Route 1 - Big Sur Coast Highway Photos
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Dangerous, but worth the risk... Route 1 is a thrilling drive loaded with hiking trails and epic cliffside viewpoint opportunities. Watch out for speeding big rigs barrelling down the road. They have to cross into oncoming traffic on occasion and it will scare the hell out of you (see my pictures). Other dangers include people hard breaking when there's a viewpoint, people going way too slow or too fast. And the biggest risk of all are landslides. This road has major slides that often lead to road closures. - The winter storms of 2019 have forced the shutdown of most of the major hiking trails in the area. Be sure to check the state park websites to what is open and what is closed. - Lttle to no cell phone coverage. - Gas up to full before going on this road. Tip - A great hike and car viewpoint is just off the Nacimiento-Fergusson road. Do a Yelp search form Mill Creek Trail.
This past summer of 2021, I finally had the opportunity to drive this Route Highway 1 or otherwise known as Cabrillo Highway running down the California coast from the Carmel/Monterey area south to roughly San Simeon, CA. In total, I'd say the drive covers about 95 miles, but obviously there's plenty of stops to make to appreciate the sights and surroundings along the edge of the Pacific Ocean waters. Just to back up one moment...I was driving south and before I started the journey...I spent the prior day covering the famous road known as 17 Mile Drive through the golf course area of Pebble Beach, California enjoying the rugged and scenic California coastline. 17 Mile Drive was a good starting introduction for now being here at Route 1/Cabrillo Highway to admire more expansive views from high above the cliff's edge of this winding and twisting road. Another detail I'd like to mention is that I was here visiting/driving back in the middle of August and unfortunately for a majority of the day the skies were overcast with clouds and fog so...I never ultimately got those magical moments for the sun to be shining brightly upon the ocean's colorfully blue waters. This was a letdown, but it wasn't meant to be, I guess. Though...the prior day on 17 Mile Drive I had a beautifully sunny day without a cloud in the sky. My advice would be just to check the weather forecast prior to making this Route 1 Drive. I'll just highlight some of the best stops I made along the drive...mostly they were just scenic overlooks. I wanted to stop at some of the parks and waterfalls and also do some hiking, but unbelievably the road was SO CROWDED with visitors and tourists there were literally NO PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE at a lot of the major attractions. And...since Route 1/Cabrillo Highway is a one-lane road in each direction, it's quite difficult to stop in the middle of it all for cars ahead to pull into some of the landmarks without causing major traffic jams. In the end...being around too many cars and populations of people gets me very jittery, so I just gladly moved onto the next scenic sight without second thought. Because of the tough weather conditions and too many cars being on the road...I only give this prominent Route 1/Cabrillo Highway drive down the California coast 4 stars instead of the full 5. - Point Lobos - I missed it. The parking lot was full and way too much congestion in the area. - China Lookout - cool viewpoint. - Painters Point - worthwhile overlook. - Bixby Creek Bridge - FANTASTIC! The best and most memorable stop along Route 1. This bridge area and incredible observation point is like the true essence of what you can expect to find along California's coastline. It's crowded here. Park on the side of the road as best you can. - Hurricane Point View - very nice especially if on a clear day. - Partington Cove - fell a little flat for me. - Julia Pfeifer Burns State Park Vista Point - had such great potential for scenery. Just too cloudy during my stop here. - McWay Falls and Canyon Falls - parking lots were completely full. Too bad. - Big Creek Bridge - yes, another terrific looking suspension bridge in the distance! - The viewpoint just after Big Creek Bridge heading south. There's no name for this roadside pullover. It's located about a 1/2 mile down the road. Drive slowly not to miss it. - Willow Creek Picnic Ground - good stop for views. - Salmon Creek Falls - no parking. - Black Swift Waterfalls - I skipped. - Ragged Point Scenic View and Nature Trail - located behind the Ragged Point Inn. Stunning overlook. Definitely worthy of a photo from the edge of the cliffside. - Elephant Seal Vista Viewing Point - my second favorite stop along Route 1 behind #1 ranked Bixby Creek Bridge. Here you park in the lot and walk to a boardwalk viewpoint for undisturbed perspectives of elephant seals lying on the beach shores in their natural habitats. So surreal to be here. The seals were active for late afternoon. Tons of seals on the beach. A MUST-DO! - A couple of pleasant looking viewpoints just past Elephant Seal Point. You can stop at a few of them to exit your car briefly and appreciate the beach shores...especially in late afternoon the suns reflections created optimal photo moments. Overall, that pretty much completes this Route 1 - Cabrillo Highway expedition down the California coast. Some stops were epic like Bixby Creek Bridge and Elephant Seal Overlook. Other areas like Point Lobos and Pfeifer Burns State Park were just too crowded for my liking. However you decide to navigate this iconic road (north or south), my only suggestion is that you make this journey on a bright and sunny day.
This is NOT the road to take when you are in a rush. This is the road where the driving itself is the experience! lo Must say that I read here some really cool and amazing review, and some amazing photos. I am not a great writer or photographer, but I love this road, drove it so many times, and never had enough. Whenever I am driving it with someone that it is their first time here, none can remain relaxed and not be amazed by this gorgesous and beautiful road. A MUST!
