Bixby Creek Bridge and the Big Sur coastline along California Highway One
California's Highway One Highlights
The best season for biking Highway 1 is April through November. No matter the time of year, expect wet blankets of fog in the morning and wear layers of brightly colored clothes.
Don’t miss the famous panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the beloved Big Sur landmark restaurant, Nepenthe. It also has a fabulous gift shop with items made by local artists.
There are lots of opportunities to hop off the bike and onto a trail along the way, as state parks, national forests, and wilderness areas line the route.
By Travel Expert:
Karen Kefauver
Many Highway 1 tourists are in such a hurry to get from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo that they bypass the isolated stretch of road between Gaviota and Pismo Beach. Here lies Jalama Beach, a great spot for surfing, windsurfing, kite flying, and camping—but perhaps most famous for the Jalama burgers made at the beach grill.
When driving Highway 1, it's nearly a requirement to stop at Hearst Castle to tour the lavish palace of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. But a more natural attraction lies just a few miles up the coast, where every winter more than 10,000 elephant seals show up on the beaches at Piedras Blancas.
Sure, it's corny, but that doesn't stop more than one million people each year from driving their car through Leggett's massive carved-out redwood, the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree. This private park also has hiking trails and picnic areas.
Between the Sonoma Coast and Mendocino lie the majestic Point Arena headlands. Its historic lighthouse, at 115 feet tall, is one of the highest in California. Visitors can climb narrow steps to the top, or stay overnight at one of the lighthouse keepers' cottages.
You have to pay a fee to cruise the 17-Mile-Drive in Pacific Grove, but it's worth it for the chance to ogle Pebble Beach's world-famous golf course, the palatial homes of the rich and famous, and nearly non-stop views of the Monterey coast framed by windswept cypress trees.
By Travel Expert:
Ann Marie Brown
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