Entire cabin·Private host

The Little Gem in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Views

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Photo gallery for The Little Gem in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Views

Miscellaneous
Fridge, oven, stovetop, coffee/tea maker
Exterior
WiFi, bed sheets
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire cabin

29 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Garrapata State Park
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Bixby Bridge
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Carmel Beach
    ‪28 min drive‬
  • Monterey, CA (MRY-Monterey Peninsula)
    ‪36 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Little Gem in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Views

Wild Luxury on the Edge of the World

*We are excited to share this updated retreat after taking a hiatus. VRBO deleted our old listing so please see the photos showing our previous 5 star rating from 53 reviews on VRBO alone.

~ Big Sur is open and accessible from the north!
~ Private Acreage Property= Privacy + 360 views
~ Miles of on-site hiking with romantic lounging areas: creekside w/waterfalls or ridgeline w/ocean view
~ 3 miles from breathtaking Garrapata Beach and State Park
~ Paved, private road free of dust
~ High speed internet
~ 2 unique retreats

Welcome to Heart Circle Mountain—36 private acres of redwoods, mountains, and waterfalls, offering the Big Sur experience without the crowds. Step outside your door and immerse yourself in a private forest, where you can hike among towering redwoods, discover hidden waterfalls, and unwind in a serene streamside settings. Bath in the tranquility or venture upwards for sunny ridge-top views stretching toward the Pacific ocean. No need to get in your car—adventure and relaxation start at your doorstep.

Heart Circle Mountain offers a unique balance of wilderness and luxury, with two secluded retreats, each on their own area of the property that are thoughtfully designed for your enjoyment. Hammocks sway in the dappled sunlight, waterfalls provide a soothing soundtrack, and nature’s grandeur surrounds you.

Come experience Big Sur’s wild beauty—without the crowds.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Little Gem: A Cozy Hillside Retreat with Sweeping Views
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Perched on a scenic hillside, The Little Gem is a romantic, cozy cabin with breathtaking mountain, valley and forest views. Inside, you’ll find a queen Tempur-Pedic cast iron bed, a Jøtul wood-burning stove, and a beautiful dining nook with a skylight that opens to the towering redwoods and madrones.

The fully equipped kitchen includes a four-burner stove, oven, and under-counter refrigerator, plus an electric BBQ. Lace-covered French doors lead to an exquisite bathroom, featuring a clawfoot soaking tub/shower, a stunning bowl sink on a redwood countertop, and expansive views.

Built with the finest materials—redwood, art glass lighting, and natural stone—the retreat is meticulously cleaned with eco-friendly, allergy-safe products and features crisp white linens, sun-dried in the fresh Big Sur air.

Step outside onto the wrap-around balcony with a bistro dining area, take in the stunning ridges and forest below, or relax in the two-person hammock. For a truly magical experience, dine on your own mountaintop terrace, surrounded by flowers and embraced by redwoods, madrones, and oaks. At night, gaze at a star-filled sky—unobstructed by city lights.

An unforgettable Big Sur escape awaits!

