The California section of Highway 1 is perhaps most famous for the rugged cliffs, bridges, and waterfalls of Big Sur. But don’t sleep on the 100-mile section just south of Big Sur, known as the Highway 1 Discovery Route. Stretching from Nipomo in the south to Ragged Point in the north, this area is jam-packed with quaint beach towns, interesting wildlife, roadside attractions, outdoor recreation opportunities, amazing culinary experiences, and spectacular natural beauty.
Here’s what not to miss on a Pacific Coast Highway road trip along California’s Central Coast.
As you travel north toward Big Sur, the forest gets denser, the cliffs more dramatic—and your choices for accommodations severely limited. Ragged Point Inn benefits from being the only hotel and restaurant nearby, but that by no means makes it a last resort. Perched between Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean, the views here are hard to beat. The onsite restaurant serves high-quality cuisine and its patio is the perfect place to watch the sunset and relax at the end of a long day of exploring.
Five miles north of Hearst Castle, you’ll find another famous Central Coast attraction: the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Walk out to the accessible viewing area and spend some time observing and photographing the colonies of northern elephant seals that sleep, flop, sunbathe, and swim along the shore. The second largest seal in the world, these slow-moving beasts can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. It’s an enjoyable—albeit smelly—quick stop on your trip north.
No trip to the Central Coast is complete without a visit to Hearst Castle. While it’s currently closed due to COVID-19, and will require advance tickets when it reopens, the opulent mansion can be spotted at its mountaintop location from the Pacific Coast Highway. While traveling through this area, also keep an eye out for zebras—a herd that once lived at Hearst’s private zoo still roams the land below the castle.
What do you know about olallieberries? Genetically a mix between blackberry and raspberry, and developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the 1940s, it’s the primary berry grown at the Cambria farm owned by the Linn family. At Linn’s Restaurant, you can get a taste of the tart berry in everything from pie to cheesecake to pudding. The bicycle-crazy owner has decorated the place with vintage bicycles—including some famous ones that have appeared in movies. The food is delicious but be prepared for big portion sizes and make sure you save room for dessert.
Cayucos is a cute beach town nestled along the coast between Morro Bay and Cambria. Grab some freshly baked goods from local favorite Brown Butter Cookie Company and enjoy a sweet treat on the nearby pier with a view of the Pacific Ocean. You can’t go wrong with the original brown butter flavor—but if you’re feeling adventurous (or extra hungry), we recommend also stocking up on lemon sugar, chocolate chunk, and cocoa cookies.
Morro Rock is impossible to miss when traveling along the coast through San Luis Obispo County. The 580-foot-tall volcanic plug sits on a tied island just outside of Morro Bay’s harbor. The area surrounding the rock is a state park open to visitors—including RVs up to 35 feet—or you can grab a bite on one of the harbor restaurant patios facing the coast and admire the rock from a distance.
590 Morro Avenue, Morro Bay, CA, United States