Stop Motion at Nepenthe, Big Sur

I love the accidental stop motion effect in this photo. We were enjoying a perfect afternoon at Nepenthe in Big Sur. It’s one of the few places I don’t mind waiting an hour for a table.

Nepenthe, Big Sur

These condiments enjoy one of the best views on Earth, at Nepenthe in Big Sur.

A Celebration of Elizabeth Taylor: An Interview with Romney Steele

Yesterday, in honor of the first anniversary of Elizabeth Taylor’s death, the Central Coast Traveler wrote about one of her films, “The Sandpiper,” one of the rare studio pictures actually filmed in Big Sur. “The Sandpiper” is notable for another reason: it staged a pivotal scene at the real-world restaurant Nepenthe (or at least a soundstage simulacrum of it). The DVD extras include a short film of Taylor and her co-star Burton at the real Nepenthe, mingling with Big Sur locals.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, in “The Sandpiper.” In this scene they’re seated at a table in Nepenthe (the soundstage version, not the real one).

Since its opening in 1949, Nepenthe has been the social hub of Big Sur, drawing poets, artists, actors and other creative people from throughout the world.

A Celebration of Elizabeth Taylor: Her Big Sur Film “The Sandpiper”

The incomparable Elizabeth Taylor, who died exactly a year ago today, starred in a film made on the Central Coast nearly 50 years ago. Taylor was a glamorous beauty, talented actor, collector of husbands and jewels, and fierce protector of her friends Rock Hudson and Michael Jackson when the public turned on them. She lived her life exactly the way she wanted, made no apologies for it, and left behind a legacy of memorable films. “The Sandpiper,” shot in and around Big Sur in 1964 and released in 1965, is not one of them. The movie is notable today for its pairing of Taylor with Richard Burton just months after their first wedding in a blaze of international publicity, and stunning Big Sur location shots like this:

“The Sandpiper.” Point Sur is in the background.

The Central Coast Traveler is drawn to “The Sandpiper” because it’s one of the few studio films ever shot in Big Sur, not because of the plot or script.

Webcams of the Central Coast

Visit the Central Coast in your pajamas! There’s no substitute for being there, but when you can’t, or just want to check the weather in advance before your next trip, log on to a webcam. These are three of the Central Coast Traveler’s favorites:

Pebble Beach Golf Course

Pismo Beach Hotel

Nepenthe Restaurant, Big Sur

For more Central Coast webcams, check out this website.

A Trip Along the Central Coast: Day 5, Nepenthe Review

Part 17 in a series.

In yesterday’s post, The Central Coast Traveler asked you to identify the place in the photo.  If you guessed Nepenthe, congratulations!  The Traveler’s tour of the Central Coast was coming to an end, and we spent our final day at Pfeiffer Beach, followed by lunch at Nepenthe, a restful afternoon at the Post Ranch Inn, and a fabulous dinner at Sierra Mar, the Post Ranch restaurant.

Nepenthe terrace

A Blue Jay Ate My Burger at Nepenthe!

The restaurant Nepenthe has been a Big Sur institution since the 1950’s, and was immortalized in the 1965 Elizabeth Taylor film “The Sandpiper.”  Its Ambrosia Burger is legendary.  Romney Steele recently authored a fabulous cookbook/memoir about the place titled My Nepenthe.  Now it’s also infamous for the burger-stealing Blue Jays!  And I have the shocking photos to prove it.