Located in the heart of Big Sur, this gorgeous state park protects virtually everything that makes national parks like Yosemite so famous.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Some of the best views of the Big Sur coastline are found at the Point Sur Lightstation, a fully preserved turn-of-the-century lighthouse just north of Andrew Molera State Park.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Humpback whales frequent the deep waters of Big Sur, typically from late April through early December. One of the most reliable spots for spotting these migrating whales is ...