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Big Sur · 4 days

Experience the dramatic meeting of land and sea along California's Highway 1. This journey covers iconic coastal cliffs, redwood forests, and hidden beaches between Monterey and the rugged heart of Big Sur.

4days
12stops
144km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Carmel · Big Sur — start in Monterey, end in San Simeon.

DAY01

Monterey → Carmel

14 km · 20m driving · Overnight in Carmel-by-the-Sea
  1. 09:00
    Monterey Bay Aquarium· start
  2. 9.5 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ The Lone Cypress
  4. 4.8 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Carmel-by-the-Sea· overnight
DAY02

Point Lobos State Natural Res… → Point Sur State Historic Park

34 km · 32m driving · Overnight in Point Sur State Historic Park
  1. 09:00
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve· start
  2. 20 km · 12m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Bixby Creek Bridge
  4. 8.6 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Point Sur State Historic Park· overnight
DAY03

Pfeiffer Big Sur → Nepenthe

20 km · 30m driving · Overnight in Nepenthe
  1. 09:00
    Pfeiffer Big Sur· start
  2. 1.6 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Pfeiffer Beach
  4. 6.3 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Nepenthe· overnight
DAY04

McWay Falls → Ragged Point

76 km · 49m driving
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ McWay Falls· start
  2. 26 km · 16m
  3. 12:00
    Limekiln
  4. 37 km · 23m
  5. 15:00
    Ragged Point
Heads Up
  • Check Caltrans for Highway 1 road closures, as landslides frequently impact access.
  • Cell service is extremely limited; download offline maps before entering the Big Sur region.
  • Parking at Pfeiffer Beach and Point Lobos fills up early; aim to arrive before 9:30 AM.
  • Fuel up in Monterey or Carmel, as gas prices in the heart of Big Sur are significantly higher.