Month: July 2017

MoCo Visitor’s Bureau’s disconnect with Big Sur

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This is from the brochure the vistor’s bureau was handing out when the TapHouse trail opened to visitors on July 1st.

Do you see the problem here?? There IS NO legal camping south of the bridge until Limekiln State Park, some 25 miles south, and until just recently, it was ONLY accessible to locals and deliveries through Paul’s Slide. So, where are these visitors being directed to? One reader found hikers with overnight packs hiking Clear Ridge. Another, found hikers who climbed over the private gate and proceeded up the private road at Coastlands. And Marcus, quoted below, has several times found campers on the property he caretakers. This is where the visitor’s bureau is direcing visitors, purposely or inadvertently – our back yards.

I sent a copy of the below reader’s comment (thank you Marcus) to the Bureau’s 3 top marketing managers yesterday, but as of yet, have had no response. I wrote to Mark, Rob, and April at seemonterey.com and sent this:

“”Just to point out the disconnect the County Visitors Bureau has with the realities in Big Sur. They are advising people to stop at Bixby Bridge and take pictures when there are 20 parking spots and 200 cars trying to park there on weekends. Maybe that’s a bad idea? Also, on their 4 page brochure they were handing out to tourists on the Southside ,when they opened the trail, the second paragraph was telling people “to stay for an unforgettable sunset and sleep under the stars” when there is not one legal campsite to do that. Dangerous!”

Feel free to send them your concerns, as well.

Highway One closure update, 7/24/17

Photos of: 1) Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) still showing some activity this morning; 2) Pedestrian Detour Signs at South Turn Around (PM 45–just south of Pfeiffer Canyon; 3) Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge (PM 45.52) Abutment 1 Work, Platform and Falsework and 4) Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge (PM 45.52) Launch Falsework at Abutment 2. ( reordered this so number 2 is last for a comparison)

HIGHWAY 1 UPDATE – Monday, July 24—NO CHANGES

522594093PM 45.52 PCB Abutment 1 work 7.21.17PM 45.52 PCB Abutment 2 form work 7.21.17

Here is the pedestrian detour and a comparison of what it looked like a week ago last Friday, when Paul’s Slide was still closed. Glad to see the change, as it was a real challenge to figure out how to get into and out of the handicapped parking spot between the deli and the post office.

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What do Venice, Italy & Big Sur, CA have in common?

Several people over the weekend brought my attention to an article in the Guardian, which I usually read in any event. This article, however, is not about the politics I usually read, it is about how tourism is destroying Venice, Italy.

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Here is the link to that article: Guardian Article

To entice you to read it, here are a few tidbits:

“Earlier this month an estimated 2,000 Venetians marched against a tourism industry they argue has eroded their quality of life, that is damaging the environment and driving residents away: Venice’s population has fallen from about 175,000 in the post-second world war years to 55,000 today.”

Here in Big Sur, the tourist industry and media accounts are still referring to the same “3 million visitors a year” model that they were using in 1985 when I first moved here. No update on the number of visitors Big Sur is expected to entertain has been provided in the 32 years I have lived here, and it has tripled, quadrupled, or more, in my  conservative estimation, during that time. If Nepenthe is serving 1000 meals a day in normal years, as has been claimed in all the recent news articles, then every single one of the  3 million people coming to Big Sur plus a 1/2 million more, are stopping at that establishment each year, and we know that while Nepenthe is an icon, everyone does not stop there. In fact, most do not.

“… Residents were hoping that Unesco would send a strong signal to the authorities by following through with a threat to place the world heritage site on its endangered list. Instead, the organisation recently granted the city another year to come up with measures to protect its monuments and preserve its fragile environment.

‘It feels as if we’re at a point of no return because it’s already out of control,’ said Beltrame. He would like tourist numbers to be limited, while focusing on improving the quality and promoting the city as a hub for scientific and maritime research.”

Here, we already have the Aquarium, the Marine Sanctuary, and maritime research, and more research on the fragility of our environment, the endangered species that call Big Sur home is needed.

Has the degradation of the experience of Big Sur for locals and tourists alike reached the point of no return here, as well? If we were a UNESCO site,  would we be put on their endangered list?

Come to the Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council’s next meeting on August 11th, 2017 and share in the conversation. Details and Agenda will be posted when made available.

Brush Fire-Gilroy, 7/23/17

9 pm – Fire ran upslope in grass, hit the ridge, burned down the east slope under oak canopy where they got retardant around the head, C106 and C406 finished it off with quick turns out of a large ranch pond. Fast work on this one. Whew.

Fire crews are responding to a brush fire south of Gilroy on Sunday afternoon. The blaze is burning off Castro Valley Road, west of Highway 101, near Gavilan College. It’s not threatening the college. It started around 4 p.m., quickly spreading to 20 acres. There’s currently no containment. At 8 pm, it is up to 150 acres and 30% containment.

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Sunday Photographs, 7/23/17

These were taken Friday night, the night of the most amazing green orb and flash.

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The one below was taken shortly after the green orb sank into the horizon with a flash of bright green. You have to take my word on that, no photograph in time.

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Soberanes Fire, One year later

For many of us, this date will hit us hard, some will cry, some will silently remember whether they want to or not. None of us will forget where we were and what we were doing. Many, many people sent me photographs this day, some are posted on my first blog post here and then I did a second post when the evacuation of Palo Colorado was ordered that evening with even more photographs. It is here.

From that moment on, this fire took over our lives for months, and is still affecting us today, a year later. Take a moment in your day today to think about this land we love and what she has had to endure this last year and do a ceremony or ritual or simple prayer for her healing. She is in even more need now than she was then. Keep her in your thoughts today and every day. Don’t let her be overrun. NOTHING is more important than the land that brought us all here – locals and visitors alike.

