Sierra Mar, uses the same structural vocabulary — round log columns, slatted redwood ceilings, full-height glazing — to frame one of the most geographically arresting dining rooms on the California coast. The clifftop pool, edged in irregular fieldstone, continues that conversation between human making and coastal geology that defines the entire property.

Travel notes

3hr drive from San Fancisco; 2hr drive from San Jose; 3hr 30min drive from Napa; 45min drive from Carmel / Montery; 4hr 30min drive from Santa Barbara; 6hr 30min drive from Los Angeles

About

Welcome to Post Ranch Inn, your Big Sur “home away from home.” Post Ranch Inn aims to make your visit as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, which is why so many guests continue to come back year after year. Given the close proximity to Seal Beach Scenic Overlook (2.7 mi), guests of Post Ranch Hotel can easily experience one of Big Sur's most popular landmarks. Rooms at Post Ranch Hotel provide air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a minibar, and guests can stay connected with free wifi. In addition, while staying at Post Ranch Inn guests have access to a concierge and room service. You can also enjoy a pool and free breakfast. Need a place to park? Free parking is available at Post Ranch Hotel. Travelers looking to enjoy some crab can head to Sierra Mar, The Sur House, or Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant. Looking to explore? Then look no further than Hawthorne Gallery (0.9 mi), which is a popular Big Sur attraction – and it is conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel. Post Ranch Inn puts the best of Big Sur at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.

Amenities

Restaurant

Pool

Internet

Room service

Free Internet

Free Parking

Wifi

Free Wifi

Fitness center

Suites

Post Ranch Inn Reviews

1,937 reviews

"Post Ranch Inn gave us the most magical engagement experience we could have imagined. From the breathtaking views to every thoughtful detail, it truly felt like something out of a dream. Derek was incredible, he coordinated with me and photographer to make the proposal feel effortless and intimate, while still keeping every surprise perfectly in place. The champagne toast immediately after the proposal was such a special touch and gave us a moment to soak everything in together while overlooking the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Every part of the experience felt warm, personal, and unforgettable. I highly recommend Post Ranch Inn - we cannot wait to come back and relive the magic."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 22, 2026

"Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! One of the best hotel stays we have ever experienced, and we have travelled extensively around the world. We stayed at Post Ranch Inn to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and every single detail exceeded expectations. The level of service was second to none: warm, attentive, thoughtful, and completely effortless from start to finish. The setting is simply breathtaking, with unforgettable views overlooking the Pacific Coast that make it hard to leave the property. Everything about the experience felt peaceful, luxurious, and incredibly special. It’s rare to find a place that lives up to the hype, but Post Ranch Inn surpassed it in every way. We genuinely cannot wait to return."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 22, 2026

"We love Post Ranch so much we come a few times a year. Post Ranch is truly a piece of heaven, it makes you slow down and really enjoy what the property and rooms have to offer. Besides the beauty of Post Ranch it’s truly the people that make it more amazing. Tim is truly fabulous, he is so genuine and cares about your stay and making the most of it. He will go the extra mile to make it even more special and he always does. JC truly cares about his guest and giving them a wonderful time. He makes the most fabulous drinks with true intention and detail. It’s truly an experience. Hands down best bartender! Tom is one of a kind he wants your dining experience to be a journey. Each course is truly thought through with so much detail. You will want to request him. Thank you Post Ranch The Prouty’s"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 18, 2026

"An unforgettable stay at the Post Ranch Inn. The experience is pure quiet luxury — ultra peaceful, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every angle. The design is simple, sustainable, and deeply elegant, using beautiful natural materials that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Every need was thoughtfully and meticulously anticipated. The forest trails are gorgeous, and the infinity soaking spas overlooking the ocean are absolutely magical. A rare place that feels both grounding and transcendent."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 13, 2026

"Such a beautiful stay, and wonderful experience from start to finish. We came here for a (surprise) proposal, and our main point of contact, Derek, was such a phenomenal part of planning and execution. Working with him was such a pleasure. Everything in the room and around the property seemed thoughtfully taken care of, to create such an inviting experience. 10 out of 10, such a haven - we hope to be back again soon !!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 09, 2026

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