The phrase "West Coast, Best Coast" was not created out of a vacuum. Time and again I would find Big Sur in lists or articles like “Places to See” or “Road Trips of a Lifetime”.
Not only does Big Sur does not disappoint, it does what so rarely happens in real life: it lives up to expectations.
Really, it almost doesn't matter what part of PCH you drive between Monterey Bay until Santa Monica, it is beautiful. But if you don't have a lot of time and you want maximum impact, I have some tips for you:
- Travel southbound. Why? You are closer to the edge and you have an unimpeded view of the cliffs and the ocean.
- Try hitting PCH between Monterey Bay Aquarium (in Monterey County, obvi hehehe) and Hearst Castle (in San Luis Obispo County).
- If you're just driving through, you can hit as many or as little of the "Photo Ops and Places To Hit" below.
- If you have the time, I recommend spending a few days exploring Monterey County or another few days exploring Big Sur itself.
Photo Ops and Places To Hit:
Following the coastline between Monterey Beach Aquarium until Hearst Castle - north to south.
Lovers Point Park
631 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Point Pinos Lighthouse
80 Asilomar Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Asilomar State Marine Reserve & Asilomar State Beach
Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
17 Mile Drive
915 Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove CA 93950 https://www.pebblebeach.com/17-mile-drive/
You have to pay (~$10) to take this route and worth doing at least once in your life. You will get a map with all the points of interests listed with explanations of why these points are significant. Also, each "point of interest" has a parking lot and portable bathrooms. Make sure you stop at Sunset Point Overlook and Lone Cypress. The address listed above is for a church just outside the entrance kiosk to begin your "17 Mile Drive".
Pebble Beach Golf Course
1700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
This is a great place to take a short break, stretch your legs, take a bathroom break, and check out the gift shop. The address listed above is for the restaurant in the club and for navigation purposes.
Calla Lily Valley
(About 14.7 miles south of the Pebble Beach Golf Course)
Short hiking trail overrun with calla lilies! Trail head can be found near Doud Creek off of PCH.
Notley's Landing
Just south of 36700 CA-1, Monterey CA 93940
If you can do it safely, pull over and check out this overlook with awesome views!
Bixby Creek Bridge
(About 18.6 miles south of the Pebble Beach Golf Course)
The "pullover area" is larger than it was a decade ago, but still insufficient as the advent of social media made this place super popular. That doesn't meant you should avoid this place; A more iconic Big Sur photo you'll never take. If you didn't take this photo, you were never in Big Sur!
There are many different creeks and all of them have bridges that cross them. All of these bridges have the same architecture too. But Bixby Bridge is especially large and the way it is angled compared to the available parking spaces off the side of PCH make Bixby Bridge very picturesque and logistically easy to take a photo of.
ANY VISTA POINT from Bixby Bridge Until Point Sur Lighthouse
If you feel like pulling over at any point between Bixby Bridge and Point Sur Lighthouse, do so. You won't regret it. They are all breathtaking, impressive and life-changing.
Pfeiffer Beach
47199 Clear Ridge Rd, Big Sur CA 93920
Here, you will find Keyhole Arch. You may or may not want to take the time to come here. This beach is accessible by Sycamore Canyon Road from PCH, a street that goes through a residential area, therefore access is controlled by State Park contractors positioned on PCH. If you make it in, keep driving until you get to the park entrance kiosk.
Henry Miller Memorial Library
48603 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
www.henrymiller.org
I have tried four different times to visit this library and it is closed each time. I was assured it is still open for business, I just never ever get the chance to go there. If you manage to catch them open, let me know!
McWay Falls
(8 miles south of Henry Miller Memorial Library)
This oft-photographed waterfall is visible from PCH while you are driving. When you see a long line of cars parked on the side of the highway, start slowing down and look for a parking spot or park at the McWay Waterfall parking lot on the mountain side of PCH. Walk your way to the trailhead which will take you to the waterfall. Don't worry, this isn't much of a trail at all, more like a walk on a dirt track. The payoff is huge for such a short and easy walk.
Ragged Point
19019 CA-1, Ragged Point, CA 93452
https://www.raggedpointinn.com/
Check out my post about Ragged Point Inn and the Trail here. It's a great stop for food, bathroom, a bit of a hike and unbeatable views!
Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve
(About 5 miles north of Hearst Castle)
Stop by to view elephant seals! You won't regret taking a short break here... and the kids will love it too!
Hearst Castle
750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452
www.hearstcastle.org
You have to come see this California gem built by media magnate William Randolph Hearst. The architecture on this beautiful 20th-century mansion is amazing, the artwork is beautiful and the grounds are meticulous.
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