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Big Sur Coastal Icons and Redwood Groves

Experience the quintessential California road trip along Highway 1. This route balances the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur with serene redwood forests, iconic bridges, and the charming coastal towns of the Monterey Peninsula.

4days
12stops
110km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Carmel-by-the-Sea · Big Sur — start in Monterey, end in San Simeon.

DAY01

Monterey → Carmel-by-the-Sea

16 km · 32m driving · Overnight in Carmel-by-the-Sea
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Monterey Bay Aquarium· start
  2. 10 km · 19m
  3. 12:00
    Lone Cypress
  4. 6 km · 13m
  5. 15:00
    Carmel-by-the-Sea· overnight
DAY02

Point Lobos State Natural Res… → Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge

24 km · 24m driving · Overnight in Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Point Lobos State Natural Reserve· start
  2. 6.6 km · 9m
  3. 12:00
    Bixby Creek Bridge
  4. 18 km · 15m
  5. 15:00
    Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge· overnight
DAY03

Pfeiffer Big Sur → Limekiln

17 km · 18m driving · Overnight in Limekiln
  1. 09:00
    Pfeiffer Big Sur· start
  2. 0.4 km · 1m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ McWay Falls
  4. 16 km · 17m
  5. 15:00
    Limekiln· overnight
DAY04

Sand Dollar Beach → Hearst Castle

53 km · 51m driving
  1. 09:00
    Sand Dollar Beach· start
  2. 12 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Elephant Seal Vista Point
  4. 41 km · 39m
  5. 15:00
    Hearst Castle
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Days 1–2Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea / Big Sur · Nights 1-2
  2. Day 3Stay in Big Sur · Night 3
Heads Up
  • Check Caltrans Highway 1 conditions frequently as landslides often cause road closures in the Big Sur region.
  • Cell service is extremely limited along the coast; download offline maps before departing Monterey or San Simeon.
  • Book Hearst Castle tours and popular state park parking in advance, especially during summer weekends.
  • Fuel up in Monterey or Carmel, as gas prices within the Big Sur corridor are significantly higher.