Coming from a city that has absolutely nothing even close to this kind of drive, I can def say that I was in awe the entire time. I've traveled a lot, but I've never seen such beauty before (well maybe in Hawaii - there is a nice scenic drive in Kauai). I was staying in Monterey for a few days, so on our second day, my brother-in-law took us for a "drive" along Highway 1 where most of the day was spent stopping at pretty much every stop that we could. He said I was spending way too much time at our first few stops and that its only going to get better as the drive continues. I didn't believe him, but he was completely right. My favorite is definitely the Bixby Bridge stop - it's the famous bridge that was built in 1932 and many car commercials have been filmed there. I actually saw one on TV this past week and it was really awesome because I was JUST there! Along the drive, there is a restaurant called the Ventana that's located on top of a mountain and has the most beautiful view - it was our lunch spot and I can't give enough stars to describe the perfect experience we shared! We also stopped by Big Sur Village for a bathroom break - inside are a couple local shops, a place to eat, and a creek. This creek has permanent chairs where people were relaxing, eating, and just enjoying nature. It was super cool to see this kind of thing and I got to dip my feet for a bit :) It also smelled really good, but I cannot comment on the food because we did not eat there. The next day, we went to Hearst Castle - it was pretty cool, but I can say it was my least favorite day. In order to get to the castle, you have to drive along this highway for about 2/2.5 hours until you reach San Simeon, CA. About a couple of miles before you reach that destination, there is another MUST stop called the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery - it's absolutely insane to see so many elephant seals in one place... they were digging themselves in the sand, fighting, mating...?, and there was hundreds of them. My only warning is that it's pretty damn SMELLY.. so be prepared. By the way, towards the end of this drive, the road gets INSANELY curvy and pretty scary at times - especially when there are crazy people on bicycles driving along. On our way back, the sun was starting to set so we stopped at this one location so I could get a good picture of it. It's a stop called Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - MUST STOP AS WELL! We were really tired, but somehow we ended up wandering inside the park (we left our car on the side of the road). About 15 minutes or so into the walk, you enter an area where there is a beautiful waterfall along the beach. It's not Niagara Falls, but it's just amazing to see what nature creates. It's not a difficult hike by any means and I am so happy we accidentally found it. I am really jealous of people who live close to Big Sur. It's a wonderful place to get away for a couple days and very romantic. If I ever come to Cali for longer than a week, I would def stay for one night at one of the many resorts available in the Big Sur. Regardless, this is a must destination spot for everyone and I cannot wait to come back!
Highway 1 Big Sur Central Coastal drive is a perfect getaway that one could do with their family/ friends on a pleasant sunny day. It's every Californian's dream leisure drive and of course, so is every tourist's must-do's when they hit the west coast if they've good extra time to drive past this beautiful and most scenic natural wonder!!! Big Sur is approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles, having countless breathtaking views along the way, stretches about 90 miles along the Pacific Ocean. Woahhh!! It was so good to drive along the Pacific Ocean!!! Totally worth it!! Just 3 words, DON'T MISS IT!!!! We (the hubby & me) stopped every few miles at various vista points to catch a glimpse of this most admired beauty of the world. The view of every turnout was stunning too! HIGHLIGHTS of the DRIVE, ~ Bixby Creek Bridge & Bixby Creek Bridge Beach - Pull over on the north end of the bridge to catch mind-blowing view of both the bridge and the cute beach (down the bridge). There's a pull-out parking area, which'l be tightly packed most times, but worth a wait to catch the view. I guess the beach is a private property and it's not easy to get there unless via boat. This is the most famous photographed point and the most admired ones along the highway. ~ River Inn Big Sur, Restaurant & Hotel Service - I recommend people to stop by at this spot for refreshments like hot drinks/ light snack/ meals. Liked their inside setting, very quaint place with impressive antique furnitures and old photographs. There's a small bar area inside. Outdoor seating of the restaurant is the most talked about feature where the creek runs in the middle. Quite relaxing. However, we are yet to try their hotel service. ~ McWay Falls - Located 12 miles south of Big Sur village, in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The uniqueness of this waterfall is that it falls 80 feet straight onto the beach. I liked the beach and the background nature of the spot and not the waterfall part. Honestly, I felt the waterfall rants and raves are quite an exaggeration. It was indeed a spectacular view, but the waterfall is a mere hype. There's a small tunnel along the walking trail towards the waterfall view. At the time of sunset, the point where the tunnel ends got us many silhouette shots surprisingly. So, don't forget to wait and capture as many silhouettes as you can. ~ Pfeiffer Beach - This is people's most favorite spot to capture the dazzling Sunsets. It's a day use area and no overnight camping. To find the exact starting point to the beach is a little trickier one. You need to find the turnout that takes you to the beach on the Sycamore Canyon Road. The beach has a long stretch of sand, cliffs and a large arch-shaped rock with a square hole in the middle. This arch-shaped rock is another famous photographed spot. We both completely enjoyed the beach and the sunset sight behind the arch-shaped rock. Fun tip, Guess what?? you can spot picturesque visuals of this 'Scenic Highway One' in the 1947 classic movie, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir!! When you compare Big Sur shots from the movie with Big Sur's latest photographs, you'l realize how it's charm still magically remains the same till date. Definitely, worth coming back just to enjoy it's tranquillity!!
After going to Nor Cal at least once a year for most of my entire life, I decided it was time for me to make the trip going to Nor Cal via the scenic 101/PCH 1 route this past week. I left from LA around 6:30 AM and did a pit stop at SLO for gas/lunch before continuing to PCH 1. The drive itself going north is "safer" than going south since you are on the inside and not driving right along the cliffs. It wasn't that bad, I just took the tricky curves slowly and not rush things since I was enjoying the view, too. Some pit stops you should definitely take: Elephant Seal Vista Point - there are so many elephant seals and they are either sleeping or playing in the water. If you're lucky, you might even see a whale from a distance. McWay Falls - untouched by humans, you can view McWay Falls from far away. It is a beautiful sight and it will allow you some time to stretch your legs from your car ride. Pfeiffer Beach - $10 entry/car but it is a secluded beach that offers a huge rock to climb, purple sand, and two keyholes in the rock created by the crashing waves. Bixby Creek Bridge - one of the most famous landmark of this scenic route, it was my last leg of the trip before I got back inland and continued my trip away from the coast. 17 Mile Drive in Carmel/Pebble Beach/Monterey - I already did this route on a separate trip so I skipped it this time around but if you haven't been, this is another great addition. More beautiful view of the coast and iconic spots that you must check out (Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach, and Bird Rock). I did this trip on a Wednesday in July so it was less crowded than a weekend trip. There are signs everywhere and gas stations, restaurants, etc every 50 miles or so. Try to avoid the traffic at the merge of the PCH 1 freeway with all the other traffic near Monterey during rush hour (4-6 PM). I got stuck in that and it was not fun.
