Foraging — in this case the act of hunting and gathering mushrooms, wild herbs and edible flowers in the woods — is practically an artform in Big Sur. The embodiment and celebration of that artform is the annual Big Sur Foragers Festival.

In the interest of community safety, the festival will not be held in person at its usual home, the Big Sur River Inn. Instead organizers of the festival will hold mushroom hikes, post-hike brunches and an online marketplace with various levels of discounted options depending on the donors ability and desire to pay. Marketplace items include artwork, quilts, hand-knit sweaters and hats, gift baskets, hotel stays, restaurant dinners and home-pickled vegetables.

All items in the online store have been donated by supporters of Big Sur Health Center, and all of the sales go to Big Sur Health Center.

A hike with Santa Cruz mushroom expert Dr. Phil Carpenter has been added and will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. Meet at the Big Sur River Inn parking lot, north of the gas station, on Highway 1. Whether you take the hike or not you are still welcome to attend the brunch at noon after the hike.

Lisa Haas and her crew will start the event with their now-famous and very popular and extensive wild mushroom display and educational introduction. Tickets for the hike are $60, with 35 spaces available. The Beer and Brunch (wine available for non-beer drinkers) will be held at noon at the Big Sur River Inn. Tickets are $50.

These popular event fill up rapidly, so register now! Learn more about the exciting Big Sur Foragerʻs Festival event here.

COVID-19: All CDC recommendations will be followed in order to protect the health and safety of participants during both events.