Why this road
There is only one road along this coast and that is the point: on one side the cliffs and the ocean, on the other side the mountains, with redwood valleys in between. You cross Bixby Bridge, pass through the forest of Big Sur Village, see a waterfall drop onto a beach at McWay Falls and finish near the elephant seals and Hearst Castle at San Simeon.
The route
- ACarmel-by-the-Sea
Fill up and set off south on Highway 1. Point Lobos is just outside town if you have time for a walk.
- 1Bixby Bridge
The famous concrete arch over a deep canyon. The best view is from the pull-out on the north side.
- 2Big Sur Village
The road leaves the coast for a while and runs through redwood forest along the Big Sur River.
- 3McWay Falls
A short, flat walk to a viewpoint above a cove where the waterfall drops onto the sand.
- 4Ragged Point
The southern end of the wild coast. Stop for the view back north along the cliffs.
- BSan Simeon
Just before the village, the elephant seals lie on the beach at Piedras Blancas. Hearst Castle is on the hill above.
Stops worth it
A quick stop, but the pull-out is small and busy. Do not park on the bridge approaches.
Half an hour for the walk and the view. Parking along the highway is limited, the state park lot charges a fee.
The elephant seal viewing area north of San Simeon. Seals are there all year, most in winter and spring.
Light and the best time
Start in the late morning. In summer a layer of fog often lies on the coast until late morning, and by the time it lifts you are past Bixby Bridge. Heading south, the ocean is on your right, and in the afternoon the sun moves over the sea in front of you to the right, with glare off the water. McWay Cove is in shade early in the day and best from late morning to the afternoon. Leave Carmel around 10.
September and October are the best months: the clearest skies and less fog. April and May bring green hills and wildflowers. June to August is busy and often foggy on the coast. In winter, from about November to March, storms bring rain and landslides. Highway 1 at Big Sur has had long closures from landslides in recent years and fully reopened in January 2026. Before you go, check the current status on Caltrans QuickMap. If a section is closed, you can only reach parts of the coast from one side.
By vehicle
The dream car for this road. Mornings can be cool and damp in the fog, so bring a jacket.
Fantastic curves with the ocean below. Watch for gravel from the slopes and for cars stopping suddenly at the pull-outs.
Easy, but narrow in places with drops beside the road. Use the pull-outs to let faster cars pass.
Doable, but the road is slow and the pull-outs are small. California law requires slow vehicles to pull over when five or more cars are behind.
Good to know
No tolls. The US drives on the right, so heading south you are on the ocean side and the pull-outs are easy to reach. Fuel is scarce and expensive in Big Sur, fill up in Carmel. Mobile reception is patchy or absent. State park car parks charge a fee. Closures from landslides can last for months: check Caltrans QuickMap before you start.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
Is Highway 1 at Big Sur open?
Yes, Highway 1 fully reopened in January 2026. Landslides can close parts of it again, so check Caltrans QuickMap for the current status before you go.
How long does the drive from Carmel to San Simeon take?
About 2 h 15 to 2 h 30 without stops. With stops at Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, plan most of a day.
Which direction should I drive Big Sur?
Southbound. You are on the ocean side of the road and can pull over easily at the viewpoints.
When is the best time to drive Big Sur?
September and October, when the fog is rarer and the sky clearer. April and May are green and full of wildflowers.