Is Highway 1 worth it?

It's rightfully rated as one of the top road trips in the world. This is a particularly breathtaking drive, especially through Big Sur where the Santa Lucia mountains plunge into the sea, and the surf and wind relentlessly pound the rocks and shore bending the native cypress trees into otherworldly shapes.



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California's coast-hugging Highway 1 is what dream drives are made of. The iconic roadway—which extends for more than 650 miles from Dana Point north to Leggett—offers endless vistas overlooking the Pacific, with plenty of redwood trees and wildlife sightings along the way.

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Driving Through Pacific Coast Highway. As a general rule, it's better to start your Pacific Coast Highway road trip in the north and head south so your car is always in the lane closest to the ocean. That way, there's nothing blocking your view of the cliffs during your drive down and you can really enjoy the sights.

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The Highway 1 road trip is one of the most iconic and scenic drives in the world. For the past few years, we've mainly done day trips, driving down the Monterey Peninsula from the Bay Area.

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Big Sur. At Big Sur, the most spectacular portion of the Pacific Coast Highway 1 begins, where huge, rugged cliffs and forested inlets overlook the pounding surf below. Whale-watching is popular here at certain times of year; depending on the season you can see blue, gray or humpback species breeching off the coast.

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You may also be served with a parking violation from law enforcement. Camping, camp fires, and sleeping overnight in vehicles are not allowed along Highway 1. When entering Highway 1 from a turnout, accelerate rapidly and safely until your speed matches the traffic speed.

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The Highway 1, aka Pacific Coast Highway, road trip that passes through Big Sur on California's Central Coast is perhaps the most famous scenic drive in the Golden State.

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Busier roads can make it more stressful and dangerous. Although this is listed as a major highway, there are stretches of the road with just two lanes (one in each direction) and you'll encounter many hairpin turns throughout the drive as the road hugs the coastline.

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Therefore, the best month to drive the Pacific Coast Highway is September, when you're most likely to have great weather along the entire length of the road trip.

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What is the Best Time of Year to Drive the Pacific Coast Highway? We'd recommend planning your Pacific Coast Highway road trip for the early spring if you can. That way, you'll beat the summer crowds but you still get to enjoy the warm weather up and down the coast.

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Given the stunning views and iconic cities along this route, Highway 1 is a hugely popular drive, but some drivers might find the long sections of two-lane road on this route, combined with steep cliff edges, scary. There's also a risk of landslides, which can often cause damage on this scenic but exposed highway.

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According to the California Highway Patrol, the man was driving a black Subaru Outback north of Scott Creek Bridge in Davenport when he drove off the roadway and down a steep cliff. The car overturned multiple times and came to rest partially submerged in the ocean below.

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The Highway 1, aka Pacific Coast Highway, road trip that passes through Big Sur on California's Central Coast is perhaps the most famous scenic drive in the Golden State. But it's not the only scenic, unforgettable road trip in California—by far.

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Big Sur encompasses roughly the area between San Simeon and the Carmel Highlands along Highway 1. Though the boundaries are not fixed, many people consider Malpaso Creek the northernmost point of Big Sur, and Ragged Point the southernmost entrance.

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