Welcome to your new home

The Deetjen Inn at Big Sur is one of my favorite destinations in California. It is not in any sense a bargain accommodation. Most rooms are in excess of $200 per night. It is amazing what you do not get for that price. You do not get:

A key to your room. Rooms are not locked.

A coffee maker. You can get coffee at the restaurant.

Wifi .... just forget about it! Go out and look at the redwoods or sit next to a stream running through the property. Similarly, cell phones wont find any bars.

A phone in your room. Or a microwave, or a coffee maker, or a mini fridge. No wake up calls ... just sleep in.

HBO ... or any form of TV for that matter. No radio either!

A private bath. Some rooms do have their own bathrooms, but most rooms share baths and showers with other rooms.

An ice machine anywhere near your room.

Guaranteed level floors. Upon arising from bed in the Creek Cabin, the floor usually directed me back into the bed. An interesting feature for a room!

Exercise room. Lots of trails to hike, however.

Continental Breakfast. Just go over to the restaurant, order the Eggs Benedict, then hike it off.

Creek House

Then there is what you get.

Authenticity.

These handcrafted cabins, rooms, and dormitories have been nestled in the redwoods since the 1930's, when Papa Deetjen first started building his dream.

This is the quintessential Big Sur Experience. Wander around amidst the redwoods, explore the streams running through the property, or walk out across the highway and take in the might and majesty of the California coast. The gardens in the compound will set your soul to ease.

Many of the rooms have fireplaces or stoves, and the staff will make sure you do not run low on firewood.

Watch a whale migrate by, or a condor sail overhead.

Go Trout Fishing in America and read Richard Brautigan.

Deetjen's has the very best restaurant along the coast. Make reservations for dinner! It is one of two restaurants in Big Sur that serve breakfast, and it is by far the better of the two. This is a pricey restaurant and you will savor every bite and nary regret a single one.

Discover the curious freedom of not keeping track of a room key! (Okay, lock your valuables in your car.)

And do not forget to explore the myriad wonders of nature in and around Big Sur. Point Lobos to the north, San Simeon to the south, and the wonders of the parks: Pfeifer, Julia Pfeifer Burns, Dupont, Limekiln are all within easy reach.

The Row - a dormitory of unique experiences

The Hayloft Building, from below the Fireplace room's private deck. We have stayed in the Fireplace room and it is one of our favorites.

Fun with friends on the private garden patio of the Honeymoon room. Cheers to Ray Swann who came all the way from Australia to toast our good health.

One of the things you might not get at Deetjen's is headroom. The Honeymoon room is one of the larger rooms (though still a shared bath) but Ray, who stayed in the room, said there were many portions of the room that precluded his being able to stand up straight, being a very low ceiling. I reckon they call it the Honeymoon room for a reason?
*****************************************
" I recall having to back into the bathroom - walking straight in presented a few problems closing the door etc." -Ray Swann

A wondrous residence for family and friends at Creek Cabin. My personal favorite.

This is a great cabin for friends to share. The downstairs sports the closest thing you will find to a kitchen, a semi-private bath, and a large brick fireplace. Plenty of room to sit around, which is not common to many rooms. The upstairs has its own deck and bath. We enjoyed the weekend with good friends, splitting the cabin between the two couples.

Some local furnishings along the creek outside Creek Cabin

Falls along the creek above Creek Cabin. There are many small Buddhas watching from the woods, along this stretch.

Falls along the creek above Creek Cabin.

Falls along the creek below Creek Cabin. The bridge was built during the Second World War and would bear the weight of a tank.

Early morning along the coast just outside the entrance to Deetjen

Walking around the redwoods; Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park; Big Sur.

Walking around the redwoods; Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park; Big Sur.

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur

Redwoods morning; Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park; Big Sur

Redwoods morning; Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park; Big Sur

Redwoods soar at Pfeifer State Park

Bixby Bridge on Highway 1 along the California Coast of Big Sur.

Point Lobos

Do not miss the opportunity to explore one of California's best state parks at Point Lobos south of Monterey.

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos

Point Lobos