Do yourself a favor and drive on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) through central California at least once in your lifetime.  I had forgotten just how magnificent this stretch of coastline was until yesterday when we accidentally drove through.  We were on our way to San Francisco from Los Angeles for a long holiday weekend.  I say accidentally since we continued on Highway 1 (PCH) after we had stopped in Morro Bay.  We normally drive east from this pit stop to catch the 101 Freeway again but I guess we were feeling adventurous.  I am very glad that we did!

Once you are in San Simeon – north of Morro Bay - you pass the famous Hearst Castle.  It is visible from the road amidst its mountainous setting.  After you drive for another few minutes, you are on the road at the edge of California.  This pristine area is an excellent history lesson.  The undeveloped land has likely not changed for hundreds of years (well, except for the road).  Don’t just look at the water but stop and really look around.  In the mountains, there are rocky outcroppings every so often that seem out of place.  The Pacific Ocean meets a very jagged shoreline that has been eroded quite substantially.  There is almost nowhere you can simply walk down to the water.  Look out at the shore and you see some of the richest areas in the world when it comes to biodiversity. 

As you travel further north, you can find yourself as high as 100+ feet above the water.  Fortunately, there are many turnouts where you can stop and take spectacular photos.  Unfortunately, one must use extreme caution when driving in the Big Sur area.  This is a narrow two-lane road that winds precariously around the mountains.  Be a sport and if someone is following you very closely - please stop at the next turnout and let them pass.  This road is the only access for locals to travel in this area and it can get frustrating for them when someone is too frightened to go the speed limit of 25 mph.  I would also not attempt this drive at night – there are NO lights on the road whatsoever.  Allow yourself at least 2-3 hours for the stretch between San Simeon and Monterey to be on the safe side.  Most importantly – remember the old adage when it comes to viewing nature:

“leave only your footprints and take only pictures”.

There are guides online highlighting this drive and its main points of interest:

http://jrabold.net/bigsur/road.htm

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/