This drive is a must for anyone who lives in California. It may not be ideal in terms of the amount of time it takes, but this drive should be considered a destination in itself. I've traveled this route once as a passenger back in 2002 and once as a driver just a week ago, and although I may not have traveled the world I can certainly say this is one of the most scenic drives in America. It's probably about a 2.5 hour drive from the southern end at Ragged Point to the Carmel area, but I would allow at least 3.5-4 hours if you plan on stopping and taking pictures at the various vista points along the road (you'll want to). You may even want to consider making an entire day out of it if you plan on visiting Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park or Andrew Molera State Park. Some helpful tips though if you're planning on making this trip: -Fill your gas tank before you head through Big Sur. If you're starting from the South, fill up in San Luis Obispo/Pismo Beach/Arroyo Grande somewhere. From the North, stop off in Monterey or Carmel and fill up here. As someone else already mentioned on here, gas is $2-3 more per gallon in Big Sur. -Give yourself enough time to get to your final destination shortly after sunset. While it's a beautiful drive and also a great place to see the sunset, you won't want to complete too much of this drive in the dark because the roads in Big Sur aren't lit at all. Since there's almost no cell phone reception here, if you have car trouble you're not going to want to run into problems when it's completely dark. -Check the weather conditions before you make your trip. This is not a drive you want to do in the rain, mostly because it would be extremely dangerous but also because you'll miss out on all the beautiful views. Try to go on a sunny day when it isn't foggy, that way you'll be able to enjoy Big Sur the way it should be experienced. -Make sure no one in your car is claustrophobic before making this trip, particularly if you're going Southbound. Parts of the road are literally just feet away from the cliffs. I wasn't bothered by it at all, but I can understand how some people would be. -Food is expensive at the various inns and restaurants along Big Sur, but if you're willing to splurge then check out Nepenthe (lots of reviews on Yelp)
We decided to take the scenic route to and from Monterey. On the way up it was covered in fog and didn't get to see much. It was kind of a slow drive up the winding roads in the fog. Be cautious because it is often so thick it is difficult to see the car right in front of you. But on our way back down the coast it was nothing but gorgeous views all the way down. We made plenty of stops at the scenic outlooks to capture all the beauty and I recommend this to everyone who has yet to stop and see. Just be careful when pulling into and out of the stops, some cars just tend to fly through. Highly recommend you take this route when traveling.
It's been decades since we've done this drive. We usually drive the inland route for the sake of saving time on the road. Since it was just the hubby & I, we took our time and thoroughly enjoyed our drive back south to Los Angeles along the coast. Since I was riding shotgun, I had a wonderful time soaking in all the sights. The hubby had to really concentrate on the road but enjoyed maneuvering the twists and turns. I did offer to drive, but he was having too much fun and doesn't trust my driving skills. (Truth be told, I am a sucky driver these days) He pulled over many times to let others pass so that we could prolong our leisurely drive. One comment he made was that the roads are so well maintained now. We stopped at almost all the viewing points along the way because who knows when or if we'll be able to come back this way. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous!
This was one of our best trips. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. Do not rush through, take 2-3 days minimum to really enjoy yourself and make frequent stops along the way. I heard that there are people who take the whole week just for Big Sur. We did our drive from San Diego to San Fran in two days. We would have loved to spend more time but we were on a tight schedule. There are many visa points, state parks, and attractions to stop at. I didn't know you could go camping at certain locations along Big Sur. I'll keep that in mind for future.
