Driving up the coast on Highway1 to Big Sur is one of my favorite roadtrips of all time. Be prepared because it is a long drive from Los Angeles (it took us 8 hours!) and some parts of the drive include winding roads. But, you will be rewarded with views of what is called the most beautiful coastline in the country.
Here are the stops we made during our drive:
1. MORRO ROCK
Located in Morro Bay, this rock is a famous landmark created by a volcanic plug. Grab coffee and pastries at the Sun-N-Bun Bakery and enjoy a short walk around the boardwalk. You may also see some seals and otters in the water.
2. ELEPHANT SEAL SANCTUARY
This is a good stop to stretch your legs and see tons of elephant seals chilling under the sun. This is located in San Simeon, CA. It is only a short walk from the parking lot.
3. WILD ZEBRAS
Yes! There are wild zebras in California! Zebras were brought in the 1900s to be part of a private zoo in Hearst Castle. Now, zebras are roaming free in the land and can be seen from the road. Watch out for these striped animals as you pass by San Simeon. We were able to park on the side of the road and snapped some photos of the zebras.
4. MC WAY FALLS
This famous waterfalls is one of the only three "tidefalls" in the United States. This is a must visit in Big Sur. There is a parking lot and a short trail that leads to a tunnel and observation deck to view the 80-foot waterfalls. There is no access to the cove and it is illegal to visit the beach.
5. NEPENTHE
This is one of the few restaurants in Big Sur. We stopped at this restaurant for brunch and enjoyed the view of the ocean while eating. Another option is to et at their outdoor cafe if there is a long wait for the restaurant.
6. PFIEFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK
This state park has trails and camping. We stopped here for few hours and did the Big Sur River Gorge Trail. We walked up the stream, climbed rocks and reached this swimming hole. The water is super cold but refreshing. Do not forget to bring your swimsuit during this roadtrip!
Entrance Fee: $10/vehicle
7. PFIEFFER BEACH
You can spend an afternoon at this beach with purple sand. During winter time, you can watch the sun rays shine through the Keyhole Arch during sunset.
Entrance fee: $12/vehicle
8. BIXBY BRIDGE
This iconic bridge is not to be missed! When driving towards Carmel/Monterey, there is a small parking area on the left side after the bridge. This is a famous spot and parking can get full easily.
9. GARRAPATA STATE PARK
This state park offers different coastal trails and beach access. I enjoyed our visit here during the spring and experienced the beauty of the wildflowers scattered everywhere.
Other parks to visit in the area are Andrew Molera State Park and Pint Lobos Natural Reserve.
Hope you have a wonderful roadtrip to Big Sur!
@yourbasictraveler
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