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A Highway 1 road trip along California’s Central Coast

It’s worth spending a few days exploring the 100-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway just south of Big Sur

  • 37
  • 10:27
  • 417 mi
  • $69
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Created by carolynpaintershipman - February 1st 2023

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.

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525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA, US

Winchester Mystery House

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550 North Point Street, San Francisco, California, United States

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Photo of SFMTA - Powell & Market Cable Car Kiosk
3.0

1 Powell St, San Francisco, CA, US

SFMTA - Powell & Market Cable Car Kiosk

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Photo of Alcatraz Cruises
4.5

Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing, San Francisco, CA, US

Alcatraz Cruises

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Muir Beach, California, United States

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202 Stage Rd, Pescadero, CA, US

Duarte's Tavern

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Photo of Big Basin Redwoods State Park
4.5

21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, US

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

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Photo of Santa Cruz Wharf
4.0

21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA, US

Santa Cruz Wharf

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Photo of Natural Bridges State Beach
4.5

2531 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA, US

Natural Bridges State Beach

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Photo of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
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62 California 1, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, US

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

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Calle Principal At Decatur St., Monterey, CA, US

Old Customhouse

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Monterey, CA, United States

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Photo of Bixby Bridge
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Highway 1, Big Sur, CA, US

Bixby Bridge

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Photo of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
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47555 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA, US

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

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Photo of Pfeiffer Beach
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Sycamore Canyon Rd, Big Sur, CA, US

Pfeiffer Beach

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Photo of McWay Falls
4.5

Hw 1, Monterey, CA, US

McWay Falls

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Photo of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
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52801 California State Route 1, Big Sur, CA, US

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

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Photo of Limekiln State Park
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63025 California 1, Big Sur, CA, US

Limekiln State Park

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