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Pacific Coast Highway, United States
Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1 and US-101) traces the California coastline from Dana Point north to Leggett, though most drivers tackle the iconic stretch between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The 280-mile Big Sur segment is the crown jewel — a ribbon of asphalt carved into cliffs 1,000 feet above the Pacific, crossing the Bixby Creek Bridge (a 714-foot concrete arch built in 1932) and passing McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that drops directly onto a beach. North of San Francisco, the highway winds through Point Reyes National Seashore and into the Lost Coast. South of Big Sur, the route passes through San Simeon (home of Hearst Castle), the surfer town of Santa Cruz, Monterey's Cannery Row, and the artist colony of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Drive north to south to stay on the ocean side of the road.
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Drive north to south (San Francisco to Los Angeles) to stay on the ocean side. Allow at least two full days — three is better. Gas up in Cambria or Big Sur Village; stations are sparse for 90 miles through Big Sur. Check Caltrans for rockslide closures, especially after winter rains.
April through October for the best weather and fewest closures. September and October offer warm days and the least fog. Winter brings dramatic storms but frequent road closures. Weekdays are far less crowded than weekends.