BOO YAH, BIG SUR IS OFFICIALLY BACK IN BUSINESS BABY!!! A week ago, I probably would not have uttered such an exclamation. To be honest, I never really thought much about exploring Big Sur. Sure, I found it to be quite beautiful when I drove by last year on the way to Berkeley. But, back then I wouldn't have considered it a place you HAD TO visit before dying. That all changed last weekend when I decided to take my girlfriend to Big Sur for the first time since the area had finally reopened after months of construction. OMGEE I have never been so wrong in my life. Big Sur - from the gorgeous coastline views of the ocean to the windy and rewarding trails of its massive state parks - actually offers one of THE BEST escapes for people living in the Bay Area. And if you had just one day and only one day to visit Big Sur like we did, where would you go? What would you do? What would you see? Here are the places we visited - all but one were definitely 11/10 worth checking out. Consider it your one-stop guide to nirvana: -- BIXBY BRIDGE -- When driving along Highway 1 to and from Big Sur, you are 10/10 guaranteed to cross over Bixby Bridge (https://www.yelp.com/biz/bixby-bridge-big-sur). Opened in 1932, Bixby is nothing short of a 10/10. The view is breathtaking, there's plenty of parking, AND you can even hike down to the coast. I encourage y'all to come early because this place can get PACKED with tourists. Don't confuse it with Big Creek Bridge though! -- Limekiln Beach State Park -- Breathtaking, jaw-dropping, and serene. Even though Limekiln Park (https://www.yelp.com/biz/limekiln-beach-state-park-big-sur?hrid=LDgK5kFr20O23y0Mkp_1yw) doesn't provide the awe-inspiring views of the coast you'd expect from Big Sur, it has something just as good if not better: A beautiful, adventurous trail that ends with a massive and majestic waterfall. In terms of general location, Limekiln is an hour south of Bixby Bridge. Parking fee is $10 and it DOES NOT grant you access to other state parks in the area. -- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park -- Everyone and their moms comes to Julia Pfeiffer for McWay Falls (https://www.yelp.com/biz/julia-pfeiffer-burns-state-park-big-sur), and although the view is unquestionably AMAZING, I wouldn't get your hopes up. Because you're so high off the ground, the exhilaration may be fleeting. Plus, most trails are currently closed due to unsafe conditions, and the ones that are open...well they're short and uninspiring. Julia Pfeiffer is slightly north of Limekiln - about 40 minutes south of Bixby. Fee is also $10, but it DOES get you into other state parks. If you don't wanna pay, there's limited parking along the highway. -- Partington Cove -- Out of all the beautiful things I've seen in my short life, Partington Cove (https://www.yelp.com/biz/partington-cove-big-sur) has to be near the top. There's just something so magical about being able to sit on a bench and relax in front of the most tranquil and pristine waters around. THIS is true paradise. Getting here without GPS is slightly tough because there's no clear sign directing you when to stop, and so I recommend driving two miles north of Julia Pfeiffer until you see a small, green metal gate on the left. WOO, NO FEE! -- Pfeiffer Beach -- Because of the scenic landscape and relaxing experience, Pfeiffer Beach (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pfeiffer-beach-big-sur) is definitely one of the most amazing stretches of water in California. I loved coming here because it was peaceful, the beach was gigantic, and parking was plentiful! This treasure is about 30 minutes south of Bixby Bridge. Since the entrance is inconspicuous, I suggest driving a mile south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park until you see a sign that reads "Narrow road" (watch out for the sharp turn downhill). Parking fee is again $10, and it DOES NOT grant you access to other state parks. If I had to pick and choose the perfect outdoor adventure, Big Sur would HANDS DOWN BAR NONE be on my list. There is literally SO MUCH to do every day of the year; and all of it brings you closer to the power that is nature. This is truly a must visit if you are looking for a life-changing experience in the wild. Although navigating around here might be scary, have no fear because there are plenty of tourists/park rangers who are willing and happy to help (just drive slow!). I guarantee you that the experience is well worth it. And even if you only have one day to explore the area, you can EASILY check out all the places I listed above in under 24 hours. I give Big Sur an "Omg, I'd drive two no FOUR HOURS for this" rating. I'm so glad Big Sur reopened because it was truly a dream I didn't want to wake up from, a memory I never wanted to forget, and an adventure I was glad to have shared with my girl. Have fun and prosper folks,
This highway offers some breathtaking views, with a few good places to stop along the way. Be warned that it is a long and slow trip that should really be a whole day thing. Also beware that you do not want to be caught on this highway at night, because at that point it is just tedious driving with none of the views. Attractions: As you drive along this highway, the entire way is beautiful, but there are marked vista points where you should consider pulling over to stop and really appreciate the view and get some good pictures. Also along this highway is Hearst Castle. While the castle isn't good enough to justify making the trip down this highway, it is good enough to justify stopping if you're driving by. There are also elephant seal breeding grounds along the way that are worth stopping at. Depending on the time of year the seals might me mating, fighting, sleeping, or just not there. Food and Gas: There are one or two places you can stop for gas along this highway, but they are very pricy and you're better off to fill up before you start down the highway. There are the occasional places to eat, they will be a little pricy but offer wonderful views. If you're driving north, I reccomend stopping at Rocky Point Restuarant near Big Sur at the end of the day. You can also pack a meal and eat at one of the vista points, which will probably offer as good or better a view as any of the restaurants, for a lot cheaper.
we really enjoy scenic drives and this was one of our favs. the scenery between Monterrey and Big Sur is stunning. We stopped along the way to soak in the views and take a little walk but unfortunately didn't have a lot of time to spend. Our trip started in Seattle and worked our way down the coast taking side trips to mt st Helens and napa so we saw a lot. This was a great way to end our trip.
