California scenery7/20/2023 Find plenty of other pullover activities on our San Simeon Road Trip Map. Do this from the bluffs above the beach, or with your toes wiggling in the warm sand below.įor the best place to stop on Highway 1, follow our map to the Vista Point at Hearst Memorial State Beach. These marine mammals are regular visitors to this stretch of shoreline. Bring binoculars to look for gray whales, minke whales, harbor seals, and sea otters, as well as dolphins and porpoises. This is also a great place for whale watching, with its expansive ocean views. You can even park in the Hearst State Beach lot, off Highway 1, and see it all from the comfort of your vehicle. Located just south of the entrance to San Simeon State Park, this vista point offers an ideal place for taking in effortless views. Other experiences might include dipping your toes in San Carpoforo Creek or snapping photos of the vintage Piedras Blancas Motel. Or use our Ragged Point Activity Map for more points of interest nearby, including the famous Bixby Bridge on Highway 1. Where’s the best place to stop for this adventure? Pull over here for easy access to Ragged Point scenic views. If you love tight turns, narrow roads and expansive ocean views, this is the area for you. And as the gateway to Big Sur, it offers some of the first cliffside driving heading north (or some of the last heading south).įor motorcyclists, this section of Highway 1 is one of the most popular rides on the globe. No matter where you turn in Ragged Point, ocean views are never far. (Just be sure to wear grippy shoes and save some stamina for the steep walk back up!) Here, the Black Swift waterfall tumbles down to the beach and rolls to the ocean - a great view that’s hidden from the road. Thrill-seekers will want to take the steep walk along the Cliffside Trail down to a secluded purple-sand beach. And don’t miss the Ragged Point Inn Restaurant for fresh-caught seafood, or the coffee bar and gift shop, too. This is an especially bewitching sight during sunset, perched high over the ocean. Park at the Ragged Point Inn, where you can grab a glass of wine or beer and enjoy panoramic views from the patio. Home of the “Million-Dollar View,” Ragged Point offers some of the best scenery from the road. Now turn the ignition, roll down the windows, and put it in gear - it’s time to take that iconic Highway 1 road trip. And if you want a single map detailing all of the best things to see on your drive, look at our “Discovery Route” map. If, however, you want to explore more in any given area, check out the destination-specific maps at the end of each section. Have a look at our list of the best places to stop along Highway 1, and use the links to Google maps to help you navigate each destination and attraction. All of this and so much more can be found just off Highway 1, if you know where to look. Hunt for sea glass, pick apples, and summit coastal mountains. Explore the grounds of a historic lighthouse. Be dazzled by the kaleidoscope of thousands of Monarch butterflies. Travel through patchwork farmland and past towering sand dunes. Taste wines influenced by the proximity of the Pacific Ocean. Stand beneath a waterfall and listen to its roar. Here, we’ve shared a thorough list of must-drive routes along Highway 1 that will open your eyes to its many charms. If you want the inside scoop on the best places to stop while driving the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll need inspiration from a knowledgeable guide. But finding all the secret treasures of this famous byway would take several days - and a local’s know-how. These 81 miles are what make a Highway 1 road trip one of the top bucket-list excursions in the world.
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