The Piedras Blancas Rookery on the Big Sur, PCH Highway 1 Tour is one of the best places in North America to see elephant seals, and their population can swell to around 17,000.
While the females look like your typically cute seal, the large bull males are another story. Often weighing an incredible five thousand pounds and measuring up to fifteen feet long, they’re easily recognized by their odd looking snout, which (sort of) resembles an elephant’s trunk. Breeding season is a particularly exciting time, when they fight over mating rights.
The most attractive of many waterfalls to be found along the Big Sur, PCH Highway 1 Tour is certainly McWay Falls.
This 80-foot high waterfall cascades from the forest, over a rock ledge and tumbles onto a white sand beach in a crescent-shaped cove. The viewpoint is accessed from a short flat trail that’s easily hiked by anyone, and it’s impossible not to take fantastic photos from here.
Famous for its purple sand with tiny flecks of garnet tinting the sand purple, Pfeiffer Beach along the Big Sur, PCH Highway 1 Tour is a photographer’s paradise with a beautiful rugged coastline, crashing waves and a beautiful rock formation known as Keyhole Sea Arch.
While Keyhole Arch is Instagram-worthy no matter when you visit, it is particularly beautiful at sunset.
Located near Carmel on the Big Sur, PCH Highway 1 Tour, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is an exceptionally beautiful California state park, and popular for those that love nature walks and wildlife.
It has a scenic shoreline trail and a rich underwater habitat that’s excellent for spotting a number of sea animals including seabirds, seals and sea lions, otters and gray whales. There’s also a cultural history museum in a small cabin that showcases the diving and whaling history.
Start your Big Sur drive under the towering coastal redwoods. These ancient trees are some of the tallest and oldest on Earth. Walking among them feels peaceful and awe-inspiring. Whether you stop at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or visit the nearby Henry Miller Memorial Library, the redwoods are a reminder of nature’s quiet power.
Just south of Big Sur near San Simeon, Hearst Castle offers a glimpse into California’s glamorous past. Built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, this hilltop mansion has grand rooms, ocean views, and Mediterranean-style gardens. Touring the estate is a unique stop that contrasts with the rugged coast around it.
Sand Dollar Beach is the longest stretch of sandy shoreline in Big Sur. It’s tucked below cliffs and perfect for a quiet walk, beachcombing, or ocean views. On calm days, it’s also a favorite surfing spot. If you’re looking for a peaceful break along the drive, this beach is a great pick.
Step into the cool shadows of the Chasm of Doom, where towering rock walls rise on either side and silence wraps around you like a cloak. This dramatic split in the valley reveals layers of geologic history and creates a unique pocket of life, with plants and animals finding refuge in its narrow depths. It’s a moment of awe, mystery, and natural wonder.
As the trail climbs from the chasm, look for Nolinas- hardy, grasslike plants with tall, spiky stalks that shimmer in the sunlight. These desert survivors are a striking part of the Hidden Valley’s ecosystem. Their sculptural beauty and seasonal blooms bring a softer, more delicate contrast to the rugged rocks all around.
Morro Bay is a quiet seaside town at the end of your Big Sur trip. Its most famous feature is Morro Rock, a massive volcanic plug rising from the ocean. Walk the harbor, spot sea otters, or enjoy seafood with a view. It’s a peaceful place to wrap up your coastal adventure.
Nepenthe is a clifftop restaurant with one of the best views on Highway 1. Stop here for a meal, a drink, or just a moment to relax. Writers, artists, and travelers have loved this spot for years, thanks to its dreamy views over the Big Sur coastline and laid-back vibe.
There are 32 bridges along the stretch of Highway 1 on the Big Sur, PCH Highway 1 Tour, but none are more recognizable or photographed than Bixby.
With a graceful white span backed by the rolling coastal mountains and fronted by sheer cliffs dropping into the sea, it’s one of the tallest single-span bridges in the world – rising to a height of 280 feet above the canyon floor. This concrete arch span bridge has been the star of many car commercials and movie driving scenes.
