While California’s winding Highway 1 unquestionably offers one of the best motorcycle rides in the West, you won’t want to cruise this stretch of dramatic coastline in a single day. Stop along the way and enjoy the bounty of sea, sun, and wilderness at Ventana Inn & Spa, located a half-mile above the highway in Big Sur.
Using proceeds from the cult motorcycle classic Easy Rider, film producer Larry Spector originally opened this rustic inn as a retreat for Hollywood friends such as Steve McQueen and Dennis Hopper. Thirty years later the venue continues to draw those needing an escape to recharge and gain a sense of self.
Relatively undeveloped and pristine, Ventana’s 243 acres act as a natural refuge for wildlife—quail, wild turkeys and deer can be seen from the outdoor hot tubs on many of Ventana’s private balconies. If you are on a return visit, you will notice much more space in 20 recently renovated suites adorned with cedar and offering oversized granite showers, 110-gallon soak tubs built for two, and wood-burning fireplaces. For dinner, the Cielo restaurant, overlooking the Pacific from its wooded site, offers California wine and cuisine. Before getting back on the road, visit the spa and get a massage or take a dip in the Japanese baths. Or lounge by the inn’s swimming pools—one of which does not require bathing suits.
866.325.8708
www.ventanainn.com