No harbors offer deep-sea charters around Big Sur, but if your idea of the perfect outdoor vacation must include a rod and reel, you can choose between shore and river fishing.

Steelhead run up the Big Sur River to spawn each year, and a limited fishing season follows them up the river into Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and other accessible areas. Check with Fernwood Resort (831/667-2422, www.fernwoodbigsur.com) and the other lodges around Highway 1 for the best spots this season.

The numerous creeks that feed into and out of the Big Sur River also play home to their fair share of fish. Cast for trout in the creeks of Pfeiffer Big Sur and other clear-water streams in the area. The California Department of Fish and Game (www.dfg.ca.gov) can give you specific locations for legal fishing, season information, and rules and regulations.

If you prefer the fish from the ocean, you can cast off several of the beaches for the rock fish that scurry about in the near-shore reefs. Garrapata State Beach has a good fishing area, as do the beaches at Sand Dollar.