1/5

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

Exclusive PressBeyond Benefits

Get to where you see yourself

Ultra-clean, global, hand-picked hotel curation & imagery designed to help you visualize enticing environments and the elevated social experiences they create

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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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

1,922 reviews

"If you are reading this and thinking about doing a proposal at Post Ranch Inn, just do it!! Post Ranch was literally the best hotel experience we've ever had, and it made our engagement so special. The property is unreal - I'd made some plans to leave the property over the course of the weekend, and we ended up just not leaving the property because it was so stunning! Derek was exceptional and went above and beyond to make everything feel seamless, thoughtful, and special. He was incredibly helpful throughout the process. (The bench spot for the proposal also works really well - it was secluded and felt like our own private area.) The entire staff was amazing as well - really warm, attentive, and welcoming. Post Ranch is one of those rare places that fully lives up to the hype and then exceeds it. We will definitely be back!!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 18, 2026

"We had never been to Big Sur and tend to gravitate toward higher-end, couples-oriented resorts. We've stayed at Hermitage Bay in Antigua, Kura in Costa Rica, and Sugar Beach in St. Lucia, and Post Ranch Inn compares extremely favorably to all of them — probably most similar to Hermitage Bay in terms of quality of service and atmosphere. With that being said, my wife and I stayed at Post Ranch Inn for four days in mid-March. It was an exceptional experience. We stayed in one of the Northern Ocean rooms and had complete privacy. It also had 180-degree views of the ocean, which were just incredible. At night, it's so dark you can see the stars perfectly. For activities, we hiked a little but also did yoga a couple of days, the very relaxing myofascial ball program, and the incredibly cool sound experience — sort of a combination of meditation and sound therapy. Absolutely incredible. We ate three nights at the restaurant and the food was always good. I would have liked a slightly larger menu, but everything was excellent. I noticed some people complain about the lack of modernity in the rooms, but they are absolutely perfect for the setting. They blend in naturally, much more so than any newer type of building would. Wi-Fi worked great, and there were no TVs to distract you. We had a soaking tub on our back deck and used it daily to watch for whales and just take in the beautiful ocean views. The staff was incredible and always friendly. Be sure to take advantage of the Lexus loaner program.We used the Lexus convertible for an afternoon and drove to McWay Falls, then to Partington Cove, where we went through the tunnel to see where they loaded ships in the early 1900s. We also went to Pfeiffer Beach, which is absolutely incredible — although the drive on the narrow road back there can be a little harrowing at times. Very much worth it, but be sure to bring a jacket as it's quite windy. Also, be sure to see Julia and take the farm tour. It was really cool, and we had her all to ourselves. We bombarded her with questions and she was great about it. Hearing her vision of what she wants the farm to be was quite cool. Highly recommend, and we will be back. One last thing — the pools were all heated to what seemed like 99 degrees, making it a piece of cake to get in. They were generally deserted, with no more than a couple of people there at a time."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 13, 2026

"Absolutely incredible experience. Purchased the engagement package and proposed to my fiance on Valentine’s Day on the property. Derek was amazing in helping me work out all the details and even helped with taking a video from his personal cell phone which was not included in the package. The property is beautiful and the entire weekend was magical. Highly recommend!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 12, 2026

"I have been to some of the nicest hotels and resorts around the world and Post Ranch Inn is still my favorite. The rooms, the service, the restaurant, the grounds, pools and views - they can't be beat. The rooms are pricey but the value is so there. You're not just staying in a room. You're having an experience when you stay at Post Ranch Inn. I look forward to my next visit. Big Sur is heaven and this is the sweetest slice."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 12, 2026

"Absolutely beyond description in every possible way. Totally stunning property, maintenance, service, offerings, top to bottom amazing. So often luxury experiences are a total goof for people who want to feel rich. Post Ranch Inn made us feel special, and helped us appreciate how special the world can be."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 11, 2026

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Post Ranch Inn | Best Design-Driven Stays in Big Sur