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The Property
~~~~~~~~~~~

Heart Circle Mountain sits in the Goldilocks Zone—above the fog line but below the hotter, buggy highlands—offering a sunny microclimate teeming with wildlife. Here, deer, foxes, squirrels, quail, birds of prey, and even bobcats roam freely.

Just outside your door, two private hiking trails invite you to explore the beauty of Big Sur without the crowds. Along the way, discover scenic lounging areas with two-person hammocks, loungers, tables and chairs —perfect for a picnic or a drink while bathing in nature.

The Waterfall Trail

This serene path winds through a redwood forest along a private stretch of Palo Colorado Creek, leading to two enchanting lounge areas, surrounded by lush sorrel and ferns. At the halfway point, you’ll find Forest Glen, a magical haven where a meandering creek flows beneath a soaring old-growth redwood fairy ring. Further ahead, the trail ends in an intimate forest retreat, where a 10-foot granite waterfall cascades into a tranquil pool, framed by ferns, horsetails, redwoods, and oaks.

The Zen Trail

For breathtaking ocean, mountain, and valley views, follow the Zen Trail up Garrapata Ridge. Along the way, you might spot a bobcat or our resident fox near its den. At the summit, relax in a secluded lounge area beneath a natural oak arbor, with panoramic views of dramatic ridgelines and the Pacific on the horizon. Watch red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons glide overhead as you take in a fog river pouring over the ridges or a stunning sunset.

You won’t need to drive anywhere to experience the best of Big Sur—it’s all right here. But if adventure calls, the coastline and Ventana Wilderness are just a short drive away.

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The Neighborhood
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heart Circle Mountain sits atop a small mountain overlooking Palo Colorado Canyon and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Conveniently located just 2.2 miles from Highway 1, our retreats offer the best of both worlds—a peaceful Big Sur escape that’s only: a 15-20 minute drive North to Carmel or a 15-20 minute drive South to the Big Sur Valley.

You’ll experience some of the most scenic roads anywhere, without the hassle of dirt roads—our private, paved road ensures a smooth, dust-free, and traffic-free journey to your retreat.

Without a doubt, you will leave Heart Circle Mountain with a unique piece of Big Sur in your heart.

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The Attractions
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North
~ Rocky Point Restaurant – 2.5 mi
~ Garrapata Beach & State Park – 3 mi
~ Soberanes Point & Canyon – 6 mi
~ Point Lobos State Reserve – 10 mi
~ Carmel – 12 mi (80+ restaurants, art galleries, and shops)

South
~ Bixby Bridge & Old Coast Road
~ Andrew Molera State Park – Miles of trails, beach access, and guided horseback rides.
~ Big Sur Valley – 12 mi (restaurants, art galleries, and shops)

East (currently closed)
~ Palo Colorado Road – A scenic drive winding inland to Bottchers Gap Park, with campgrounds, hiking trails, and breathtaking views of the Ventana Wilderness and Mt. Pico Blanco.
~ Mill Creek Redwood Preserve – Now open by permit only, a few miles before Bottchers Gap.

West
~ Rocky Point to Castle Rock – the aqua blue Pacific Ocean crashing onto the shore.

We look forward to welcoming you!

2 Adults 21 & Up, No Pets, No Children
During your stay at this holiday home, you'll be close to Bixby Bridge. You'll find features such as laundry facilities. The holiday home includes amenities such as a kitchen and a fireplace.
  • The holiday home offers a kitchen, a washing machine and a fireplace
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • 7 minutes by car from Garrapata State Park and 7 minutes from Bixby Bridge
The Little Gem in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Views offers its guests barbecue grills and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Andrew & Brianne

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Composting
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 310 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • This property does not allow children.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.
Property Registration Number VR002008

The Little Gem in Big Sur w/Private Hiking & Views Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 2 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 2 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Deanna Renee F.

Liked: Cleanliness

A Truly Magical Stay at the Little Gem

We had such an amazing time staying at the Little Gem! The place is a total hidden gem–super cozy, clean, and surrounded by beautiful redwoods and oaks. It felt like our own little peaceful retreat, but still close enough to explore all the cool spots in Big Sur and Carmel.The cabin itself is really charming with a comfy bed, tub for soaking, and a kitchen that had everything we needed. The whole place was spotless, and we appreciated the eco-friendly touches. We loved hanging out outside too, especially the well kept hiking trails and relaxing in the hammock.Brianne and Andrew were friendly, helpful, and quick to respond whenever we had questions. They gave us great local tips that made our trip even better.Location-wise, it’s perfect if you want to be close to nature but still near all the best beaches and trails. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in the area!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bill H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Magical Getaway

Wow, what a unique and special spot! Waking up to serene nature with private hiking was so special. We took a blissful nap in a cozy hammock next to the creek and waterfall taking in the peace and quiet. Lounging and enjoying the sunset views from the top of the other trail was also amazing. The cabin itself was super cute, romantic and had all that we needed to celebrate our anniversary. Loved the views from the deck where we enjoyed the birds with breakfast. Easy access to great hiking along Big Sur’s coast. Garrapata state park is not to be missed. Brianne and Andrew were so helpful and check-in was easy. We’ll be back!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025