California Highway 1 Attractions
California’s scenic Highway 1 is a state highway that runs along the spectacular Pacific coast, showcasing some of the most beautiful terrain the state. With amazing landscapes, unique geography and quaint roadside stops, Highway 1 attracts millions of visitors each year for its spectacular views and unmatched beauty. Designated as one of only 27 All-American Roads in the country, Highway 1 is famous for a variety of features that you won’t see anywhere else in the United States. Highway 1 is a twisting two-lane road, bordered by dense pine forests and steep rock cliffs, making it an exciting and challenging driving experience.
Julia Pfeiffer-Burns State Park. Named for a local pioneer, this beautiful park features scenic hiking trails through the redwoods, a wide variety of indigenous plants and animals, and an 80-foot waterfall that drops from granite cliffs into the Pacific Ocean. Another feature of the park is Big Sur Lodge with 61 guest rooms, a conference center, cafe, and a grocery store. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578
Ventana Wilderness. The 240,024-acre Ventana Wilderness Area is located in the Santa Lucia Mountains and features spectacular waterfalls, thermal springs, coastal redwoods, plentiful wildlife, and an extensive network of rugged and challenging hiking trails. http://www.ventanawild.org/
Los Padres National Forest. With over two million acres, this extensive forest encompasses most of the mountainous land along the California coast, stretching across 220 miles from the Big Sur Coast in Monterey County to the western edge of Los Angeles County. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and a wide range of wilderness areas at this beautifully diverse state park. www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/about
Carmel Mission (San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo) and Basillica. Established in 1770, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (Carmel Mission) served as the headquarters of Father Junípero Serra and is said to be his favorite. This National Historic Landmark attracts visitors from all over the world and is also a busy and active Catholic church. Unlike most California missions that were constructed with adobe bricks, the Carmel Mission was built using stone. Many structural changes have been made to the mission through the years, but visitors can find glimpses of the first building along with original furnishings, artifacts, paintings, and relics on site. www.carmelmission.org
Nepenthe. Perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Nepenthe was created in 1947 with the help of Frank Lloyd Wright’s student, Rowan Maiden, using native materials like redwood and handmade adobe brick. Today the restaurant is as famous for its visitors as it is for its architecture, food and views. Enjoy a glass of wine and the famous “Ambrosiaburger” on the fabulous open terrace. www.nepenthebigsur.com [Top]
Carmel Mission (San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo) and Basillica. Established in 1770, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (Carmel Mission) served as the headquarters of Father Junípero Serra and is said to be his favorite. This National Historic Landmark attracts visitors from all over the world and is also a busy and active Catholic church. Unlike most California missions that were constructed with adobe bricks, the Carmel Mission was built using stone. Many structural changes have been made to the mission through the years, but visitors can find glimpses of the first building along with original furnishings, artifacts, paintings, and relics on site. www.carmelmission.org
Nepenthe. Perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Nepenthe was created in 1947 with the help of Frank Lloyd Wright’s student, Rowan Maiden, using native materials like redwood and handmade adobe brick. Today the restaurant is as famous for its visitors as it is for its architecture, food and views. Enjoy a glass of wine and the famous “Ambrosiaburger” on the fabulous open terrace. www.nepenthebigsur.com [Top]
Big Sur. Big Sur offers stunning views and spectacular lesson in geology, with the Santa Lucia Mountains rising abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The area begins roughly 120 miles south of San Francisco and terminates near San Simeon in the south, making it a favorite of author-travelers like John Steinbeck and Jack Kerouac. Big Sur offers spectacular views, quaint villages and intimate museums located along the coastal highway route. www.bigsurcalifornia.org
Bixby Bridge. Bixby Bridge is a unique, open-spandrel arch bridge located on Coastal Highway 1 in Big Sur. With a main span of 320 feet, and a total length of 714 feet, Bixby Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world, and has been seen in many movies and commercials. The bridge introduced automobile travel to the area in 1932, connecting remote coastal towns and eliminating the use of rough wagon roads which were dangerous for travel.
Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas. Located seven miles north of San Simeon, the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery offers visitors the chance to see more than 8,000 elephant seals living and mating in their natural habitat. The breeding season runs from December through April, with elephant seals visiting the area throughout the summer and fall months. Docents from the non-profit group, Friends of the Elephant Seal, are generally on-site to answer visitor questions. [Top]
Bixby Bridge. Bixby Bridge is a unique, open-spandrel arch bridge located on Coastal Highway 1 in Big Sur. With a main span of 320 feet, and a total length of 714 feet, Bixby Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world, and has been seen in many movies and commercials. The bridge introduced automobile travel to the area in 1932, connecting remote coastal towns and eliminating the use of rough wagon roads which were dangerous for travel.
Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas. Located seven miles north of San Simeon, the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery offers visitors the chance to see more than 8,000 elephant seals living and mating in their natural habitat. The breeding season runs from December through April, with elephant seals visiting the area throughout the summer and fall months. Docents from the non-profit group, Friends of the Elephant Seal, are generally on-site to answer visitor questions. [Top]
Hearst Castle. The famous palatial estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, Hearst Castle is a 250,000-acre ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean in San Simeon. With spectacular buildings designed by San Francisco architect Julia Morgan, the estate is a wild blend of architectural styles inspired by Hearst’s travels through Europe. Highlights include an outdoor pool featuring an ancient Roman temple transported from Europe and reconstructed at the site, ancient mosaic floors, 127 acres of gardens, and the world's largest private zoo with zebras and other exotic animals still roaming the grounds. www.hearstcastle.org
AMGEN Tour. The AMGEN Tour of California is a professional bicycle stage race that offers exciting cycling action each February. The world's top professional teams compete over eight-days and 700-miles on a route that includes the California redwoods, wine country and the Pacific Coast. The tour’s goal is to raise funds for cancer care and treatment through its Breakaway from Cancer program that raises awareness and funds to support free services and programs to help people living with cancer. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
Big Sur International Marathon. Held annually in April, the Big Sur International Marathon is attracts 3,000 participants and many thousands of spectators for its 21-mile race along scenic Highway 1. In addition to the main event, the marathon also hosts other events over the weekend, including a relay race, a 5k run and a health fair. The marathon has raised over $2 million for local charities since its inception. www.bsim.org [Top]
AMGEN Tour. The AMGEN Tour of California is a professional bicycle stage race that offers exciting cycling action each February. The world's top professional teams compete over eight-days and 700-miles on a route that includes the California redwoods, wine country and the Pacific Coast. The tour’s goal is to raise funds for cancer care and treatment through its Breakaway from Cancer program that raises awareness and funds to support free services and programs to help people living with cancer. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
Big Sur International Marathon. Held annually in April, the Big Sur International Marathon is attracts 3,000 participants and many thousands of spectators for its 21-mile race along scenic Highway 1. In addition to the main event, the marathon also hosts other events over the weekend, including a relay race, a 5k run and a health fair. The marathon has raised over $2 million for local charities since its inception. www.bsim.org [Top]
Monterey Aquarium