Nepenthe Big Sur

09/03/2026

Our isle of no sorrow welcomes you back ❤️ As of today Nepenthe, Cafe Kevah, and The Phoenix Shop are reopen!

The Big Sur community remains strong and we are grateful for all the love and support we have received from all those that love Big Sur. As the Timber Fire & Plaskett Fire remain active, we ask that our guests and all travelers be mindful of fire crews and all posted signage. Please stay safe, we are grateful to welcome you back!

09/01/2026

08/27/2026

Beginning August 27th, Nepenthe, Café Kevah and The Phoenix Shop will be CLOSED.

The Highway is closed from Captain Cooper to Gorda, due to Timber Fire emergency response and the new Plaskett Fire

We will update as soon as we are able to.

Please keep Big Sur and all of the incredible folks working tirelessly to keep Big Sur safe in your thoughts.

If you are looking for ways to donate to your beloved Big Sur...
- Big Sur Fire - https://www.bigsurfire.org/
- Community Association of Big Sur - https://www.cabigsur.org/
- Monterey County Relief Fund - https://cfmco.org/.../monterey-county-fire-relief-fund/
- Big Sur Health Center - https://www.bigsurhealthcenter.org/
- The Big Share - https://www.thebigsurbigshare.com/
- Mid Coast Fire Brigade - https://www.midcoastfirebrigade.org/
- Ventana Wildlife Society - https://www.ventanaws.org/
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FORTY-MILE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 1 IN BIG SUR CLOSED
TO SUPPORT TIMBER AND PLASKETT FIRE OPERATIONS

MONTEREY COUNTY – As of 4 pm Thursday, August 27, a forty-mile stretch of Highway 1 is closed to support Timber and Plaskett Fire emergency response.

Due to Timber Fire emergency response and the new Plaskett Fire emergency response along the Big Sur coastline, Highway 1 is now closed from Gorda at Post Mile 10.2 to just north of Captain Cooper Elementary at Post Mile 50.1 to facilitate firefighting and evacuation operations.

08/23/2026

Highway 1 has now fully reopened! We are thankful for all those that have shown their support and love for Big Sur. We hope to welcome you back soon.

Please be mindful of fire crews and all posted signage, the Timber Fire continues to be an active fire, and the accessibility of Highway 1 is vital. Stay safe! ❤️

If you are looking for ways to donate to your beloved Big Sur...
- Big Sur Fire - https://www.bigsurfire.org/
- Community Association of Big Sur - https://www.cabigsur.org/
- Monterey County Relief Fund - https://cfmco.org/.../monterey-county-fire-relief-fund/
- The Big Share - https://www.thebigsurbigshare.com/
- Mid Coast Fire Brigade - https://www.midcoastfirebrigade.org/
- Ventana Wildlife Society - https://www.ventanaws.org/

08/20/2026

Nepenthe and The Phoenix Shop are grateful to open today (Thursday the 20th) as we welcome back our amazing staff and guests. Café Kevah will open on Monday the 24th

Please keep in mind the Timber Fire continues to be an active fire and the Highway is still closed just south of Deetjen’s with other areas still under evacuation orders.

Please be mindful of the brave fire crews and adhere to all posted signage.

08/18/2026

Like the mighty Phoenix...we will rise again! We are safe from the fire and looking forward to opening again soon (when it is safe to do so) to our community and our guests.

Thank you for all the support and messages...we are so grateful!

We can't express our gratitude enough for the incredibly brave folks at Big Sur Fire, Cal Fire and every other agency that made their way to us to provide support and of course our amazing Big Sur Community! There is nothing like a tough situation to bring our community together to protect each other and provide for each other in times like these.

If you are looking for ways to donate to your beloved Big Sur...

- Big Sur Fire - https://www.bigsurfire.org/
- Community Association of Big Sur - https://www.cabigsur.org/
- Monterey County Relief Fund - https://cfmco.org/news/cfmco_fund_list/monterey-county-fire-relief-fund/
- The Big Share - https://www.thebigsurbigshare.com/
- Mid Coast Fire Brigade - https://www.midcoastfirebrigade.org/
- Ventana Wildlife Society - https://www.ventanaws.org/

08/17/2026

08/14/2026

08/13/2026

08/12/2026

We want to thank everyone who has reached out with your kind messages, concern, and well wishes regarding the Timber Fire in Big Sur.

Due to closures along Highway 1 and an active evacuation order, we have temporarily suspended our restaurant and retail operations. We are closely monitoring the situation as firefighters, emergency crew, law enforcement, and other responding agencies work tirelessly to contain the fire and protect the Big Sur community.

We are incredibly grateful to the brave men and women of Big Sur Fire, CAL FIRE, local law enforcement, and all of the agencies responding to this emergency. Their dedication and unwavering efforts are truly inspiring. We are equally grateful for the strength, generosity, and resilience of our Big Sur community, as neighbors and local businesses continue to come together to support one another during this difficult time.

The safety of our guests, our staff, and our community remains our highest priority. We look forward to welcoming our guests back to Nepenthe as soon as it is safe to do so.
Thank you for your continued support, understanding, and care for Big Sur. ❤️

If you are looking for ways to help:
• Donate to Big Sur Fire
• Donate to the Community Foundation for Monterey County
• Purchase a gift certificate from your favorite Big Sur restaurant to use on a future visit.

For the latest information regarding the Timber Fire:
• https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2026/8/9/timber-fire
• https://www.cabigsur.org/fabs/emergency-info-hub
• https://share.watchduty.org/i/113784?ts=1786375049000