A Scented Itinerary Through Big Sur, CA A Scented Itinerary Through Big Sur, CA
Inspired by D.S. & Durga
Where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific, Big Sur invites you to slow down and breathe deeply.
Few places stir the senses like Big Sur. After a coastal rain, redwood bark deepens, wild sage awakens, and eucalyptus leaves release their crisp, cooling perfume into the Pacific air. This scented itinerary invites travelers to experience the landscape that inspired D.S. & DURGA’s fragrance collections: Big Sur After Rain and Big Sur Eucalyptus, a partnership that captures the region’s misty mornings, forested canyons and fresh, coastal scents.
"Wood, Water, green. Big Sur is a confluence of fresh water (river, rain) & salt water (ocean, massive seaweed). There are a million herbs and flowers everywhere. It is a microcosm of California in some ways.”
- David Seth Moltz (D.S.)
A Sensory Journey Through Big Sur
David Seth Moltz is D.S. & DURGA’s lead perfumer and cofounder of the cult-favorite fragrance brand from Brooklyn, NY. D.S. & Durga is known for developing perfumes that tell a story.
As an homage to the inspired destination behind D.S. & Durga’s iconic Big Sur scent, find your own inspiration through an immersion of the senses as you journey through Big Sur with David.
What to See
Big Sur’s beauty is immersive, with misty overlooks, forest trails and ocean air that feels freshly laundered by nature itself. From iconic landmarks to quiet groves, each stop captures the layered freshness behind these signature scents.
“I am an East Coast kid. Our coast is quaint. Big Sur is for giants. Huge trees, mountains, waves and clouds.”
- D.S.
📍Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
"The walk down to the water at Julia Pfeiffer State Park.”
Named after legendary Big Sur pioneer Julia Pfeiffer Burns, for whom the McWay Waterfall was a favorite sight, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a favorite of many hikers. With an 80-foot waterfall, scuba diving, redwood groves and on-land spots perfectly placed for whale watching, it's no surprise that so many have raved about Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
📍Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
“A ramble up to the mountains on the non-ocean side of the road.”
The best way to explore the majestic beauty inland is through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Buzzards Roost Trail. Best used from March to October, this moderate 2.6-mile trail consists of switchbacks through a forest of tan oaks and along streams to a summit view at Pfeiffer Ridge that overlooks the Pacific coast. This trail is a local favorite and the perfect sunset hike.
📍Andrew Molera State Park
“The beach at Andrew Molera State Park - a must for the walk alone.”
The largest state park on the Big Sur coast, Andrew Molera State Park is a popular Big Sur destination, named after the man who brought the artichoke to California. Andrew Molera State Park's hiking trails wander through a wide variety of environments, from spectacular coastlines to tranquil river banks, from redwood-studded ridges to grassy meadows. Other attractions at this Big Sur state park include fishing, mountain biking trails and many historic structures.
📍Big Sur Hikes
“Easy hiking. Beaching. Watching the landscapes. Sniffing all the flora on hikes.”
Big Sur is home to some of the world's most beautiful hikes and trails. Nestled between the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains and the stunning Pacific Ocean, it offers unmatched scenic beauty, best experienced through its extensive trail system. From the Pfeiffer Falls and Valley View Trail near the entrance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, to Garrapata State Park’s Soberanes Point Trail with panoramic ocean views offering the chance to spot whales and sea lions, the rugged beauty of Big Sur is on display throughout the destination. And don't miss the beach trails through Los Padres National Forest.
📍Sand Dollar Beach
“Looking down at the clouds slowly coming over the ocean.”
The largest unbroken stretch of beach in Big Sur, Sand Dollar Beach is popular with rockhounds for its jade and with hikers and photographers for its breathtaking bluffs. A steep staircase leads down to the beach, and it’s an ideal setting to take in the clouds rolling in over the Pacific. Named after the smooth, waxy stone frequently found on its rocky beaches after a storm, Jade Cove lies two miles south of Sand Dollar Beach.
““You can't go wrong. Every nook and cranny is a new angle. Nothing beats driving to the beaches.”
- D.S.
What to Eat
Dining in Big Sur is a sensory experience in its own right. Open-air terraces, redwood-shaded patios, and cliffside views layer coastal flavors with fresh forest air, echoing the bright, earthy notes found in both fragrances.
📍Nepenthe Restaurant
“Nepenthe at sunset. Nepenthe all day.”
Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur is perched on the edge of the continent, high above the Pacific. This mecca of poets, artists, travelers and vagabonds has served guests for over 68 years. Enjoy lunch, dinner or sundowners overlooking spectacular views of over 60 miles of the Big Sur coast.
📍Big Sur Lodge Restaurant
“The bar at the Big Sur Lodge. Wild and fun.”
Surrounded by the majestic redwoods, the calming river and the beauty of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, sits Big Sur Lodge. Experience the essence of Big Sur’s natural beauty over locally sourced meals and craft cocktails at the Homestead Restaurant and Bar or on the sprawling outdoor patio overlooking the Big Sur River. With the Monterey Bay and America’s Salad Bowl at the doorstep, each bite embodies the magic of Big Sur’s landscape and climate.
📍Deetjens Big Sur Inn
“Deetjens is also cozy.”
Deetjens Big Sur Inn consists of four intimate rooms, each embodying a warm atmosphere with fireplaces, candlelight and classical music on the edge of the redwood forest in Big Sur. A National Historic Landmark, the locale opened in the 1930s and today serves home-cooked breakfast and dinner five days a week.
Where to Stay
Where you stay in Big Sur is part of the experience. Luxury retreats and forest hideaways invite the outdoors in, with open windows, ocean breezes, and eucalyptus drifting through tranquil spaces, perfectly aligned with the spirit of Big Sur After Rain and Big Sur Eucalyptus.
📍Post Ranch Inn
“Obviously, Post Ranch Inn is rad. The view is amazing.”
High atop the cliffs of Big Sur, 1200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, sits Post Ranch Inn, a sanctuary for the soul. Located along California’s Highway 1, one of the world’s most scenic drives, this adults-only luxury resort is the ultimate destination for romance, relaxation or rejuvenation and the only resort in Big Sur to offer full ocean views. An industry pioneer in sustainability, Post Ranch’s architecture embraces the coast's dramatic beauty, offering 40 rooms and private homes that blend rustic elegance, comfort and privacy with panoramic ocean, mountain or forest views.
📍Monterey Beach Hotel
Nestled beneath miles of dunes, Monterey Beach Hotel, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel, offers 192 rooms and is located directly on the beach. Witness majestic sunsets, hear the ocean’s waves, get a taste of oceanfront dining at Lantern Room Restaurant, and take to the waters at Monterey's only beachfront lifestyle property with breathtaking ocean views.
📍Alila Ventana Big Sur
Perched at the edge of the continent overlooking the majestic Pacific, this intimate retreat features 54 guest rooms, suites and villas, Spa Alila, two pools with outdoor Japanese hot baths, The Sur House restaurant, Big Sur Smokehouse, and 12,000 square feet of event and meeting space surrounded by the stunning beauty of Big Sur. Among 160 acres of rolling meadows, towering redwoods, and ocean views, guests can indulge in complimentary Signature Activities, including fitness classes, daily guided nature walks, yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, and s’mores at Social House. The resort’s Alila Experience Program offers one-of-a-kind mind, body and soul experiences, including falconry, wild foraging hikes, photography and clay workshops, and a variety of immersive hiking excursions.
📍Treebones Resort
Treebones Resort offers a unique, full-service lodging and dining experience overlooking the Pacific Ocean with spectacular panoramic views in all directions. With yurts, guests have all the accessibility to nature of a tent with all the comforts of a cabin. Sleep under the stars, enjoying them through the spydome from the comfort of one's own bed. The award-winning Wild Coast Restaurant and Sushi Bar features upscale California cuisine.
"[Big Sur is] a secret enclave that holds mystical history from trees to poets by the mighty Pacific.”
- D.S.
We invite you to visit, follow the scents and create your own story.
Take the Scent Home
From mist-covered bridges to eucalyptus-lined canyons, Big Sur lingers long after you leave. With every wash of Big Sur After Rain or Big Sur Eucalyptus, that fresh, coastal clarity returns, transforming everyday moments into a sensory escape along California’s most iconic stretch of coastline.
Highway 1 At Regent's Slide is Officially Open
Enjoy uninterrupted travel between Monterey County and San Luis Obispo through Big Sur
Just One More Drive
After cruising Big Sur’s breathtaking stretch of Highway 1, take one more drive along Pebble Beach’s iconic 17-Mile Drive.