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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
111km
Day 1: Monterey Bay Aquarium → Lone Cypress → Carmel-by-the-Sea
32min · 16km3 stops
Monterey Bay Aquarium
09:00 – 11:00
19min · 10km
Lone Cypress
12:00 – 14:00
13min · 6.0km
Carmel-by-the-Sea
15:00 – 17:00
Day 2: Point Lobos State Natural Res… → Bixby Creek Bridge → Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
24min · 24km3 stops
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
09:00 – 11:00
9min · 6.6km
Bixby Creek Bridge
12:00 – 14:00
15min · 18km
Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge
15:00 – 17:00
Day 3: Pfeiffer Big Sur → McWay Falls → Limekiln
18min · 17km3 stops
Pfeiffer Big Sur
09:00 – 11:00
1min · 0.4km
McWay Falls
12:00 – 14:00
17min · 16km
Limekiln
15:00 – 17:00
Day 4: Sand Dollar Beach → Elephant Seal Vista Point → Hearst Castle
51min · 53km3 stops
Sand Dollar Beach
09:00 – 11:00
12min · 12km
Elephant Seal Vista Point
12:00 – 14:00
39min · 41km
Hearst Castle
15:00 – 17:00
Heads Up
- 1. Check Caltrans Highway 1 conditions frequently as landslides often cause road closures in the Big Sur region.
- 2. Cell service is extremely limited along the coast; download offline maps before departing Monterey or San Simeon.
- 3. Book Hearst Castle tours and popular state park parking in advance, especially during summer weekends.
- 4. Fuel up in Monterey or Carmel, as gas prices within the Big Sur corridor are significantly higher.