Big Sur
Everything you need to know before you go.
Based on the reference the coast stays moderate all year but summer brings dense fog that sometimes stays until afternoon. That fog can make Highway One tricky.
Peak season runs from June through August. School breaks and long days pull the most travelers. Expect the highest lodging rates and the most traffic on the highway. The fog is thickest then and can linger making the drive slower.
The sweet spot is late April to early June and September to early October. During those months the fog is lighter, temperatures are comfortable, and crowds are thinner. Prices for hotels and rentals drop noticeably compared with July and August.
Avoid the deep winter months of December through February if you want clear views. Rain is more common and the sky often stays low and gray. Holiday travel also pushes prices up.
Typical temperatures: summer days hover in the high 60s to low 70s°F, nights cool to the 50s°F. Spring and fall sit in the mid 60s°F during the day and drop to the 50s°F at night. Winter stays in the low 60s°F for daytime highs and the 50s°F for lows.
No major festivals are listed in the reference so there is no specific event to plan around. The main thing to watch is the fog schedule and the holiday rush.