History

Bixby Bridge (then Rainbow Bridge) built 1931

Rainbow Lodge and "Rainbow Bridge" - Now Bixby Bridge. Digital image. Big Sur Coast Properties. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bigsurcoastproperties.com/history>.

Big Sur Today


OVERVIEW

Historically the Big Sur region was populated with several Native American tribes with more members than there are inhabitants today. The late eighteenth century saw Spanish occupation slowly wiping out Native American populations, eventually giving way to Mexican control in 1821. This era was the introduction to human development in Big Sur, spurred by a growing lumber industry in an industrial boom towards the end of the nineteenth century. Highway 1 was completed in 1937, allowing mainstream access to become much easier. However throughout this development, human induced environmental impact was at a very minimum. This is partly due to the inaccessibility of the Big Sur area, with its rocky, mountainous terrain and lack of developed roads; but it was upheld by Monterey County's strict land use rules and the residents that worked hard to prevent excessive development or industry. Billboards are not allowed in the area, and new construction visible from Highway 1 is prohibited. There are no urban centers and the economy is based solely on tourism, often those just passing through. The population of today is around 1,000 according to the 2000 census (www.bigsurcalifornia.org).

Intertidal Zone History

Historically, the intertidal region of Big Sur looked relatively similar to that of today. However, it featured higher biodiversity, greater sea otter and seal populations, and cleaner water.