Curious Wanderer

May 21, 20193 min read

Deetjen’s: A Big Sur Historic Site

Updated: Sep 6, 2020

I don't even know how to begin writing about Deetjen's, an awesome establishment that has been a part of Big Sur's history for so long, it has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. If an establishment has been around for so long and survived the inevitable march of time and multiple generations of visitors, then it must be worth a visit, wouldn't it?

We were camped in a nearby campsite and we strategically did not pack cooking gear just so we could finally try out as many eating places along the Big Sur Coast as we can in the 3 1/2 days we are here. We try to make it a point to eat at one establishment or hike a trail every time we pass by Big Sur on our way to or from Monterey or San Francisco, but on this trip, it's all about Big Sur. Deetjen's was definitely on my must-try list.

We left our campsite early one morning and made the drive here. Deetjen's was very nicely nestled along the "fold" of the coast in the shadow of a cliff making it easy to miss as it is also almost hidden by trees and other foliage.

Once you make the oh-my-gosh-turn-into-that-driveway-NOW turn, you will have to make your way through on a driveway that goes past cabins with architecture that give off Scandinavian esthetics vibes and a bridge that crosses a multi-level small-flow-waterfall-along-a-creek just to get to the parking lot in the back of the property. More on this creek later.

Even the parking lot for this establishment is very picturesque, I kid you not. As soon as we drove in and parked, I felt like I could breathe deeply.

Deetjen's provide lodging too! Walking from the parking lot in the back of the property to the restaurant at the front, we passed by several cabins while housekeeping was cleaning and I was able to take a quick peek --- while walking. Don't worry, I wasn't entirely nosy and didn't walk right in... The rooms look like they have a real bed, its own heater and its own bathroom. Yaaassss! (Note: According to Deetjen's website, though, not all cabins have their own bathrooms.)

Still walking towards the restaurant, we walked by a large shed with lots of windows and when I peeked in, I found that it's a reading room with cozy reading chairs. How awesome is that?

Two steps later, we came by another cute shed crawling with jasmine that served as a linen closet and a few steps after that, there was a little sitting area surrounded by flowering bushes. This place is sooooo charming!

Deetjen's was definitely dressed for spring during our visit and all sorts of flowers were blooming everywhere, crawling over everything and dripping from every overhead possible.

There were nooks and crannies almost everywhere you turn and most of them have patio chairs and tables. Each nook is as inviting as the next, tempting you to sit down and kill time by enjoying the view, the scents and the walkers-by.

But alas, we had to break our fast, but I did not regret leaving all these beauties and making it to the restaurant. Finally.

The dining room was definitely homey and the food was good. The servers were hospitable and cheerful. Every food item we ordered was good and generously portioned.

I really love how their tea cam with all the accoutrements: the pot, the cup, the milk, the loose leaf tea, the strainer, the honey, the lemon wedges and the sugar cubes.

The Hollandaise sauce on their Eggs Benedict tasted great and the eggs were perfectly poached. The portion was big enough for two adults. The portions on both the Pancake and French Toast are both too big for a child to finish by herself (or himself) and came with butter, syrup and berries. And because the portions are large, the Chorizo Burrito we ordered went untouched until lunch. (It was good too.)

The kids thoroughly enjoyed their Hot Chocolate that came in a tall glass mug. Looking at it, it made me wish I ordered that too.

The restroom is located in the back and at first look, my brain went "outhouse". But it wasn't, really. Firstly, the bathroom wasn't a freestanding structure; it is attached to the restaurant building. Secondly, the inside is all sorts of cottage charm.

Remember that creek I mentioned before? Imagine my surprise when I saw this creek cascading over fallen logs and rocks... and it was accessible! They even put benches and chairs so you can sit and meditate here.