ism / ˈizəm / noun
a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy, typically a political ideology or an artistic movement.
Edition No. 25 — Big Sur, California
“The sea roars at Big Sur… and I sit alone in my shack listening to it.”
— Jack Kerouac
Welcome back, travelers—
Edition No. 25 lands us in California—and this time, we’re chasing summer properly. Think long coastal drives, salt air that lingers, music drifting in from somewhere down the beach, and the kind of days that don’t ask for a plan.
Over the next few months, we’re diving into California’s most iconic—and quietly infamous—beach towns. Sunsets, surf breaks, farm-to-table dinners, hikes that turn into viewpoints… we’re taking it all in.
Big Sur is our launching pad.
Rugged and untamed, Big Sur stayed largely off the map until the completion of the Pacific Coast Highway in 1937. Once home to the Esselen Tribe, it later drew artists, writers, and seekers—most famously Jack Kerouac—turning wilderness into something closer to a cultural myth.
Wild, cinematic, and quietly humbling, Big Sur trades polish for presence. Cliffs drop into deep blue, fog rolls in like a mood, and time stretches between viewpoints. It’s less a destination, more a feeling—one that lingers somewhere between solitude, scale, and slow, deliberate wonder.
We’re cruising the PCH with intention—pulling over for the stays that matter, the roadside stops worth the detour, and the farm-to-table dinners that define the coast. No filler. Just the good stuff, mapped clean.
📍Big Sur, California: Unplug, breathe deep, sleep by the sea, reconnect with nature, leave lighter than you arrived.
Treebones Resort is directly off California Highway 1 in the southern Big Sur area
Where To Stay
Treebones Resort: Perched on Big Sur’s southern cliffs, Treebones is a fully off-grid escape where glamping meets design. Yurts, nests, and treehouses overlook the Pacific, powered by solar and intention. It’s equal parts eco-retreat and creative hideaway—quiet, communal, and deeply tied to the land around it.
Energy: Off-grid, ocean-facing, quietly communal
Design DNA: Eco-driven structures—yurts, nests, and wood-built forms that blend into the cliffs
Vibe: Creative, unplugged, a little bohemian without trying too hard
Scene: Sunset wine on the bluff, slow mornings, conversations that stretch past dinner
Guest Mood: Present, reset, slightly off the grid—in the best way
The Rooms
Think yurts—but elevated. King beds, skylights, redwood decks, and ocean views turn “camping” into something closer to ritual. Beyond the yurts, you’ll find a treehouse, human nest, and autonomous tents—each offering a different level of immersion, from cozy comfort to fully exposed nature.
Let’s Talk Yurts
Yurts—circular, tent-like structures framed in wood lattice—set the tone here, but Treebones takes them somewhere more refined.
Inside, they’re spacious and thoughtfully finished: plush king beds with layered linens, soft lighting, heat when you need it, and a simple vanity with hot and cold water. Polished pine floors ground the space, while French doors open onto a redwood deck with wide, uninterrupted coastal views.
Bathrooms and showers sit just a short walk away—close enough for ease, far enough to keep the experience rooted in the landscape.
Off The Grid
The Autonomous Tent Collection at Treebones Resort is where off-grid turns quietly indulgent.
Elevated off-grid living meets quiet luxury—private ocean views, expansive interiors, and thoughtful design. It’s Big Sur at its most immersive, where comfort and nature exist in perfect, uninterrupted balance.
☀️ Fully solar-powered, off-grid living — your own autonomous setup, zero compromise
🌊 Private ocean views from both North & South units—no neighbors, no noise
🏕️ 600+ sq ft of indoor space — airy, modern, and unexpectedly expansive
🌿 Bamboo flooring + eco-conscious design — clean lines, warm materials
🛋️ Lounge-ready interiors — leather chairs, sofa, heat, and overhead fan
☕ In-suite Nespresso station — espresso, first light, ocean in view
🚿 Spa-level bathroom — walk-in shower, separate vanity, elevated finishes
🧊 Mini fridge + luggage space — small details, fully handled
✨ Translucent tent design — bright and open by day, softly glowing at night
🔥 Private outdoor deck (300+ sq ft) — fire pit + Adirondacks, front row to sunset
Amenities
This is unplugged luxury. A heated pool and hot tub overlook the ocean, yoga sessions and massages reset the pace, and hiking trails begin just beyond your door. Expect communal spaces, a small lodge market, and nights filled with stars—because here, the lack of excess is the point.
💆 Massage: Offered in a quiet, dedicated studio—simple, intentional, and designed to slow everything down. Each session is one-on-one, allowing the practitioner to tailor the experience to your body in real time, from pressure to focus areas to any specific needs.
🧘♂️ Yoga: Mornings don’t rush—they unfold. Yoga here is less about routine, more about rhythm. Guided sessions ease you into the day with the sound of the Pacific in the background and redwoods holding the frame. It’s quiet, grounding, and exactly the reset you didn’t know you needed.
Farm to table means something at The Lodge
Eat + Drink
At Treebones Resort, everything funnels back to The Lodge—the social core, the fire-lit dining room, the place where the day slows down and settles in.
