Henry Miller Memorial Library

Henry Miller Lilbrary is more than a library, it is a the heart of the Big Sur community. They offer some great events including the Big Sur Fashion Show. Get on their email list to see what’s on.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the smell. Upon entering the library/​bookstore, I couldn’t help inhaling deeply: the soothing scent is a mixture of the ancient redwoods and the ink on the book pages. The staff was friendly too.

Brilliant jewel of a place on an amazing drive.
I was even more fortunate to enjoy a live performance from singer songwriter «Beatie Wolfe» in this magical venue. Cinco Estrellas

Best library in California. Where thoughts convert into printed words that mate with pulp. Vegan, gluten free, and dolphin safe.

Stopped here without knowing much beforehand, only that the rock-​stacking guy up the road said we should! Personally, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was kind of magical and special. I did not know much about Henry Miller prior, so I don’t know what that says about this review, but I thought it was a neat collection of beat-​related books as well as some about the area. If you are a Henry Miller fan I think you will especially like some of the letters and small relics all around. I liked the cozy setup, the mountainous feel, and the really cool fluffy cat (there was also a dog). They had a decent selection of coffee and tea in front for a donation. I bought a book and I hope to return in the future.

I looked at reviews before I posted, and I can see the audience is really split between vitriol and kisses for this place. I think this is because visitors all arrive with their own expectations, and leave pleasantly surprised or deeply disappointed. So, to help you temper those expectations a little, here’s what you can actually anticipate:
— This is not a library, it is a bookstore, located within a free-​spirited artistic and natural setting.
— You can come here to look at books, look at art, sit outside under some beautiful trees and drink a coffee.
— They also offer stage shows in a very intimate outdoor setting.
— This is not a shrine to a dead writer, but more a space for living creativity, reflection, and expression in the space that inspired him.
If you are driving along the coast, stop here, sit on a couch under a Redwood, look at the crazy art, and feel a little of what California in the 60’s would have been like.

This is the cutest little place. I didn’t even know it existed until we saw it on our way home and decided to stop. It’s so quiet and serene. It looked like they did events and held shows. It would be an amazing place to see a band play!

I went here and had a very negative sentiment upon leaving. As a huge fan of Miller’s books and his legacy in general, this place is just a disgrace.
Where to begin… It felt like I had just visited the Branch Davidian compound, and the place was just being run by a bunch of twats who didn’t have/​want real jobs. There is no «library» to speak of, and you can barely understand what anything has to do with the great Henry Miller. The place is run down, with random trash, tarps, and barbecue grills strewn about the property. The people who run the place appear to be vagrants or vagabonds, and actually camp out on the property at night, every night. They hang their clothes out to dry on clotheslines during business hours (seriously) and sing kumbayaa, I suppose. All of this makes the place unsightly, and they are unapologetic about it; it really has a lived-​in feel, in a bad way. Overall, it is reminiscent of one of those neighbors everybody has had at one point who parks five cars on his yard and puts them up on cinder blocks. I agree with one of the previous posters who say that someone from Miller’s estate should sue whoever runs this dump. It made me angry. Just avoid the place.

stumbled upon this by accident while cruising up PCH. WHAT A FIND! absolutely gorgeous setting, plenty of outside seating for longing and reading. beautiful views in every direction. art installments, books, tshirts, etc. super friendly and helpful staff. took a spot on a long bench outside and read in the shade of the redwoods. i could’ve stayed for hours. definitely worth a stop!

I heart One Direction.
I have only been here three [3] times. There was no mobile reception; so no check-​ins tethered to this review to support patronage. Take my word for it, I’ve been here.
You ever been somewhere and you wish in retrospect you never had? You wish that they would stop spamming you with electronic mail? You wish that the establishment itself just went under and never opened its wooden gates to the public again? Well, you would know how I feel if that were the case.
Henry Miller Memorial Library:
— You disgrace Henry Miller’s very name with your continued existence. You are a squatter on the good name and sentiment conjured by the words of the gentleman.
— You exploit the exclusivity of your business name and a confused public who cannot easily decipher if you are a library or not. (You are about as much as a library as the Las Vegas gentleman’s club «The Library» is.)
— You don’t know how to run shows, and should not be entrusted to do so by booking agents and artists passing through California.
What I am saying (writing) is that the Henry Miller Memorial Library is terrible. Tuuurrrrrible.
Pro Tip: There is a Macintosh out back where one may log on to the world wide webs.

It really isn’t a library, more of a bookstore and an event space. We were hoping that there would be a concert or reading here while we were in Big Sur but unfortunately there wasn’t.
We stopped by anyway and browsed through the bookstore for a bit. I bought a copy of Tropic of Cancer even though I already own it. Seemed like the thing to do at the time, so I did it.

