A 1950s motor lodge turned eco-chic retreat in the Big Sur Valley, offering mid-century design, redwood-shaded cabins, and private river access.
Glen Oaks Big Sur stands as a thoughtful evolution of the classic California roadside motel, originally constructed in 1957 as an adobe-walled motor lodge along Highway 1. In 2005, Big Sur local Basil Sanborn and his wife Tracey purchased the property, embarking on a comprehensive restoration that preserved its mid-century bones while introducing a sustainable, modern design ethos. San Francisco interior designer Steve Justrich shaped the aesthetic, which he coined "homegrown modernism," blending clean lines with organic warmth. The property is split by the highway: the hotel office and the historic Adobe Motor Lodge sit on the eastern side, while the Big Sur Roadhouse restaurant and a collection of secluded cabins occupy the western side, tucked deep into an ancient redwood grove along the banks of the Big Sur River.
The guest accommodations consist of 27 distinct keys, divided between the 15-room Adobe Motor Lodge, two historic Oak Tree Cottages, and ten custom-built cabins in the Redwood Grove and Big Sur River Preserve. Inside the motor lodge rooms, original adobe walls naturally regulate temperature, complemented by modern comforts like heated stone floors, gas fireplaces, and organic wool carpets. The cabins are constructed with a deep commitment to green building practices, utilizing sustainable materials such as Peroba wood furniture, bamboo, and bath vanities crafted from Kirei board, a material made from sorghum wheat. Many of these private forest sanctuaries, like the Big Sur Cabin, feature private outdoor decks, cast iron stoves, and outdoor fire pits where guests can roast complimentary s'mores under the canopy. For a truly immersive experience, select cabins offer outdoor soaking tubs set directly among the giant trees.
Wandering through the property's trail system reveals a landscape dominated by towering coast redwoods, including "Grandmother Pfeiffer," the second-largest redwood tree in the Big Sur Valley. The Big Sur River flows directly behind the cabin grounds, providing a quiet shoreline where guests can sit on wooden benches or wade into the cool water. Dining is centered at the Big Sur Roadhouse, located on the west side of the highway, which serves fresh, seasonal breakfast and lunch dishes on leafy outdoor patios. Guests can start their morning with fresh coffee and the restaurant's signature maple donuts before setting out to explore the valley. By keeping guest rooms intentionally free of televisions, the property encourages a quiet, meditative pace where the primary soundtrack is the wind through the redwoods and the steady rush of the river.
The Big Sur River runs directly behind the cabins. Pack water shoes for wading, and don't miss a morning walk to find 'Grandmother Pfeiffer,' the property's massive, ancient redwood.
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