Road trippers can once again travel the length of California’s legendary Pacific Coast Highway, following the reopening of the route at Big Sur. Landslides closed the scenic section of Highway 1 in January 2023, necessitating a detour inland on the renowned coastal journey between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The news coincides with the centennial celebrations of Route 66, the 3,940km American ‘Mother Road’ that crosses eight states between Santa Monica and Chicago. Los Angeles and San Francisco are also preparing to host FIFA World Cup 2026 games in June and July, while the USA is celebrating its 250th anniversary.
Hwy 1 and Route 66 are generally considered two of the world’s finest road trips, alongside Australia’s Great Ocean Road, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, South Africa’s Garden Route, Scotland’s North Coast 500 and circuits of Iceland and New Zealand’s South Island.
Below, we pick five of the many highlights along Hwy 1, which takes in beach towns, redwood forests, sweeping ocean vistas, state parks and wine regions on the 800km trip between LA and San Francisco.
Monterey Peninsula
Marine life meets the good life in Silicon Valley’s favourite weekend spot, from village-like Carmel-by-the-Sea’s galleries to Monterey itself, immortalised by John Steinbeck.
Bixby Creek Bridge
Point your Mustang to one of Hwy 1’s most photographed spots, part of the dramatic Big Sur coastline between the Santa Lucia Mountains and beaches such as purply Pfeiffer.
Hearst Castle
The newspaper magnate who inspired Orson Welles’ Citizen Cane threw wild Hollywood parties during the Roaring Twenties at this opulent pile in the San Simeon hills.
Santa Barbara
The ‘American Riviera’ and a classic slice of sunny Southern California with stucco buildings, surf beaches and vineyards nestled in the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Santa Monica
Finish a trip south with a breezy stroll (or rollerblade) along the Venice Beach Boardwalk and sunset at the neon-lit Santa Monica Pier and solar-powered Ferris wheel.
