This November, I took a roadtrip up Pacific Coast Highway 1 with my girlfriend to Big Sur , California for my birthday. It is approximately a 5 hour drive from L.A. . You feel transported by the landscape upon passing San Luis Obispo & feel as if you are in Ireland, Scotland, or th South of France. It's an EPIC TRIP & everyone should make a pilgrimage there at some point. Tibetan Buddhists claim the land has special spiritual vibrations. The tourism there is based on ' Getting away from it ALL', so nearly ALL of the accomodations there boast NO PHONE - NO T.V. & basicly woo you to spa out & eat like a King.

Big Sur is probably THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON THE PLANET. It has also been a legendary enclave of artists such as Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, Edward Weston, Robinson Jeffers, & Jack London. Kerouac wrote the novel BIG SUR beating a retreat from the then hectic San Francisco Scene , drinking himself into a stupor in the process. Miller, THE  literary GOD of SEX, who's books such as Tropic of Cancer, Nexus, Sexus & Plexus were mostly BANNED in the U.S.A. at the time, bought a modest rustic cabin from his first book royalties. I suggest bringing or buying one of these books for your trip, because beyond nature walks & eating the ONLY other entertainment on offer is ' between the sheets ' ... whether reading, dreaming, or acting out your ultimate sexual fantasy.

My favorite place to stay is The Post Ranch Inn. Perched on a cliff over-looking the rugged coastline - it's rooms are like eco-friendly tree houses between the Pacific & ancient redwood forest.  Post Ranch is consistenly listed as one of the Great Hotels of The World. Jurgen Teller photographed Sofia Coppola for Marc Jacobs Perfume campaign at the Inn's " Infinity Pool" that cascades off a cliff into the Pacific Ocean.Rooms go for about $500 a night { worh every cent }  & with atleat a 6 month's waiting list,  so we stayed at Glen Oaks this trip. The other National Historic Landmark spot is Deetjun's Big Sur Inn ... which was a bohemian round table from way back. The food at both places is AMAZING ! You can also soak in the hot tubs at Esalen Institue after midnight if you call & make reservations. They have ocean view under moonlight & were a legendary Hippie Era " Sex-capades" spot in the FREE LOVE era.

I spend about half my life traveling on the road for work & pleasure . Big Sur is my favorite place to ' TUNE IN, TURN ON & DROP OUT ' - to quote my late friend Timothy Leary. The beauty of the place is egalitarian & OPEN TO EVERYBODY. There are camp grounds & many small cabins for cheap ... & most of Big Sur is protected National State Parks. It is most popular in early Spring, but it's beauty is legendary year round. It's a great place to put on some Nas, 'skin up', & 'spark some trees' ! ! !

For GREAT food & GREAT views at artist friendly prices - check out Nepenthe ! It's where Rita Hayworth & Orson Wells were married . It was also THE watering hole for Henry Miller & the Big Sur community when it was still ' The Boonies '. I'll post some shots for inspiration.