SPOTLIGHT ON BIG SUR | JOSH GOLD.

Name: Joshua Michael Gold

Age: 33

Starsign: Gemini

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Where do you live now? Santa Barbara, California, USA

How often do you get up to Big Sur? Once every 3 months

Describe yourself in 3 words or less: Joie de vivre

What gets you out of bed each day? The possibility of evolution

What makes this place so special? The magical mix of mountains and cliffs that look out over a sprawling Pacific Ocean.

We only have 24 hours in Big Sur, where would you take us? I’d start the morning with breakfast at the Big Sur Bakery. Then we’d head over to Andrew Molera State beach, hiking along the river to go and chill (and surf) at Big Sur river mouth. We’d stop in at Big Sur River Inn to go dip our feet in the creek while we drank and possibly took a bite. Then we’d head over to the New Camaldoli Hermitage to take a moment of silence and reflection, where there in the monastery is a sacred room that has a direct connection to the Universe. On the way out we’d pick up some fruitcake and eat it at Julia Pfeiffer State Park while we checked out the waterfall on the beach. From there we’d head up to the architecturally extravagant Post Ranch Inn to have cocktails on the patio for sunset before dinner there. If we didn’t find the right timing to sneak in and skinny dip in their pool, after dinner we’d head back to the room before we took our 2am adventure to the Esalen hot tubs, which rest on the edge of a cliff. I'd probably make you drive home from there coz i would be absolutely buggered at that point.

Tent or hotel? Tent is pretty amazing. Otherwise Deetjens, Post Ranch or Lucia Lodge.

Beach or hike? Most beaches require hikes, but it’s a hike spot.

Best place for breakfast? Big Sur Bakery.

Best place for beers at sunset? Post Ranch Inn.

Any other hidden secrets you can share? There are too many secrets when it comes to Big Sur that live behind the façade of redwoods, but most of these require you to know people to allow you into to the hidden and magical world. A world of concerts and treehouses, magical beings and crazy concoctions…

Who are you listening to at the moment? Josh Garrels.

Words you live by… "Every decision is the right decision, except for the decision in indecision".

[Back to big sur. guide]