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1956 Map of Big Sur

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Big Sur
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1970
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1970

About this map

Pico Blanco dominates the skyline in this mid-century survey of the Monterey coast, serving as a focal point for the complex drainage systems of the Little Sur River and the Big Sur River. The landscape is a mix of protected wildlands and remote outposts, including Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp and Jackson Camp along the river forks. Coastal access is defined by the winding path of the Old Coast Road and the Sierra Grade, which provided essential transit before the modern highway system fully reshaped the region's accessibility.

Near the shoreline, The California Sea Otter State Game Refuge reflects early conservation efforts along the Pacific Ocean front. Deep in the interior, family-named landmarks like Bonifacio Hill and Comings Cabin hint at the area's early homesteading and ranching history. The map also captures the boundaries of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, illustrating the established recreational and ecological value of the redwood-lined canyons long before the area became a global tourist destination.