// scenic road
Pacific Coast Highway
California's coastal Highway 1 from Big Sur through Monterey to Carmel.
- Category
- scenic road
- Region
- california
- Latitude
- 36.2700
- Longitude
- -121.8070
California State Route 1 follows the Pacific coast for most of its length. The signature stretch for motorcyclists is the Big Sur section — about 90 miles from San Simeon to Carmel-by-the-Sea, with the Pacific Ocean on your west and the Santa Lucia Mountains on your east.
What to know
- Check Caltrans before you ride. Landslides close sections of Highway 1 regularly. Bixby Bridge to Big Sur Village is particularly prone.
- Fog rolls in fast. Mornings are often socked in until 10am. Layer up.
- Limited fuel. Big Sur Village has one (expensive) gas station. Fill up in San Simeon or Carmel before entering the canyon stretch.