3 years ago
What a beautiful drive- take it easy, let the ocean air surround you. This is one of the best drives in the world! Not much traffic, meandering tourists, many pull-outs along the way. Don't rush, take your time on this road. NOTE: road is closed - all lanes - about 12 miles south of Big Sur. IF your destination is Big Sur - you CAN get there coming from the North (San Jose area). read more
Nothing Comes Close to the Golden Coast... One of my favorite scenic drives in California is along the coast of Highway 1. It actually stretches from Dana Point and runs along Santa Barbara to Monterey passing by Big Sur. The Pacific Coast Highway truly is one of the most breathtaking stretches of road in America (maybe even the world) and is one of my favorite road trips to take. Some of the roads are narrow and there's not much between us and the mighty Pacific Ocean below. In some places there's a stretch of road that's full of hairpin twists and turns. We pulled over along the iconic highway and enjoyed endless vistas overlooking the Pacific: * Pfeiffer Beach - most famous for its purple sand. Day-use beach only * Partington Cove - did a 1-mile roundtrip hike and it was the best short hike in Big Sur... at the end we were rewarded with amazing views * Hurricane Point - windy! * McWay Falls - beautiful 80-ft tall waterfall. It looks like paradise! * Bixby Bridge - Big Sur's version of the Golden Gate * Nepenthe Restaurant - lunch overlooking Big Sur views. Trivia: The meaning of nepenthe is a potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness of pain or sorrow. Did you know? ... waitlist is too long and parking is a mess here (causing pain and sorrow) LoL "You could travel the world But nothing comes close to the golden coast Once you party with us You'll be falling in love o o o o..." [Katy Perry] Review #2459 read more
Highway 1 aka Route 1 is a dream. (Unless you're driving in fog as at least one of my Yelp friends reluctantly has done, then it might be more of a nightmare.) In some places, the ocean just seems so serene and unreal. At others, the Pacific displays its power below the human-made paths of asphalt. What a pain it was, though, to have to wait for construction headed north just a few miles before we reached Big Sur. We waited a good 20 minutes until they let us through. They had only one lane open (4/23-4/24/19) for roughly a quarter of a mile & this will continue a bit longer this spring/summer: https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/community/cambrian/article228032024.html You won't get anywhere real fast this route, but turn the radio up and roll the windows down... It's a wonderful life. read more
Dangerous, but worth the risk... Route 1 is a thrilling drive loaded with hiking trails and epic cliffside viewpoint opportunities. Watch out for speeding big rigs barrelling down the road. They have to cross into oncoming traffic on occasion and it will scare the hell out of you (see my pictures). Other dangers include people hard breaking when there's a viewpoint, people going way too slow or too fast. And the biggest risk of all are landslides. This road has major slides that often lead to road closures. - The winter storms of 2019 have forced the shutdown of most of the major hiking trails in the area. Be sure to check the state park websites to what is open and what is closed. - Lttle to no cell phone coverage. - Gas up to full before going on this road. Tip - A great hike and car viewpoint is just off the Nacimiento-Fergusson road. Do a Yelp search form Mill Creek Trail. read more
This past summer of 2021, I finally had the opportunity to drive this Route Highway 1 or otherwise known as Cabrillo Highway running down the California coast from the Carmel/Monterey area south to roughly San Simeon, CA. In total, I'd say the drive covers about 95 miles, but obviously there's plenty of stops to make to appreciate the sights and surroundings along the edge of the Pacific Ocean waters. Just to back up one moment...I was driving south and before I started the journey...I spent the prior day covering the famous road known as 17 Mile Drive through the golf course area of Pebble Beach, California enjoying the rugged and scenic California coastline. 17 Mile Drive was a good starting introduction for now being here at Route 1/Cabrillo Highway to admire more expansive views from high above the cliff's edge of this winding and twisting road. Another detail I'd like to mention is that I was here visiting/driving back in the middle of August and unfortunately for a majority of the day the skies were overcast with clouds and fog so...I never ultimately got those magical moments for the sun to be shining brightly upon the ocean's colorfully blue waters. This was a letdown, but it wasn't meant to be, I guess. Though...the prior day on 17 Mile Drive I had a beautifully sunny day without a cloud in the sky. My advice would be just to check the weather forecast prior to making this Route 1 Drive. I'll just highlight some of the best stops I made along the drive...mostly they were just scenic overlooks. I wanted to stop at some of the parks and waterfalls and also do some hiking, but unbelievably the road was SO CROWDED with visitors and tourists there were literally NO PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE at a lot of the major attractions. And...since Route 1/Cabrillo Highway is a one-lane road in each direction, it's quite difficult to stop in the middle of it all for cars ahead to pull into some of the landmarks without causing major traffic jams. In the end...being around too many cars and populations of people gets me very jittery, so I just gladly moved onto the next scenic sight without second thought. Because of the tough weather conditions and too many cars being on the road...I only give this prominent Route 1/Cabrillo Highway drive down the California coast 4 stars instead of the full 5. - Point Lobos - I missed it. The parking lot was full and way too much congestion in the area. - China Lookout - cool viewpoint. - Painters Point - worthwhile overlook. - Bixby Creek Bridge - FANTASTIC! The best and most memorable stop along Route 1. This bridge area and incredible observation point is like the true essence of what you can expect to find along California's coastline. It's crowded here. Park on the side of the road as best you can. - Hurricane Point View - very nice especially if on a clear day. - Partington Cove - fell a little flat for me. - Julia Pfeifer Burns State Park Vista Point - had such great potential for scenery. Just too cloudy during my stop here. - McWay Falls and Canyon Falls - parking lots were completely full. Too bad. - Big Creek Bridge - yes, another terrific looking suspension bridge in the distance! - The viewpoint just after Big Creek Bridge heading south. There's no name for this roadside pullover. It's located about a 1/2 mile down the road. Drive slowly not to miss it. - Willow Creek Picnic Ground - good stop for views. - Salmon Creek Falls - no parking. - Black Swift Waterfalls - I skipped. - Ragged Point Scenic View and Nature Trail - located behind the Ragged Point Inn. Stunning overlook. Definitely worthy of a photo from the edge of the cliffside. - Elephant Seal Vista Viewing Point - my second favorite stop along Route 1 behind #1 ranked Bixby Creek Bridge. Here you park in the lot and walk to a boardwalk viewpoint for undisturbed perspectives of elephant seals lying on the beach shores in their natural habitats. So surreal to be here. The seals were active for late afternoon. Tons of seals on the beach. A MUST-DO! - A couple of pleasant looking viewpoints just past Elephant Seal Point. You can stop at a few of them to exit your car briefly and appreciate the beach shores...especially in late afternoon the suns reflections created optimal photo moments. Overall, that pretty much completes this Route 1 - Cabrillo Highway expedition down the California coast. Some stops were epic like Bixby Creek Bridge and Elephant Seal Overlook. Other areas like Point Lobos and Pfeifer Burns State Park were just too crowded for my liking. However you decide to navigate this iconic road (north or south), my only suggestion is that you make this journey on a bright and sunny day. read more
