Getting to Big Sur, California

Getting to Big Sur

Unlike other California places that have definite boundaries on a map, Big Sur is loosely defined at best. For the purposes of this guide, Big Sur is the section of California coastline along California Highway One between Carmel and the Monterey/San Luis Obispo County line north of Hearst Castle.

Access to Highway One is limited along most of its length by the coastal mountains. To get there, you'll have to get onto Highway One, either near Monterey and Carmel or from Morro Bay and Cambria.

To get to Big Sur from the south (Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara):

• Exit US 101 at San Luis Obispo, taking CA 1 north through Morro Bay

• Or exit US 101 on CA 46 west north of Atascadero, joining CA 1 just south of Cambria.

To get to Big Sur from the north:

• From San Francisco or San Jose, take US 101 south to CA 156 west at Prunedale or CA 68 west at Salinas, then take CA 1 south.

• From Santa Cruz, Carmel or Monterey, take CA 1 south.

No matter which direction you're coming from, if you're driving on Hwy 1, especially during winter's rainy season, the road may be closed to due landslides. Before you go, visit the CalTrans website and enter "1" in the Highway Number box to find out the current conditions, or call 800-427-7623.

Distances to the community of Big Sur from some of the most popular California tourist destinations:

• San Diego - 429 miles (690 km)
• Los Angeles - 309 miles (497 km)
• Santa Barbara - 225 miles (362 km)
• Hearst Castle (San Simeon) - 65 miles (105 km)
• Monterey - 29 miles (46 km)
• San Jose - 100 miles (161 km)
• San Francisco - 140 miles (226 km)
• Yosemite (Mariposa) - 184 miles (296 km)
• South Lake Tahoe - 316 miles (509 km)