Staying at Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn

Nestled along the curves of Big Sur’s beautiful but busy Highway One is a place that seems as if it’s been plucked straight from a storybook – Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn.

This past weekend, my friends and I all packed into our truck and navigated down the coast in search of this little outpost in the redwoods. As we navigated down the coast on a crisp autumn day, I tried to explain the little I knew about it to my friends, who had all flown in from out of town and blindly booked rooms here for a long weekend away on a promise of escape.

With no wifi or cell reception for miles, Deetjen’s sits surrounded by towering redwoods and the sound of crashing waves – the kind of place that delivers exactly what you’d expect.

The tale of Deetjen’s begins in 1926 when Helmut Deetjen, a Norwegian immigrant, purchased six acres along the Castro Canyon poured his sweat and soul into crafting the initial buildings by hand alongside Helen, the newfound love of his life. His dream was to create a humble refuge for travelers like us.

With the construction of Highway One a decade later, accessibility to the area massively improved, and Deetjen’s began drawing artists and celebrities seeking refuge amidst the redwoods for extended stays.

Today, it is listed in the National Registrar of Historic Places, and is run on a non-profit basis as a sort of testament to living history. It has also acquired a loyal customer base, many of whom return year after year to return to the magic.

Read on to discover all the details I fell in love with during my stay at Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn

When did the hotel open?

Deetjen’s opened in 1930, and is listed under the Register of Historic Places.

Is Deetjen’s part of a hotel group?

No, Deetjen’s has been independently owned and operated since its opening.

Is the property pet friendly?

No, the hotel currently does not allow pets.

Is the property accessible?

Not particularly. The property itself is very old, and the accessibility reflects its age – however the staff is very accommodating and will go out of their way to help those with limited mobility or any extra needs.

In three words…

romantic, rustic, old-fashioned

Location of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn

You’ll find Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn about an hour south of Carmel on the eastern side of Highway 1, just a stone’s throw from the dramatic coastline.

Very central to all of Big Sur’s finest hikes, restaurants, and attractions.

Amenities at Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn

The primary draw for many to Deetjen’s is its lack of modern amenities. There is no wifi, no cell service, and no televisions.

The amenities you’ll find here are more old fashioned – a well curated bookshelf, fireplace for chilly nights, and a nice selection of classic board games.

Dining

The restaurant inside the Inn serves an a la carte breakfast every morning to guests and travelers alike. Think fluffy buttermilk pancakes, thick cut applewood bacon, and a house egg benedict renowned for being the very best in Monterey County.

Dinner is served five nights a week throughout their four candle lit dining rooms. As you might imagine, the menu here is simple and nostalgic, evoking a sense of grandma’s home cooked meals of yesteryear. 

The Rooms at Deetjen’s

There are just twenty rooms here, and every single one has a unique personality and history. I stayed in the Fireplace Room, which is one of the five rooms in the original home now known as the Hayloft Hostel.

I fell in love the moment I walked in. The shiplapped room is airy and full of soft filtered light, with a little fireplace to cosy up to on the infamously foggy mornings.

I especially loved the private sun drenched deck, which my friends and I all gathered on during the afternoons with a bottle of wine and some boardgames from the front office.

The bathrooms in this particular building are shared, as is common in many older bed and breakfasts, but everything was so spotlessly clean that I didn’t mind the small inconvenience at all.

Being an older building without modern insulation, the walls were definitely thin and noise very easily traveled room-to-room. This didn’t bother me at all during my stay, but if you are a light sleeper or just want more privacy I would opt for a room in the Creek House, Castro Cabin, or the Stokes Building.

Sustainability at Deetjen’s

Deetjen’s has made efforts towards decreasing their footprint while retaining the historic integrity of the original building, which include naturally cooled buildings, locally sourced ingredients, and a reduced turndown service for sheets and towels unless otherwise requested.

Overall

Deejen’s is a truly unique place that I hope everyone can experience the magic of at least once. I found that the quirks that come with a centenarian property are all part of the charm. It’s a perfect escape, and a destination worth planning an entire trip to.