The man had set out with a hiking partner at about 7 a.m. Saturday and planned to head from Arroyo Seco Road to Coast Ridge Road at state Highway 1 by sundown, the sheriff's office said.
However, the man twisted his knee on Coast Ridge Road and was unable to continue the hike. His hiking companion went on in an effort to find help.
The sheriff's office was notified at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday by the injured hiker's wife that he was missing and she had received a text message, telling her he was hurt and his friend was going to find help, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office and the Big Sur Fire Brigade managed to find the friend and located the injured hiker at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday. After being brought to safety, he declined medical attention and returned to Salinas with his hiking partner, according to the sheriff's office.
