#5 of 79 · coastal
Big Sur
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California → San Simeon
145 km · Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov · Moderate
Highway 1 where the Santa Lucias fall into the Pacific. Redwoods, bridges, and a fog that makes the cliffs look twice as high.
Viewpoints
Bixby Creek Bridge
The arch. Stop north of it, not on it.
24 km
80 m
McWay Falls
Tidefall onto sand. A short walk from the road.
95 km
30 m
- Road
- Two-lane, often patched after slides. Closures are common after winter storms. Check Caltrans before you leave Carmel.
Tips
- 01
Check the closures
Big Sur slides. A closed Highway 1 is a four-hour inland detour.
- 02
Fuel in Carmel
Stations are few and proud of it.
From the road
2 notes
Field reports from people who have driven this route.
Driven this road? Join as a driver to leave a note from the road.
Rachel M.
Oct 2025
Bixby in fog so thick the arch was a rumour. McWay opened for twenty minutes of sun. Caltrans had the south end open for once. Fuel in Carmel — still the rule.
Derek L.
May 2025
Slides closed the middle for six months last winter. When it reopened the road still felt provisional. That is Highway 1. Check Caltrans the morning you leave.
