California State Route 1 • CaliforniaScenic Technical (4/5)Scenic Coastal Touring

Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1 Big Sur Coast)

124 miles of cliffside coastal sweepers between Monterey and Morro Bay

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FUEL DISPATCH ALERT

Extremely sparse and premium-priced fuel in Big Sur and Gorda. Top off tank in Carmel or Cambria.

CELLULAR COVERAGE

Zero cell service between Carmel Highlands and Ragged Point (approx 75 miles).

SEASONAL ACCESS

Open year-round, but susceptible to winter landslide closures (check Caltrans District 5 status).

Route Telemetry & Topographic Profile

TOTAL DISTANCE

124 mi

Paved highway stretch

TECHNICAL CURVES

210

Banked turns and sweepers

SUMMIT CREST

1,200 ft

Peak GPS elevation

ELEVATION CLIMB

+4,650 ft

Total vertical gain

MAX GRADIENT

Steepest road incline

POSTED SPEED

35 - 55 MPH

Enforced speed limits

Interactive GPS Route Map & Topographic Elevation

Tap numbered markers to inspect waypoints • Toggle U.S. Topo (USGS) layer

LAYER:

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Red line = Verified GPS motorcycle route ribbon

Essential Pit Stops, Cafes & Restaurants

Hand-picked roadside diners, coffee shops, historic taverns, and authorized service hubs along this route.

3 Curated Stops

Clifftop Ocean Vista Dining & Cafe

Nepenthe Restaurant & Cafe Kevah

Perched 800 feet above the crashing Pacific surf. World-renowned for Ambrosia Burgers, espresso, craft beer, and an open-air redwood terrace overlooking miles of coastline.

Address: 48510 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

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Historic Riverside Dining & Tavern

Big Sur River Inn Restaurant & Bar

A legendary roadside stop where riders enjoy riverside dining and sit in classic Adirondack chairs placed directly in the shallow Big Sur River to cool off.

Address: 46840 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

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Wood-Fired Bakery & Morning Espresso

Big Sur Bakery

Nestled in an 1800s ranch house under giant coastal redwoods. Freshly pulled espresso, scratch wood-fired breakfast pizzas, and warm artisan pastries.

Address: 47540 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920

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Route Overview & Character

California State Route 1 through Big Sur is celebrated globally as one of the most breathtaking coastal motorcycle routes on earth. Bordered by the Santa Lucia Range on one side and 1,000-foot sheer drops into the Pacific Ocean on the other, the route transitions from misty redwood groves to sweeping cliffside asphalt ribbons.

Pavement Quality & Road Surface

Coastal Highway Asphalt with ocean spray and scenic vista pull-outs

Safety & Enforcement Advisory

Watch for distracted tourists at scenic pullouts, morning marine layer condensation on road surface, and occasional loose coastal shale on inside corners.

Verified GPS Waypoints

1Carmel-by-the-Sea (CA-1 North)

Northern trailhead.

220 ft

36.5323, -121.9167

2Bixby Bridge Vista

Iconic coastal landmark.

280 ft

36.3714, -121.9018

3Big Sur River Valley

Redwood canopy passage.

215 ft

36.2704, -121.8081

4Gorda Summit View

Cliffhead elevation peak.

840 ft

35.8508, -121.4589

5Ragged Point Gate

Coastal descent into San Simeon.

300 ft

35.7628, -121.3283

6Morro Bay Harbor (South)

Southern terminus near Morro Rock.

25 ft

35.3658, -120.8499

Scenic Overlooks & Landmarks

Bixby Creek Bridge: Iconic 260-foot single-span concrete arch bridge perched above crashing Pacific surf.
Point Sur Lighthouse: Historic 1889 lighthouse atop a volcanic rock island jutting into the sea.
McWay Falls Overlook: Spectacular 80-foot waterfall dropping directly onto an untouched tidal beach.
Ragged Point: The dramatic gateway cliff marking the transition from Big Sur to San Luis Obispo County.
Elephant Seal Rookery: Piedras Blancas oceanfront wildlife viewing area north of San Simeon.