About
The Big Sur Coastline is a rugged stretch of California's Pacific shore in Monterey County, running between the towns of Carmel and San Simeon. It is often called the Big Sur Coast, and it is reached by Highway 1, the road whose address also marks the area on most maps.
What the visit is like
This is a place for a slow drive and a long look. The road follows dramatic cliffs above the ocean, and the views change with every bend. Many visitors come for the scenic drive alone, pulling over at turnouts to watch the water and the rock.
- Driving Highway 1 between Carmel and San Simeon, with stops at the viewpoints along the way
- Taking in the cliffs and coastal scenery from the roadside
- Making the stretch a full day out, or a stop on a longer trip along the coast
Planning your trip
Because the coast is wild and the road winds, allow more time than the map distance suggests. Carmel lies at the northern end of the route and offers places to stay and eat before or after the drive. Fuel and services are spaced out along the way, so it is worth checking what is open before you set off. The stretch is well suited to anyone who wants a scenic drive rather than a set attraction with a fixed schedule.