Entry No. 37 — the Monterey file — filed under: ruins

Historic Lime Kilns

Tucked deep within a redwood canyon in Limekiln State Park, these four massive, rusted iron-and-stone furnaces are the ruins of a late-19th-century industrial operation. Built in 1887 by the Rockland Lime and Lumber Company, they were used to extract lime from limestone to supply cement for San Francisco's construction boom. Today, the towering, moss-covered structures stand abandoned and are slowly being reclaimed by the forest.

The move: Take a scenic hike along the shaded Limekiln Trail through towering coastal redwoods to photograph the historic, rusted furnaces and enjoy a picnic by the creek.

📍 Before you go The kilns are located within Limekiln State Park and are legally accessible to the public via a well-maintained hiking trail.

• 📍 Big Sur
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current access before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia · californiathroughmylens.com

last checked: 2026-07-20