7 years ago
This is NOT the road to take when you are in a rush. This is the road where the driving itself is the experience! lo Must say that I read here some really cool and amazing review, and some amazing photos. I am not a great writer or photographer, but I love this road, drove it so many times, and never had enough. Whenever I am driving it with someone that it is their first time here, none can remain relaxed and not be amazed by this gorgesous and beautiful road. A MUST! read more
13 years ago
13 years ago
Coming from a city that has absolutely nothing even close to this kind of drive, I can def say that I was in awe the entire time. I've traveled a lot, but I've never seen such beauty before (well maybe in Hawaii - there is a nice scenic drive in Kauai). I was staying in Monterey for a few days, so on our second day, my brother-in-law took us for a "drive" along Highway 1 where most of the day was spent stopping at pretty much every stop that we could. He said I was spending way too much time at our first few stops and that its only going to get better as the drive continues. I didn't believe him, but he was completely right. My favorite is definitely the Bixby Bridge stop - it's the famous bridge that was built in 1932 and many car commercials have been filmed there. I actually saw one on TV this past week and it was really awesome because I was JUST there! Along the drive, there is a restaurant called the Ventana that's located on top of a mountain and has the most beautiful view - it was our lunch spot and I can't give enough stars to describe the perfect experience we shared! We also stopped by Big Sur Village for a bathroom break - inside are a couple local shops, a place to eat, and a creek. This creek has permanent chairs where people were relaxing, eating, and just enjoying nature. It was super cool to see this kind of thing and I got to dip my feet for a bit :) It also smelled really good, but I cannot comment on the food because we did not eat there. The next day, we went to Hearst Castle - it was pretty cool, but I can say it was my least favorite day. In order to get to the castle, you have to drive along this highway for about 2/2.5 hours until you reach San Simeon, CA. About a couple of miles before you reach that destination, there is another MUST stop called the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery - it's absolutely insane to see so many elephant seals in one place... they were digging themselves in the sand, fighting, mating...?, and there was hundreds of them. My only warning is that it's pretty damn SMELLY.. so be prepared. By the way, towards the end of this drive, the road gets INSANELY curvy and pretty scary at times - especially when there are crazy people on bicycles driving along. On our way back, the sun was starting to set so we stopped at this one location so I could get a good picture of it. It's a stop called Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - MUST STOP AS WELL! We were really tired, but somehow we ended up wandering inside the park (we left our car on the side of the road). About 15 minutes or so into the walk, you enter an area where there is a beautiful waterfall along the beach. It's not Niagara Falls, but it's just amazing to see what nature creates. It's not a difficult hike by any means and I am so happy we accidentally found it. I am really jealous of people who live close to Big Sur. It's a wonderful place to get away for a couple days and very romantic. If I ever come to Cali for longer than a week, I would def stay for one night at one of the many resorts available in the Big Sur. Regardless, this is a must destination spot for everyone and I cannot wait to come back! read more
Highway 1 Big Sur Central Coastal drive is a perfect getaway that one could do with their family/ friends on a pleasant sunny day. It's every Californian's dream leisure drive and of course, so is every tourist's must-do's when they hit the west coast if they've good extra time to drive past this beautiful and most scenic natural wonder!!! Big Sur is approximately 150 miles south of San Francisco and 300 miles north of Los Angeles, having countless breathtaking views along the way, stretches about 90 miles along the Pacific Ocean. Woahhh!! It was so good to drive along the Pacific Ocean!!! Totally worth it!! Just 3 words, DON'T MISS IT!!!! We (the hubby & me) stopped every few miles at various vista points to catch a glimpse of this most admired beauty of the world. The view of every turnout was stunning too! HIGHLIGHTS of the DRIVE, ~ Bixby Creek Bridge & Bixby Creek Bridge Beach - Pull over on the north end of the bridge to catch mind-blowing view of both the bridge and the cute beach (down the bridge). There's a pull-out parking area, which'l be tightly packed most times, but worth a wait to catch the view. I guess the beach is a private property and it's not easy to get there unless via boat. This is the most famous photographed point and the most admired ones along the highway. ~ River Inn Big Sur, Restaurant & Hotel Service - I recommend people to stop by at this spot for refreshments like hot drinks/ light snack/ meals. Liked their inside setting, very quaint place with impressive antique furnitures and old photographs. There's a small bar area inside. Outdoor seating of the restaurant is the most talked about feature where the creek runs in the middle. Quite relaxing. However, we are yet to try their hotel service. ~ McWay Falls - Located 12 miles south of Big Sur village, in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The uniqueness of this waterfall is that it falls 80 feet straight onto the beach. I liked the beach and the background nature of the spot and not the waterfall part. Honestly, I felt the waterfall rants and raves are quite an exaggeration. It was indeed a spectacular view, but the waterfall is a mere hype. There's a small tunnel along the walking trail towards the waterfall view. At the time of sunset, the point where the tunnel ends got us many silhouette shots surprisingly. So, don't forget to wait and capture as many silhouettes as you can. ~ Pfeiffer Beach - This is people's most favorite spot to capture the dazzling Sunsets. It's a day use area and no overnight camping. To find the exact starting point to the beach is a little trickier one. You need to find the turnout that takes you to the beach on the Sycamore Canyon Road. The beach has a long stretch of sand, cliffs and a large arch-shaped rock with a square hole in the middle. This arch-shaped rock is another famous photographed spot. We both completely enjoyed the beach and the sunset sight behind the arch-shaped rock. Fun tip, Guess what?? you can spot picturesque visuals of this 'Scenic Highway One' in the 1947 classic movie, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir!! When you compare Big Sur shots from the movie with Big Sur's latest photographs, you'l realize how it's charm still magically remains the same till date. Definitely, worth coming back just to enjoy it's tranquillity!! read more
