Though jacks work, big sur, spoke of his battle with alcohol addiction and finally succumbing to its grasp, his words in this quote remind me of the way i often feel when staring off into the distance. Big sur is so amazing it deserves its very own post, so heres part two of our pch surf trip. A two week drive from san diego to the redwood national forest in northern california is a great trip. Most of these chaparralcovered granite mountains have been protected as parkland, with hiking, cycling, and riding. Big sur is one of the most amazing places in california and one of the most spectacular coastlines in the united states.
Nov 11, 2015 big sur is one of californias most famous parks, and usually books up well in advance, yet i got lucky by finding ventana campground location noted in the map at the bottom of the post, which is a tranquil, tentsonly campground in the middle of a patch of redwood trees. The beauty of big sur is really something special, and for us southern californians, it was our favorite part of the trip. Pfeiffer big sur state park california state parks. Map from san francisco to big sur via pacific coast highway. In washington, oregon, and at the northern end of california, the pacific coast route follows us highway 101. The pacific coast highway is probably the most iconic and scenic route left in america, and its the dream destination for avid road trippers, car lovers, and travel geeks in general. How to complete an epic pacific coast highway road trip. Big sur coast highway is a section of california state route 1 through the big sur region of california that is widely considered to be one of the most scenic driving routes in the united states, if not the world. On most maps, big sur is merely a small village along highway 1 close to the pacific ocean in the foothills of the rugged santa lucia mountains, though the name is more widely applied to a 70 mile section of the central california coast, from carmel in the north southwards to san simeon for all this distance the hillsides slope steeply down to the ocean forming a seemingly endless line of. The big sur chamber of commerce offers these directions as a starting. The pacific coast highway is one of the most iconic drives in the united states.
Pacific coast highway, parts of new zealand state highway 2 and all of new zealand state highway 25 and new zealand state highway 35. The ultimate pacific coast highway road trip itinerary what is the pacific coast highway. Rugged rocky promontories flocked with forest plunge away to meet wild pacific swell in a shower of surf along particularly dramatic stretches of californias big sur coast, a scenic strip of shore that reaches south from the monterey peninsula to san simeon. How to complete an epic pacific coast highway road trip valerie. Big sur is an unincorporated area of approximately 70 miles of coastline along highway 1 in southern monterey county. It has been compared to the amalfi coast of italy, the rugged scenic north coast of taiwan, and. From canada to the mexican border, bicycling the pacific coast is the most popular guidebook to bicycle touring this gorgeous edge of the u. Big sur road trip along highway 1, californias pacific coast. Highway 1, californias first scenic highway and a designated american national scenic byway, winds along the big sur coast and through redwood forests in the big sur river valley. To find the return map from san francisco to big sur via pacific coast highway, begin with entering start and end locations in calculator control and click on show return map. I have also included a guide for taking a sevenday journey on pch yourself, history of this highway, and my recommendations for food and.
Some of the most breathtaking scenery is found along the way, including the oceanside mountains of big sur, the redwood groves of. Download the pdf shown above for easier viewing and the ability to zoom in. Surfer magazines guide to northern and central california surf spots. You can even stretch it out by spending a few extra days exploring some of the cities along the route if you want to. May 08, 2020 map of west coast road trip not to scale. Road trip along pacific coast highway to big sur offers. May 02, 2016 highway 1, californias first scenic highway and a designated american national scenic byway, winds along the big sur coast and through redwood forests in the big sur river valley. Driving the pacific coast highway, big sur and pismo beach october 25, 2014 erin a. Views include rugged canyons, towering redwoods, sea lions, and other marine life. Of all the worlds great coastlines, none can compare to californiasfor its.
It is flanked by the santa lucia mountains on one side and the rugged pacific coast on the other. Pacific coast highway driving distance map from moon pacific coast highway road trip. Caltrans also is providing a quickmap mobile for when youre on the road which is very handy when youre road tripping. Big sur road trip along highway 1, californias pacific. Jul 16, 2017 this is our road trip through california. You can also try a different route while coming back by adding multiple destinations. The land of big sur conservation on the california coast pdf. Driving californias pacific coast highway audley travel. Past san carpoforo creek, highway 1 begins its climb up the cliffs of big sur. Stretching from washington to california, the pacific coast is. Some of the highlights are of half moon bay, santa cruz, monterey, 17 mile. Our map highlights points of interest and provides locations of the parks.
Pacific coast highway, which was built less than 100 years ago, is the main road that runs through the region and becomes the most scenic in big sur. Things finally start to align when im given the time and space to think close to natures heart. You can check out the first part of our pacific coast highway trip here. Position your mouse over the map and use your mousewheel to zoom in or out.
Highway 1 is open throughout big sur with just regular ongoing maintenance. Map campground big sur directions about jobs campground map. Jun 02, 2014 the resort is in d southern part of big sur, a few miles away north of salmon creek falls and 30mi south from mcway and canyon falls. Oct 25, 2014 driving the pacific coast highway, big sur and pismo beach october 25, 2014 erin a. Sr 1 has several portions designated as either pacific coast highway pch. The perfect pacific coast highway road trip itinerary.