🦪Dinner: A four-course, chef-driven menu by Kyle Walker that leans fully into the land. Ingredients are local, often pulled straight from the on-site garden, and plated with a quiet confidence. Inside, it’s warm and intimate with ocean views and a wood-burning fire; outside, when the weather cooperates, the bar opens up to the Pacific—whale watching, wine in hand, no rush.
What To Order: Then dinner resets the tone. Crudo, oysters, roasted cauliflower with salsa macha, and a pork chop that lands exactly where it should—refined, but still grounded.
🥞Breakfast: Complimentary and unfussy in the best way—eggs, fruit, yogurt, bacon, sausage—simple staples, but sourced like someone actually cares where it came from.
🍔Lunch: Keep it easy. Settle in with a book, order a local beer, and go straight for the burger—it’s one of the best bites on this entire stretch of road.
Pro Tip: Bring a great California bottle you pick up along the drive. Corkage is just $25—arguably the best deal in Big Sur.
The Splurge
🍣Wild Coast Sushi: The two restaurants at Treebones Resort couldn’t feel more different—and that’s the point.
This dinner is your spluge. It’s intimate, precise, and an experience you will be sharing. Chef Yancy Knapp leads an 18-course omakase that leans quietly luxurious—grilled black cod, buttery otoro nigiri, each piece plated on handmade ceramics. Pair it with curated sake or tea, and let the Pacific do the rest.
Farm To Table
🌿 Sierra Mar — Dinner Above the Clouds
What makes it special: Hyper-seasonal tasting menus that shift daily, paired with one of the most serious wine programs on the coast
This is where Big Sur goes refined. Ingredients are sourced locally when possible, plated with restraint, and served against a backdrop that makes you pause mid-bite.
What To Order: Let the tasting menu lead—add the wine pairing and don’t overthink it.
Pro Tip: These guys put out a serious weekend brunch!
🔥 Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant — Old-World, Wood-Burning Soul:
Vibe: Candlelit, rustic, slightly time-warped in the best way
What makes it special: Historic inn dining with a true farm-to-table ethos—herbs from the garden, proteins sourced thoughtfully, everything touched by fire or tradition
It feels like you’ve stepped into another era—quiet, intimate, and deeply personal.
What To Order: Seasonal game or seafood dishes—whatever’s closest to the land that week.
Golden Hours Cocktails
🍸 Nepenthe — Sunset Cocktails, No Notes Needed
Vibe: Golden hour electricity. A little buzzy, a little chaotic, completely worth it.
Perched high above the Pacific, Nepenthe is where Big Sur leans social. You’re not here for mixology theatrics—you’re here for that moment when the sun drops, the sky turns cinematic, and every table goes quiet for a second.
The move: Arrive 45–60 minutes before sunset, grab a terrace spot, don’t rush it
What To Order: Aperol spritz, glass of California red, or a simple margarita—keep it light, let the view do the heavy lifting
Wine All The Time
🍷Coast Big Sur — The Under-the-Radar Pour
Vibe: Low-key, design-forward, quietly dialed
Big Sur doesn’t really do “wine bars” in the traditional sense—but Coast gets closest. Clean, modern lines meet rugged coastline views, with a wine list that leans California-forward and actually knows what it’s doing.
The move: Slide in late afternoon, order a glass, let it turn into sunset
What To Order: Central Coast Pinot or Chardonnay—keep it local, keep it coastal
Roadside Must Stop
🍔 Big Sur Bakery — The Cult Classic Stop
Vibe: Rustic, wood-fired, quietly legendary
The move: Pull in late morning, linger longer than planned
This is the heartbeat stop. Bread baked fresh, pastries that feel earned, and a fried chicken sandwich that’s basically a road trip rite of passage.
What To Order: Fried chicken sandwich, seasonal galette, strong coffee
Experiences
🌊 McWay Falls + Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The experience: A short, high-reward walk to one of California’s most surreal sights—McWay Falls spilling directly into the Pacific
Minimal effort, maximum payoff. It feels almost too perfect to be real.
The move: Mid-morning for clarity or sunset for drama
Travelism Take: Postcard-level beauty that actually lives up to it.
🌲 Guided Redwood Hike + Forest Bathing
The experience: Step inland into the redwoods—often via Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park—with a guided hike or forest bathing session
This is Big Sur’s quieter side. No cliffs, no crowds—just towering trees, filtered light, and a pace that slows your thinking down.
The move: Go early, or book a guided session for a more intentional reset
Travelism Take: The coast gets the headlines—but the forest changes your mood.
🌉 Bixby Bridge + Coastal Drive (Private or Self-Guided)
The experience: Drive the most cinematic stretch of Pacific Coast Highway, anchored by Bixby Creek Bridge
This isn’t transportation—it’s the main event. Whether you book a private driver or take the wheel yourself, the rhythm is simple: drive, pull over, stare, repeat.
The move: Early morning or golden hour for fewer crowds + softer light
Travelism Take: The road is the attraction—and it overdelivers.
Bottom Line
Big Sur isn’t about doing more—it’s about noticing more. The road slows you, the views reset you, and the quiet stays with you. Come for the drive, stay for the feeling, and leave with a different sense of time, space, and what actually matters.
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