11 years ago
After going to Nor Cal at least once a year for most of my entire life, I decided it was time for me to make the trip going to Nor Cal via the scenic 101/PCH 1 route this past week. I left from LA around 6:30 AM and did a pit stop at SLO for gas/lunch before continuing to PCH 1. The drive itself going north is "safer" than going south since you are on the inside and not driving right along the cliffs. It wasn't that bad, I just took the tricky curves slowly and not rush things since I was enjoying the view, too. Some pit stops you should definitely take: Elephant Seal Vista Point - there are so many elephant seals and they are either sleeping or playing in the water. If you're lucky, you might even see a whale from a distance. McWay Falls - untouched by humans, you can view McWay Falls from far away. It is a beautiful sight and it will allow you some time to stretch your legs from your car ride. Pfeiffer Beach - $10 entry/car but it is a secluded beach that offers a huge rock to climb, purple sand, and two keyholes in the rock created by the crashing waves. Bixby Creek Bridge - one of the most famous landmark of this scenic route, it was my last leg of the trip before I got back inland and continued my trip away from the coast. 17 Mile Drive in Carmel/Pebble Beach/Monterey - I already did this route on a separate trip so I skipped it this time around but if you haven't been, this is another great addition. More beautiful view of the coast and iconic spots that you must check out (Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach, and Bird Rock). I did this trip on a Wednesday in July so it was less crowded than a weekend trip. There are signs everywhere and gas stations, restaurants, etc every 50 miles or so. Try to avoid the traffic at the merge of the PCH 1 freeway with all the other traffic near Monterey during rush hour (4-6 PM). I got stuck in that and it was not fun. read more
This drive is a must for anyone who lives in California. It may not be ideal in terms of the amount of time it takes, but this drive should be considered a destination in itself. I've traveled this route once as a passenger back in 2002 and once as a driver just a week ago, and although I may not have traveled the world I can certainly say this is one of the most scenic drives in America. It's probably about a 2.5 hour drive from the southern end at Ragged Point to the Carmel area, but I would allow at least 3.5-4 hours if you plan on stopping and taking pictures at the various vista points along the road (you'll want to). You may even want to consider making an entire day out of it if you plan on visiting Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park or Andrew Molera State Park. Some helpful tips though if you're planning on making this trip: -Fill your gas tank before you head through Big Sur. If you're starting from the South, fill up in San Luis Obispo/Pismo Beach/Arroyo Grande somewhere. From the North, stop off in Monterey or Carmel and fill up here. As someone else already mentioned on here, gas is $2-3 more per gallon in Big Sur. -Give yourself enough time to get to your final destination shortly after sunset. While it's a beautiful drive and also a great place to see the sunset, you won't want to complete too much of this drive in the dark because the roads in Big Sur aren't lit at all. Since there's almost no cell phone reception here, if you have car trouble you're not going to want to run into problems when it's completely dark. -Check the weather conditions before you make your trip. This is not a drive you want to do in the rain, mostly because it would be extremely dangerous but also because you'll miss out on all the beautiful views. Try to go on a sunny day when it isn't foggy, that way you'll be able to enjoy Big Sur the way it should be experienced. -Make sure no one in your car is claustrophobic before making this trip, particularly if you're going Southbound. Parts of the road are literally just feet away from the cliffs. I wasn't bothered by it at all, but I can understand how some people would be. -Food is expensive at the various inns and restaurants along Big Sur, but if you're willing to splurge then check out Nepenthe (lots of reviews on Yelp) read more
We decided to take the scenic route to and from Monterey. On the way up it was covered in fog and didn't get to see much. It was kind of a slow drive up the winding roads in the fog. Be cautious because it is often so thick it is difficult to see the car right in front of you. But on our way back down the coast it was nothing but gorgeous views all the way down. We made plenty of stops at the scenic outlooks to capture all the beauty and I recommend this to everyone who has yet to stop and see. Just be careful when pulling into and out of the stops, some cars just tend to fly through. Highly recommend you take this route when traveling. read more
12 years ago
It's been decades since we've done this drive. We usually drive the inland route for the sake of saving time on the road. Since it was just the hubby & I, we took our time and thoroughly enjoyed our drive back south to Los Angeles along the coast. Since I was riding shotgun, I had a wonderful time soaking in all the sights. The hubby had to really concentrate on the road but enjoyed maneuvering the twists and turns. I did offer to drive, but he was having too much fun and doesn't trust my driving skills. (Truth be told, I am a sucky driver these days) He pulled over many times to let others pass so that we could prolong our leisurely drive. One comment he made was that the roads are so well maintained now. We stopped at almost all the viewing points along the way because who knows when or if we'll be able to come back this way. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous! read more
11 years ago
This was one of our best trips. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. Do not rush through, take 2-3 days minimum to really enjoy yourself and make frequent stops along the way. I heard that there are people who take the whole week just for Big Sur. We did our drive from San Diego to San Fran in two days. We would have loved to spend more time but we were on a tight schedule. There are many visa points, state parks, and attractions to stop at. I didn't know you could go camping at certain locations along Big Sur. I'll keep that in mind for future. read more
