The history of development in Big Sur reflects the changing demands for use of the land. Subsistence ranching, logging of redwoods, harvesting tan bark and mining of limestone and gold provided a livelihood for early residents. While life was extremely rugged in these early years, there was a population of nearly 1,000 people by the 1880's largely supported by these basic industries. The mountain terrain, numerous deep canyons and lack of roads made travel difficult and slow. Most local products were shipped out by sea on the small coastal trading vessels that brought supplies to the isolated coast's residents. Palo Colorado Canyon, Notley's Landing, Bixby Creek, the Big Sur Valley and Partington Canyon were early centers of activity. Around the turn of the century, limited recreational use of the coast began to occur. The Big Sur Valley could be reached by stage from Monterey and camping in the redwood groves grew in popularity. Hunting and trout fishing were also popular and some local residents supplemented their income by guiding sportsmen from the cities.

Today, the tan bark, lumber and limestone industries have ceased. Gold is still mined on a limited basis in the Los Burros region and a few trees are harvested along the coast. Ranching continues as the major use of the large private holdings and contributes much to the character of Big Sur. Public recreation and private residential development are by far the strongest land use trends today.Single family residences comprise a major developed land use on private land. This occurs either in rural residential clusters in areas where development has historically been concentrated or scattered along Highway One. Many of the larger parcels are used for cattle grazing. Commercial uses, including restaurants, grocery stores and service stations are generally concentrated in the Big Sur Valley, Gorda and a few isolated businesses along Highway One. Recreational uses include public and private campgrounds, visitor accommodations, restaurants, State Park units and the Los Padres National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service has offices and other facilities in the Big Sur Valley and at Pacific Valley. State Parks and Recreation manages its units in Big Sur from offices in the Big Sur Valley. Caltrans has maintenance facilities in the Big Sur Valley and at Gorda. Quasi-public uses serving the local community and the traveling public are located in the Big Sur Valley. These include the Big Sur Grange hall, Captain Cooper Elementary School, churches, the County Library, Post Office and new Multi-Agency Conference Center.There are approximately 1,100 parcels in private ownership on the Big Sur Coast, ranging in size from less than an acre to several thousands of acres. Approximately 790 are vacant and 370 are occupied. Many have more than one unit on them, either residential or commercial. Small parcels of 2.5 acres or less are generally located near the highway, particularly between the highway and the ocean in a few specific locations including Palo Colorado Canyon, Garrapata Redwood, Rocky Point, Big Sur Valley, Coastlands and Partington. These areas have the greatest number of developed parcels.Approximately 2/3 of the Big Sur coastal zone is in public ownership under the U.S. Forest Service, the State Department of Parks and Recreation, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard and the University of California. If public acquisitions now contemplated or in progress are completed, approximately 60% of the coast will be publicly owned. Some of the private lands have scenic easements or deed restrictions, which limit the level of development.The 1990 decade census recorded approximately 800 housing units of which approximately 600 were single family dwellings. Large proportions of these homes are located in several residential areas. While there are historic expectations the buildup of these areas will be allowed to proceed, there are a number of conflicts with the broad objectives of the land use plan, particularly visual protection and protection of water resources.Residential areas include: Otter Cove, Garrapata Ridge/Rocky Point, Garrapata and Palo Colorado Canyons, Bixby Canyon, Pfeiffer Ridge/Sycamore Canyon, Coastlands, Partington Ridge, Burns Creek, Buck Creek to Lime Creek, Plaskett Ridge and Redwood Gulch. The Big Sur Valley, Lucia and Gorda also have significant residential use, although the primary functions of these areas are community service and commercial.As a recreational area of regional, national and international importance, Big Sur attracts nearly 4.5 million visitors annually. The accessibility of Big Sur to several nearby population centers is a major factor contributing to its high visitation. The basic recreational resource of Big Sur is the visual beauty of its striking landforms and unspoiled landscape. The mountains, forests, creeks, rivers and ocean shoreline combine to offer diverse recreational opportunities. The artistic and rustic lifestyle for which Big Sur is known creates an attractive cultural setting that compliments the natural character of the area.Recreational activity is concentrated along the coastal strip: on beaches, rocky shoreline, public parks, forest lands, campgrounds off Highway One and various visitor serving facilities.The Big Sur Valley has numerous camping, lodging, dining and other visitor serving facilities and is the focal point for recreational activity and services in Big Sur. The Big Sur River, the beach at the river mouth, the redwoods in the valley and Pfeiffer Beach are major natural resources in the area.The Los Padres National Forest occupies much of the area south of the Big Sur Valley. The national forest is a major hiking, backpacking and camping area. Several trailheads offering access to the backcountry and the Ventana Wilderness are located off Highway One. Several beaches including Sand Dollar Beach, Mill Creek Beach and other smaller pocket beaches are scattered along the southern Big Sur Coast within the boundaries of the National Forest. Hiking trails are scattered throughout the Ventana Wilderness and the National Forest backcountry. Day use facilities are provided at Mill Creek, Sand Dollar Beach, Willow Creek and Pfeiffer Beach.At present there are eight motels, lodges or inns on the coast. Rustic cabins are available at two of the campgrounds. The Camaldoli Hermitage run by a Benedictine Order has 11 rooms, which are available with the Hermitage's permission for use as a retreat. Esalen, an internationally known institution, offers accommodations for 90 people enrolled in educational programs. Private campgrounds with about 350 units constitute over half of the vehicle access campsites in Big Sur. All of the private campgrounds except Limekiln Beach Redwood Campground are located in the Big Sur Valley.

Twelve Restaurants seat about 1,100 people. There are also nine grocery stores, seven gas stations and a few gift shops are scattered along the length of Highway One. Private facilities are typically of a small to moderate scale in harmony with the natural beauty of Big Sur.