New Camaldoli Hermitage, Big Sur Drive
New Camaldoli Hermitage has a stunning view from a bench on vertical cliffs above blue-green water! It will take your breath away! Don't miss driving the short, steep driveway up to New Camaldoli Hermitage while doing the Big Sur Drive from San Simeon. The hermitage is at the end of the drive, a few minutes before the road ends at the Regents landslide area. There is a sign at the driveway, and you can drive up anytime to check out the view from the bench at one of the dirt pullouts.
If you're there 1:30-4:30pm, you can also go to the top and buy holy granola (Morro Bay residents say this is delicious!) in their bookstore. Once the chapel is repaired, you will be able to go in there to pray. There is also a steep, wide trail (probably a fire road) called Fence Loop that leads into the canyon with lovely views of the tree-lined hills.
The hermitage is a place of silent retreats. At the bookstore, you must be silent.
Mass is currently in a different spot than the chapel, at 7:30am (lauds) and at 5pm (vespers) daily except Mondays, plus 11am on Sunday. There are no masses on Mondays.
I hope it is sunny when you come because the color of the water from the bench view is just incredible! July to March is the time when it is least foggy, especially by late morning. Fog rolls in again around 4pm.
Don't miss Limekiln State Park, a magical beach with white rocks strewn around a crystal clear stream that feeds into the ocean.
Fog rolling in during the afternoon.
View of the hills.
Italian cypress trees.
Benches across from the bookstore.
Amazing views from the highway near New Camaldoli Hermitage.
View from the bench! See the interesting bridge below, that you drive under. See how small the highway looks- you are that high up!
The bookstore, where you can buy holy granola.
Italian cypress trees and the chapel.
View of the winding highway below.
I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1.
View from the Fence Loop Trail.
The Fence Loop Trail is wide dirt path.
The Fence Loop Trail heading up into the hills.
Fog on the hillside and beautiful row of trees, as seen from the Fence Loop Trail.
The highway below New Camaldoli Hermitage.
The beautiful bridge you can see from the bench at the top of New Camaldoli Hermitage's bench.
The end of the road! You have now reached the Regents landslide and must turn around.
View of the highway and bridge below!
The red tab on the map is where the amazing bench is! Enjoy!
New Camaldoli Hermitage is located at 62475 Highway 1, Big Sur.
The bookstore is open daily 1:30-4:30pm. The chapel is currently closed for repair (2025).
Last Updated: Sun, 14 Sep 2025 18:23:54 GMT
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