The Library really captures the culture of Big Sur in a positive and personal way. There are two parts to the library: the events and the library itself. The library itself is inviting, and you can perch up in the area for as long as you would like to relax for. And if there is an event, then even better, because this is where this venue comes alive. It is hard to really describe the essence of this magical place; it is definitely something that you have to experience on your own to form any true opinion.

The staff isn’t really friendly till they have your money in their hand. People are like living in tents on the side… Everyone thinks they are super cool. It’s ok and different but I don’t know… They took it too far with the clothesline hanging of laundry on the side of the building. I love weird hip little spots but not when they’re so annoyingly thinking they are too cool. Sorry. 3 stars is all I can do … and that’s a star too many I think but I’m in a good mood.

Great place. Beautiful, informal setting in the redwoods. I’ve been there twice now – once for a wedding, and once for an author’s book reading.

I had no desire to come here. was I wrong. there is a magic in this a magic in this quaint rustic library.. Just wonderful. We returned three times during our three day stay in Big Sur. one of our favorite places on our 2014 road trip.. Super nice guy at the desk to. Remembered us Everytime… Donate!

Went to the library on Wednesday, February 19^th around 2:30 or 4:30pm.
I was really excited for this place, until I entered the actual library. I had my medium sized, well-​behaved dog with me (who I may add is an Emotional Support Animal). We entered, and the girl at the front desk (short black hair) who didn’t say hi, nor looked up from her computer to greet me except to say, «your dog will have to stay outside,» with the rudest attitude. I said back, «okay then, I guess we’ll leave.» I walked down the steps and I asked her «did henry miller have a dog?» She replied, «I don’t think so» in the snoodiest manner. I won’t be going back, until I get an apology and the staff is cleaned up. Also, here is a link to a website that says the library is dog-​friendly. Obviously I know its from 2012, but hey, its still up.
Come on guys, what would henry miller do?

A big waste of time — even for a Miller aficionado. It seems to me that someone who knew Miller is taking a half-​hearted swipe at capitalizing on that association. Very little Henry Miller-​anything apparent; books are sold; posters hang… If they’d charged, we’d’ve demanded a refund.
Someone should sue on Miller’s behalf.

Saw Bat for Lashes here in April. What a night! If a band you like is playing here you need to go! It’s a concert experience like no other! Pure ocean/​redwood/​starry sky magic!
Tips: you’re going to have to park alongside Hwy 1 and cross the road (not as scary as it sounds). You may want to bring a flashlight with you cause it gets pretty dark out there and you don’t want to end the night by tripping on a large rock. Bring a blanket to sit on if you want to sit down… but I recommend you stand up and dance instead, live a little!

To say this place is weird doesn’t do it justice.
There is definitely some preternatural spiritual energy emanating from within the gated walls of this evergreen-​shaded alcove…
But seriously, this place gives me the heeby jeebies. However, that’s not to say that it’s not worth visiting. it’s definitely worth a stop if you’re in the Big Sur area. In fact, you’d be remiss not to at least stop by… you could see the whole place in 5 minutes or less.
The Henry Miller Memorial Library is not a library at all (at least not in the conventional sense). Then again, that’s very fitting seeing as how this place is anything BUT conventional.
It’s one part bookstore… one part homage to Henry Miller (nationally acclaimed local writer)…one part performance arts stage… one part outdoor reading area… one part alternative art «museum»…one part indie movie screening area… one part nature hideaway.
It’s one part all things to no one in particular.
Literary enthusiasts, hipsters, and Miller adorees would probably love this place. City-slickers…not so much.
But like I said, definitely worth a visit.

The cottage has books and records, etc. Concerts are held outdoors on the very small stage – it’s a 300-​ticket venue. The Flaming Lips played here on 9.11.12, and considering that they are becoming better known for the spectacle of their shows than their music, it seemed a minor miracle that they were able to downsize enough to fit. They hoisted their huge mirror ball between two redwood trees!
There was no seating, which is the way it should be at a FLips show. Wayne surfed the crowd in the space bubble, lights blazed, balloons bounced, confetti flew. I had two glasses of decent white wine in a plastic cup (the guy thanked me for bringing mine back for the refill) and quite a bit of secondhand weed smoke. After the sun went down, the air was moist and cool. The stars came out. My new friend got friendlier. The place seemed magical.
If your favorite band is slated to play the HMML, my advice is to go, by any means possible. I don’t know how you could get any closer to the musicians without physically being on stage with them.