page_title: Big Sur
section_title: Settlements
hierarchical_section_title: Big Sur / Government / Settlements
caption_attribution_description: English: View of fuel pump cluster at Gorda, California, on California State Route 1. At times the motor fuel prices here have been the highest in the United States, as the revenues are used to subsidize the cost of Diesel fuel for generating electrical power in this remote location.
context_page_description: Big Sur is a rugged and mountainous section of the Central Coast of California between Carmel Highlands and San Simeon, where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently praised for its dramatic scenery. Big Sur has been called the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States," a "national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development" and "one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation." The stunning views, redwood forests, hiking, beaches, and other recreational opportunities have made Big Sur a popular destination for about 7 million people who live within a day's drive and visitors from across the world. It is among the top 35 tourist destinations world-wide. The region receives about the same number of visitors as Yosemite National Park, but offers extremely limited bus service, few restrooms, and a narrow two-lane highway with few places to park alongside the road.
context_section_description: Existing settlements in the Big Sur region, between Carmel Highlands and the San Carpoforo Creek, include Big Sur Village,  Gorda, Lucia, Palo Colorado Canyon Posts, and Slates Hot Springs. Other residential areas include Otter Cove, Garrapata Ridge and Rocky Point, Garrapata and Palo Colorado Canyons, Bixby Canyon, Pfeiffer Ridge and Sycamore Canyon, Coastlands, Partington Ridge, Burns Creek, Buck Creek to Lime Creek, Plaskett Ridge and Redwood Gulch.
caption: View of Gorda, one of the small clusters of services in Big Sur
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