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That square spot is a house. Photo by Kodiak Greenwood, sent to me by Lisa Kleissner.

Unless there is another Mud Creek or Soberanes today, I am taking it off to be quiet and reflect and honor Big Sur.

Monterey Co Visitors Bureau outreach

Here are some of the things the Monterey County Visitors and Convention Bureau are doing to educate visitors to Big Sur. Check out these resources when you have a minute. Thanks, MCVCB. Now, if we could just find a way to channel some of the advertising budgets of all these organizations into some ON-THE-GROUND action, like porta potties, trash receptacles, extra patrols by MCSO to ticket those who are breaking the law by camping on the side of the road, or worse, building campfires,. then we would finally have something real going. With  all  the tourists dollars Big Sur brings in to the entire county, some of it needs to be spent here to make the visitors experience more enjoyable. This outreach is a start, but it is only a start.

SeeMonterey.com homepage has a link to a Big Sur microsite that is loaded with the latest information, maps, tips and suggestions ranging from fire/smoking restrictions to FAQs on responsible tourism. See that page here: https://www.seemonterey.com/resources/travel-alert/#sm.0002nsm037hcea110tx17oyjr82hg
• We’ve also created a special Travel Like a Big Sur Expert page with “Dos and Don’ts” – https://www.seemonterey.com/regions/big-sur/big-sur-sustainable/#sm.0002nsm037hcea110tx17oyjr82hg
• We created a Sustainable Moments video series that features Big Sur – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJtR8T1k8yo
• Our Visitor Center is getting about 4000 people a week right now – more than half inquire about Big Sur and we use it as an opportunity to educate them on experiencing Big Sur in a safe and responsible way
• We work with a handful of regional partners ranging from Visitor California to the Central Coast Tourism Council to other CVBs and agencies – attached is an example of a Market Situation Report (MSR) we regularly distribute. With Visit California we update on a weekly basis.
• We constantly update and monitor social channels. On our Facebook page we reach over 100,000 people (and by extension tens of thousands more) with messaging about Big Sur, how to visit and how to do so responsibly. Below is a recent post.
• We’ve been running a significant amount of advertising and paid social posts to promote how enjoy Big Sur in safe and responsible ways. And we’re running paid advertising within Monterey County to reach visitors already in our destination.
• Supervisor Mary Adams is heading up the developing situation and working with Caltrans, Parks and others. MCCVB has been a part of that working group since day. We supported and helped facilitate and promote the new shuttle service designed to mitigate single car traffic – and we support carrying this on beyond the road closures.
• Our PR team is proactively reaching out to journalists around the globe to push a balanced message – Big Sur is open and visit smartly, safely and responsibly.
• An example of getting the message out about balanced tourism growth is this article in Edible Monterey – http://ediblemontereybay.com/our-newsletter-sponsors-spotlight/sustainable-moments-strengthen-local-tourism/
• We’ve created a ‘resource kit’ for all our members with a variety of tools and tips designed to promote responsible tourism throughout Monterey County – https://www.seemonterey.com/members/tools/sustainable-moments/#sm.0002nsm037hcea110tx17oyjr82hg

I don’t mean to overwhelm you. And there is more… But want to give you and others answers for when asked “What is MCCVB doing?”.

While we are very focused on educating travelers about Big Sur – we need to look for more ways to inform and educate our residents on what we are doing and how to collaborate. We are open to more ideas and more collaboration, so be we’ll reach out to Big Sur Kate as well. If you have any further thoughts or questions, please let us know…

Big Sur Pop-up Weekend at the Vineyard in Carmel Valley

From Deetjen’s…

I hope this … finds you well! As you might have heard, Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn is still closed, but our spirits are still active and optimistic!

Our friends from the Big Sur Vineyards will be hosting a “Big Sur Weekend” in their Carmel Valley Tasting Room on July 21-23, 2017.

Between fires, floods, downed bridges, and mud slides, the Big Sur community has had a challenging year. We invite you to come out and support Big Sur businesses, while celebrating Big Sur Vineyard’s 1st year Anniversary in Carmel Valley!

Please join us for PopUp Lunch/Dinner with Domingo will be serving a selection of delectable dishes. No tickets are require and Cash and Check are preferred at our table!

Hope to see you too, and bring your appetite!!

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Fire Restrictions, Level 3 LPNF

NEWS RELEASE
Los Padres National Forest
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Madsen
Twitter: @LosPadresNF
Elevated Fire Restrictions Take Effect in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, CA, July 19, 2017…Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Level III fire restrictions will go into effect immediately. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until this Forest Order expires:

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest.

Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.)

For further information regarding current conditions and safety tips, please contact your nearest Forest Service office. A list of designated Campfire Use Sites is available on the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.

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Forest Service Shield

Lee Beyer
Recreation Technician
Forest Service

Cal Trans Closure Map

I would remind visitors that there are no campgrounds north of Paul’s Slide – the last available campground when proceeding north from Nacimiento is Limekiln State Park, and the only lodging available is at Lucia Lodge and Post Ranch, south of the bridge. Additionally, there is no camping along the Highway One corridor anywhere in Big Sur. NO CAMPFIRES OR CHARCOAL STOVES ANYWHERE IN BIG SUR. Locals are quite nervous after last year’s Soberanes Fire and this year’s floods, mudslides, and road closures and will be reporting all violators to the appropriate agencies. Be a conscientious visitor, and you will be welcomed. Be a clueless, careless one? You will not.

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