Highway 1 in Big Sur, California, is one of the most iconic and scenic stretches of roadway in the United States. It's a part of California State Route 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, and it runs along the rugged and picturesque central coast of California.
Highway 1 in Big Sur offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The highway clings to cliffs high above the shoreline, providing motorists with unparalleled vistas of the rugged coastline, crashing waves, and pristine beaches. Several famous landmarks can be found along Highway 1 in Big Sur, including McWay Falls, Bixby Creek Bridge, and Point Sur Lighthouse. All of which we will explore in this epic 7-day itinerary.
KNOW BEFOREHAND
Nearest Airport: San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) - San Jose, California
Best time to go: Much of the California coast, especially in the southern and central regions, experiences a Mediterranean climate. This means mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The Pacific Ocean has a moderating effect on the climate along the coast, keeping temperatures relatively stable. The ocean acts as a temperature buffer, preventing extreme heat in the summer and cold in the winter. You will typically enjoy mild and pleasant temperatures year-round, with average highs in the 60s and 70s°F (15-25°C) in the winter and 70s to low 80s°F (20-30°C) in the summer.
Coastal areas, are known for their fog, especially during the summer months. This is often referred to as the marine layer. Fog can influence visibility and temperatures, making for cooler, overcast mornings.
While most locations are open year-round, there may be some seasonalities to operating hours and times, so we strongly recommend doublechecking each individual locations hours before visiting.
Our recommendation though, would be spring or falls months as this will help reduce crowds and peak season pricing.
Transportation: Since this is a road trip itinerary, a rental car will be needed. We've compiled this itinerary in a way that would start and finish at the San Jose airport (SJC), which has car rentals available. So this would be our recommendation, but if you would prefer other modes of transportation, feel free!
OVERVIEW
Total mileage: 400 miles (644km) Total drive-time: 9 hours Estimated cost: $3,000 (this is obviously a rough estimate and is largely based on the cost of meals, drinks, car rental and hotel accommodations).
Accommodations:
The hotels and accommodations in this itinerary were hand-picked by us based on our own experiences with these locations. We tried to provide alternative options where there are high-cost properties. If our options do not fit your needs, we know there are other options along the route that should fit your needs.