Raw beauty and an intense maritime energy characterize this land shoehorned between the. Big sur is the most beautiful and dramatic stretch of the pacific coast highway so here to inspire you to visit are some photos that we feel show its beauty. The entire length of the pch stretches from north to south along the entirety of the united states western border of the pacific ocean hence the name. To find the map for the shortest distance from san francisco to big sur via pacific coast highway, please enter the source and destination and then select the shortest option in the mode dropdown. Pacific coast highway west coast america road trip california. The pacific coast highway winds along the dramatic northern california coastline. To estimate the travel cost, find the trip cost from san francisco to big sur via pacific coast highway. The resort is in d southern part of big sur, a few miles away north of salmon creek falls and 30mi south from mcway and canyon falls. At a total of just over 656 miles 1,056 km, it is the longest state route in california. California map explore map of california, the most prosperous as well as most populous state in the us.
The pacific coast highway also called pch is one of americas most famous highways probably second only to route 66. We have driven the pacific coast highway many times. Travel the route that hugs the california coast, providing access to austere, windswept cypress trees, fogshrouded cliffs and the crashing surf of the pacific ocean. The going is slow, gloriously so, for the next 50 miles as highway 1, etched into the cliffs of the santa lucia. Stretching from the southern tip of baja california to the top of the olympic peninsula, the highway is 500 miles long. The old coast road, located between carmel and big sur off the pacific coast highway, is one of the premier mountain biking trails along the california coast.
When viewing the photos, you can choose the time comparison link at the top left of the california coastal records. State route 1 sr 1 is a major northsouth state highway that runs along most of the pacific coastline of the u. California road trip san francisco,yosemite,pacific. If you have more time to drive the pch, this 10day itinerary is perfect. The classic pacific coast highway road trip road trip usa. Its also a rugged wilderness, without many of the conveniences visitors may be accustomed to in more developed areas. While the movies portray this evergreen state in a constant shroud of clouds and moodiness thanks, twilight, its nothing farther from the truth here, you can find powerful waterfalls, secret coves, and lush green forest, and amazing hikes in every corner of this beautiful state. Running right along the beach, the pacific coast highway hwy1 heads south from oxnard around the rocky headland of point mugu pronounced magoo, where the u. Maps, directions, and transportation to big sur california. Natural history wildlife coopers hawks, spotted owls, and purple martins perform sky acrobatics. Navy operates a missile testing center and the santa monica mountains rise steeply out of the pacific ocean. You can also recognize it by its abbreviation pch, california coast road trip, pacific coast road trip, route 1, highway 101 through washington and oregon, or even just highway 1 in california. Driving the pacific coast highway, big sur and pismo beach.
It was the first california scenic highway and the first federal all american road. I always love getting the chance to explore it and with summer right around. Big sur coast map south, first jpg version then pdf version at link click on the names to open photos. Endangered or threatened animals include california condors and steelhead. Pacific coast highway or pch, segments of california state route 1.
Big sur visitor guide helps tourists explore and navigate highway 1 with driving tips, mile markers, bridges, cellular service, rest rooms, fuel, restaurants, lodging, camping, groceries, parks, public transit, hospitals first responder agencies, and what to do in case of emergency. May 15, 2019 big sur is one of the most amazing places in california and one of the most spectacular coastlines in the united states. Good road maps of the pacific coast highway are obviously essential for anyone planning to drive the trip. Big sur is more a state of mind than a place to pinpoint on a map, and when the sun goes down, the moon and the stars are the areas natural streetlights. Pacific coast highway, parts of new zealand state highway 2 and all of new zealand state highway 25 and new zealand state highway 35 pacific coast scenic byway, segments of the u. Weve listed those for the california coast, the real pacific coast highway.
Massive landslide buries section of californias pacific coast highway. Please click here to view photo galleries of our cabins. Our next leg of the trip was a few hours on the road, which might have been a crappy task had that drive not been one on the prettiest, most scenic drives in the world california state route 1, or the pacific coast highway as its known, through big sur on. If u want seclusion from d other yurts, reserve d nest or d treehouse. Plan a rest stop in the laidback town of pismo beach. These fortytwo suggested daily itineraries averaging 53 miles each begin and. A drive along the pacific coast highway has been called the quintessential california. Some 33 bridges span highway 1, including the famous bixby rainbow bridge in big sur. Ca is the 3rd most extensive state by area and is located on the western coast of the united states. Tom kirkendall and vicky spring guide you turn by turn along the length of pacific coast bicycle route all 1816. The maps are printable as pdfs, but if you prefer to have real maps then heres. To help you in choosing your pacific coast highway hotel, guesthouse, inn, bedandbreakfast, resort, motel or other accommodations, weve prepared our pacific coast highway hotels guide. Big surs famous spot for whale watching, just north of julia pfeiffer burns state park.
434 818 855 349 447 470 218 1542 877 1053 732 103 1239 1486 349 825 912 281 797 679 1130 597 1304 1421 1419 888 562 62 185 1426 1179 611 562