Visit Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, undersea ecological reserve, Big Sur, redwoods, maples, sycamores, Hearst Castle, and 50 million-year-old Morro Rock.
The California Route One south drive from Monterey to Morro Bay is a 123-mile, 6-hour trip along the Pacific coastline. Before heading south out of Monterey on Route 1, visit the Custom House, Casa Soberanes, Monterey State Historic Park, Royal Presidio Chapel, Larkin House, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Cannery Row, home of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Several miles south of Monterey, make a stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea to visit the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, founded in 1770; the Tor House, home of poet Robinson Jeffers; and Carmel River State Beach.
Moving down south, take the 17-mile drive through Point Lobos State Reserve, a 456-acre park and 750-acre undersea ecological reserve. Pass through Carmel Highlands to the start of Big Sur, a 90-mile coastal drive where the Santa Lucia Range meets the ocean. Drop by the Garrapata State Park, one of the few beaches which is easy to reach, or watch sea otters from Soberanes Point. Drive south to the 700-foot-long Bixby Creek Bridge. Leaving the bridge, go on past Hurricane Point and the mouth of Little Sur River to the Point Sur Light Station. Just past the station, stop at the 4,800-acre Andrew Molera State Park to see oak, beech, and redwood forests.
Enter the town of Big Sur and head for Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Here you can see the Big Sur River and 800 acres of redwoods, sycamores, bay laurel, maples, and ferns. Just after the park, take the turnoff to Sycamore Canyon to see Pfeiffer Beach. Back on Route One, pass Henry Miller Memorial Library; Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Bark, which holds 80-foot-high McWay Fall; and the Piedras Blancas Light Station on your way to the small town of San Simeon. Here, you can ride a bus to go to Hearst Castle. Drive south to Morro Bay after visiting the castle. Here you can leisurely drive right up to 50 million-year-old Morro Rock and the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History.
Starting Point:
Monterey, CA
Distance of Drive:
127 miles
Must Eat:
Golden Buddha
3678 The Barnyard, Carmel, CA 93923
Phone: 831-625-1668
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Rappa’s Seafood
101 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: 831-372-7562
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For: Best in Seafood
Sly McFly’s Refueling Station
700 Cannery Row, #A, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: 831-649-8050
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For: Seafood
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Year round
Points of Interest on Drive:
Big Sur–Highway 1
San Simeon–Hearst Castle
Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row
Tagged with: beach • best time:yearround • California • summer destinations
Filed under: Best Road Trips