PARTINGTON COVE AND CANYON: This area in
Big Sur is a hiker’s paradise. Partington holds two diverse water
habitats. An oasis of extraordinary beauty, guaranteed to attack your
senses, Partington looks like a pirate’s hideaway and perhaps
history would tell tales of such possibilities. More than 100 years
ago, John Partington dug out and built a tunnel through rock that was
six feet wide, eight feet high and one hundred feet long. This was a
transit from canyon to cove; once used to haul tan bark to ships. Mules
hauled the wagons down the canyon and through the tunnel to the cove.
Partington has one of the most dramatic views from any angle. On the
north side, Partington Creek flows freely into pools of water, bending
around enormous boulders, rapids and cascades dropping off into the
Pacific Ocean. Amid these cliff drops, California Redwoods grow and
the views are breathtaking. Lush, rich and diverse, no one should come
to Big Sur without experiencing this. It is an untouched reservoir of
natural beauty just waiting to be explored.
CLIMATE: The Big Sur area is mild and temperate all year
round, with some occasional rainfall beginning in January. The springtime
is the most beautiful where all of the hills are doused with California
poppies and an assortment of California sagebrush, and other wildflowers
indigenous to the central coast. The further away from the water you
go, the warmer it gets. Occasional fog and marine layers are not uncommon,
particularly in June, July and August, but for the most part, temperatures
are wonderful. Layers are always recommended on the coast.
ACTIVITIES: Partington Canyon is predominantly a hiker’s delight;
there is a 1,680-acre underwater reserve at the Cove with a great assortment
of marine life.
Special-use permits are required for scuba diving. Ecological, hike-in
campsites are available next to the 80-ft. waterfall. The coves are
protected from rough surf by granite rock out crops and water bound
points.
Other activities to do while in Big Sur:
Kayaking
Botanizing
Hot springs
Light houses
Horseback riding
Museums
Wine tasting
Tide pooling
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST:
Lost Padres National Forest
Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Partington Ridge and Santa Lucias
Andrew Molera State Beach
The Post Inn Resort and Spa
Nepenthe Restaurant
Ventana Wilderness
by: Carla Iacovetti
©2006Carla Iacovetti
