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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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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

1,929 reviews

"Unfortunately for us, Post Ranch Inn was one of our first stops on an eight-day coastal road trip. Unfortunate because they set a standard no other property or restaurant was going to match. I knew that going in. It was still starker than I expected. Start with the property. When that is the view off your deck, why go anywhere else? Stunning doesn't cover it. We hiked much of the grounds and every turn delivered something new. The kind of place that makes you slow down without even trying. Then the restaurant. Everything was perfect — service, quality, execution. Much of the food sourced on property or from the surrounding community. My wife declared the salad the best she'd ever had. High praise for a salad. High praise, full stop. Special shout out to our server Yasmany and bartender Thomas — both exceptional. What struck me most was how effortless the entire staff made it look. These are people who deal with guests from around the world, all arriving with high expectations of a high-end experience. And yet nothing felt forced. Nobody appeared to be trying to impress us. It was just perfect service, perfectly delivered. That's the rarest thing in hospitality. Highlight of the trip. Hands down. And I suspect, never to be repeated."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 21, 2026

"We had the most magical elopement here that was impeccably orchestrated by our wedding planner. All of the communications with our wedding planner were so easeful and professional and all the details were carefully selected by me and my now husband. We absolutely loved our officiant who helped us craft a beautiful and personalized ceremony. I was able to have someone come to our room for hair and makeup and she was amazing too! Our photographers were equally amazing and we can't wait to get out photos back. The whole thing felt like a dream. I could not have prepared for how beautiful this whole experience was."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 20, 2026

"A place of beauty and serenity hugging the Big Sur cliff edge at 1,200 ft above sea-level, Post Ranch Inn is worth every penny - it is a place essentially that has not been developed (aside from the beautiful architectural accommodation) and you get a sense of stepping back in time to California as it was when it was just ranch country. Sitting on the bluff amongst wild flowers that blow in the quiet soft breeze (March was 80 degrees with limited fog), it is a magical experience that fills the soul and delights the senses. This charming retreat does not overplay its hand: it has remained true to itself, its history and its roots. Dine at the elegant Sierra Mar restaurant amongst locals and feel right at home. It is quiet elegance for people who seek inspiration, peace and quiet and reassurance that the world can be a beautiful place. Breath in the fresh air, watch the eagles sour and keep this magical memory forever. (S&J celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary)."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Apr 01, 2026

"My now fiancé :) planned an amazing weekend away to surprise me with a proposal at Post Ranch Inn. Not only was the property itself stunning, but the staff and events team went above and beyond to make this a special experience. From a floral room set up, a private cliffside proposal, dinner reservations, and transportation across the property, everything was catered to make the experience memorable. Social shout out to Derek for all his help upfront with my fiancé to plan such an unforgettable experience!"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 29, 2026

"The most amazing experience in Big Sur with elegance, tranquility, and everything that a dream California vacation can be."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

Mar 28, 2026

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