Trending Now - Big Sur Gas Station Hits $10 a Gallon Amid Rising Costs
WHO:
San Francisco Chronicle - Leo Flores, owner of the gas station at Gorda by the Sea.
Los Angeles Times - Leo Flores, owner of the gas station and mini-market.
WHAT:
San Francisco Chronicle - The gas station in Big Sur is charging $9.99 per gallon for gasoline.
San Francisco Chronicle - The national average for regular gas is $4.091 per gallon, while California's average is $5.895 per gallon.
Los Angeles Times - The average cost of gas in Los Angeles County is about $6 per gallon.
Los Angeles Times - Flores stated that the price of gas at his station is limited by the pump's software, which only goes to $10.
Los Angeles Times - Flores mentioned that his generators consume five to six gallons of gasoline every hour.
WHERE:
San Francisco Chronicle - Gorda by the Sea, Big Sur, California.
Los Angeles Times - The gas station is located along Highway 1, the only gas station for at least 12 miles in any direction.
WHEN:
San Francisco Chronicle - The gas station's prices have drawn attention as of April 2026.
San Francisco Chronicle - The highway was closed for three years due to landslides, starting in 2023, and fully reopened in January 2026.
WHY:
San Francisco Chronicle - The high prices are attributed to the costs of operating an off-grid business, reliance on gasoline-powered generators, and logistical challenges in fuel delivery.
Los Angeles Times - Flores expressed concern that rising gas prices could threaten the viability of his business.
HOW:
San Francisco Chronicle - The community surrounding the gas station operates on gasoline-powered generators due to lack of access to a power grid.
Los Angeles Times - Flores has considered using solar panels for electricity but finds the initial costs prohibitive.
(UPDATED April 4, 2026 21:04 UTC)
In Gorda by the Sea, Big Sur, California, the gas station owned by Leo Flores is charging an eye-popping $9.99 per gallon for gasoline, significantly higher than the national average of $4.091 and California's average of $5.895. Flores explained that this steep price is due to the operational costs of running an off-grid business, relying on gasoline-powered generators, and the logistical challenges of fuel delivery, especially since his station is the only one for at least 12 miles along Highway 1. He has considered switching to solar panels for electricity, but the initial investment is proving to be a barrier, and he worries that rising gas prices could threaten the viability of his business.