BOO YAH, BIG SUR IS OFFICIALLY BACK IN BUSINESS BABY!!! A week ago, I probably would not have uttered such an exclamation. To be honest, I never really thought much about exploring Big Sur. Sure, I found it to be quite beautiful when I drove by last year on the way to Berkeley. But, back then I wouldn't have considered it a place you HAD TO visit before dying. That all changed last weekend when I decided to take my girlfriend to Big Sur for the first time since the area had finally reopened after months of construction. OMGEE I have never been so wrong in my life. Big Sur - from the gorgeous coastline views of the ocean to the windy and rewarding trails of its massive state parks - actually offers one of THE BEST escapes for people living in the Bay Area. And if you had just one day and only one day to visit Big Sur like we did, where would you go? What would you do? What would you see? Here are the places we visited - all but one were definitely 11/10 worth checking out. Consider it your one-stop guide to nirvana: -- BIXBY BRIDGE -- When driving along Highway 1 to and from Big Sur, you are 10/10 guaranteed to cross over Bixby Bridge (https://www.yelp.com/biz/bixby-bridge-big-sur). Opened in 1932, Bixby is nothing short of a 10/10. The view is breathtaking, there's plenty of parking, AND you can even hike down to the coast. I encourage y'all to come early because this place can get PACKED with tourists. Don't confuse it with Big Creek Bridge though! -- Limekiln Beach State Park -- Breathtaking, jaw-dropping, and serene. Even though Limekiln Park (https://www.yelp.com/biz/limekiln-beach-state-park-big-sur?hrid=LDgK5kFr20O23y0Mkp_1yw) doesn't provide the awe-inspiring views of the coast you'd expect from Big Sur, it has something just as good if not better: A beautiful, adventurous trail that ends with a massive and majestic waterfall. In terms of general location, Limekiln is an hour south of Bixby Bridge. Parking fee is $10 and it DOES NOT grant you access to other state parks in the area. -- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park -- Everyone and their moms comes to Julia Pfeiffer for McWay Falls (https://www.yelp.com/biz/julia-pfeiffer-burns-state-park-big-sur), and although the view is unquestionably AMAZING, I wouldn't get your hopes up. Because you're so high off the ground, the exhilaration may be fleeting. Plus, most trails are currently closed due to unsafe conditions, and the ones that are open...well they're short and uninspiring. Julia Pfeiffer is slightly north of Limekiln - about 40 minutes south of Bixby. Fee is also $10, but it DOES get you into other state parks. If you don't wanna pay, there's limited parking along the highway. -- Partington Cove -- Out of all the beautiful things I've seen in my short life, Partington Cove (https://www.yelp.com/biz/partington-cove-big-sur) has to be near the top. There's just something so magical about being able to sit on a bench and relax in front of the most tranquil and pristine waters around. THIS is true paradise. Getting here without GPS is slightly tough because there's no clear sign directing you when to stop, and so I recommend driving two miles north of Julia Pfeiffer until you see a small, green metal gate on the left. WOO, NO FEE! -- Pfeiffer Beach -- Because of the scenic landscape and relaxing experience, Pfeiffer Beach (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pfeiffer-beach-big-sur) is definitely one of the most amazing stretches of water in California. I loved coming here because it was peaceful, the beach was gigantic, and parking was plentiful! This treasure is about 30 minutes south of Bixby Bridge. Since the entrance is inconspicuous, I suggest driving a mile south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park until you see a sign that reads "Narrow road" (watch out for the sharp turn downhill). Parking fee is again $10, and it DOES NOT grant you access to other state parks. If I had to pick and choose the perfect outdoor adventure, Big Sur would HANDS DOWN BAR NONE be on my list. There is literally SO MUCH to do every day of the year; and all of it brings you closer to the power that is nature. This is truly a must visit if you are looking for a life-changing experience in the wild. Although navigating around here might be scary, have no fear because there are plenty of tourists/park rangers who are willing and happy to help (just drive slow!). I guarantee you that the experience is well worth it. And even if you only have one day to explore the area, you can EASILY check out all the places I listed above in under 24 hours. I give Big Sur an "Omg, I'd drive two no FOUR HOURS for this" rating. I'm so glad Big Sur reopened because it was truly a dream I didn't want to wake up from, a memory I never wanted to forget, and an adventure I was glad to have shared with my girl. Have fun and prosper folks, read more
11 years ago
This highway offers some breathtaking views, with a few good places to stop along the way. Be warned that it is a long and slow trip that should really be a whole day thing. Also beware that you do not want to be caught on this highway at night, because at that point it is just tedious driving with none of the views. Attractions: As you drive along this highway, the entire way is beautiful, but there are marked vista points where you should consider pulling over to stop and really appreciate the view and get some good pictures. Also along this highway is Hearst Castle. While the castle isn't good enough to justify making the trip down this highway, it is good enough to justify stopping if you're driving by. There are also elephant seal breeding grounds along the way that are worth stopping at. Depending on the time of year the seals might me mating, fighting, sleeping, or just not there. Food and Gas: There are one or two places you can stop for gas along this highway, but they are very pricy and you're better off to fill up before you start down the highway. There are the occasional places to eat, they will be a little pricy but offer wonderful views. If you're driving north, I reccomend stopping at Rocky Point Restuarant near Big Sur at the end of the day. You can also pack a meal and eat at one of the vista points, which will probably offer as good or better a view as any of the restaurants, for a lot cheaper. read more
we really enjoy scenic drives and this was one of our favs. the scenery between Monterrey and Big Sur is stunning. We stopped along the way to soak in the views and take a little walk but unfortunately didn't have a lot of time to spend. Our trip started in Seattle and worked our way down the coast taking side trips to mt st Helens and napa so we saw a lot. This was a great way to end our trip. read more
10 years ago
Just like everyone says the greatest meeting of land, sky and sea you'll probably ever experience. Better make sure your car is in good shape and able to climb a lot of hills without overheating because some guys rode by me on a motorcycle and said to me, "man your going faster than that RV back there!". I was riding a normal street bicycle LOL! So yeah take your time to go slow and enjoy the views because there will be plenty of slow traffic anyways all along the way. If you are an impatient type do everyone a favor and take the unremarkable highways further inland if you aren't here for the views. read more
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This is absolutely a drive you have to do at least once in your life. Be prepared to take a lot of photos and definitely make some stops along the way. You simply will not find any more scenic highway with epic ocean views and mountains touching the sea. read more
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Big Sur, CA 93920
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