Unlock the secret to being here. Welcome to your story.
Here on Highway 1, every discovery needs an explorer. The locals know that the most rewarding experiences aren’t found on the main path, but are tucked away, waiting for those willing and curious enough to venture around the next bend. Picture yourself stepping into hidden coves where waterfalls meet the sea, sitting down to a wine tasting in a eucalyptus grove, or witnessing the emergence of new life at elephant seal rookeries in places crowds never reach.
This isn’t just another travel to-do list. This is your invitation to discover yourself one mile at a time, to seek and find what speaks to you. The scene is set along California’s most breathtaking stretch of coastline. All that’s missing is you.
The round outdoor sculpture near Ragged Point Inn provides a picture-perfect window through which to view the Big Sur coastline. One of the most photo-worthy shots around, this view leaves no question as to why people call Ragged Point “The Gateway To Big Sur.”
From the turnoff at Ragged Point, follow the Black Swift Trail down, down, down to a tiny black sand beach with its very own waterfall. Just be sure to bring your grippy shoes…and a sense of adventure.
Between December and February, mother elephant seals give birth to their young right on the beach at the Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon. Stand on the cliffs and watch the circle of life unfold in real time. Locals’ tip: Head north from the Rookery on the Boucher Trail to avoid crowds and find five more elephant seal overlooks.
Step into your kayak and discover the magic of San Simeon Bay, where gentle waters protect you from wind and crowds alike. Paddle along the shore and you may just find yourself sharing the moment with an elephant seal happily sunning itself on the beach.
Set amid the eucalyptus trees of Old San Simeon, Hearts Ranch Winery pours wine with a view of the ocean and the historic San Simeon Pier. You might even encounter the ghost of William Randolph Hearst, who kept his legendary art collection in the warehouses here.
A herd of zebras in San Simeon? Believe it or not, descendants from William Randolph Hearst’s private zoo roam Hearst Ranch in full view of Highway 1 to this day.
A network of 17 hiking trails spreads across the remarkable seaside Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Walk through the forest, over the hills, and along the shore, or relax on a driftwood bench and soak in your surroundings.
Picture yourself cruising with one of the largest free-range herds of Clydesdale horses as you explore Covell Ranch in Cambria’s countryside. Trail rides on these majestic animals will carry you over rolling hills and through the ranch’s towering stand of Monterey Pines.
Savor a slice of Cambria’s fresh-baked finest at Linn’s Easy As Pie Cafe. Around here, the ollalieberries—an unusual cross between Loganberries and Youngberries—are legendary.
Travel Highway 46 between Cambria and Paso Robles in spring, and don’t be surprised when your jaw drops. The rippling, rolling hills cascade down in vibrant emerald to the sparkling ocean with distant views of Morro Rock. It’s a snapshot that begs to be captured.
Between Cayucos and Cambria, Old Creek Road delights cyclists from around the world with its challenging hills and ocean views. Go single file with a cycling buddy or take the climbs solo.
Walk the winding Estero Bluffs Trail near Cayucos, and you’ll see an old fishing boat that ran aground, left in a little cove. Scramble down and you can even get to the ship at low tide, if you’re careful.
Delicate anemones, spiny urchins, dancing hermit crabs and more inhabit a miniature world of wonders at the Cayucos tide pools. Bring the family for an hour or spend the day exploring every nook and cranny.
Looking for a unique place to watch the sunset? The whale tail bench at Cayucos’s 1st Street beach access affords the perfect position for wishing the sun goodnight.
Cruise through scenic Edna Valley Wine County in a vintage motorcycle sidecar, stopping at boutique wineries for tasting while your driver ensures a safe and sumptuous journey.
If you want to see fuzzy, plucky California Sea Otters, you usually have to stake out your spot among everyone else. Not so at this little-known sea otter preserve overlooking Morro Rock in Morro Bay, where there’s plenty of room to watch their adorable antics.
You may have been on a wine tasting tour, but what about a seaweed foraging tour? The Marley family in Los Osos teaches all ages to forage edible seaweed, then prepares seaweed ramen on the beach for everyone.
Hike out to the end of Montaña de Oro Bluff Trail in Los Osos for one of the most expansive vistas around. Visit in fall to get the clearest view of the bay between Point Concepción and the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.
Discover your own front row seat to nature’s grandest show around Avila Beach, where gentle giants grace the waters more than anywhere else along Highway 1. Perch on Harford Pier, join a whale watching tour, or paddle into San Luis Bay on your kayak for an encounter you’ll treasure forever.
The Point San Luis Lighthouse is a hidden gem in and of itself, tucked back behind the hills of Avila Beach. A tree swing on the property faces the ocean for what is the most relaxing, romantic spot around.
Step onto the historic Swinging Bridge in Arroyo Grande, one of the only ones left in California. At 40 feet above the Arroyo Grande Creek and 171 feet across, it provides plenty of wobbly, wiggly fun that connects you to a simpler time.
True solitude is rare, but the expansive ecosystem of the Oceano Dunes offers the real deal. Enjoy 22,000 acres of protected dunes between Pismo Beach and Point Sal, one of the largest dune systems in North America.
Soar above it all in a biplane over Oceano for a view of the Central Coast that few ever witness. Take in the wide, sparkling Pacific Ocean, the beach towns of Oceano and Pismo Beach, and the rippling dunes that stretch endlessly below.
At Nipomo’s Monarch Club at Trilogy, a sculpture garden featuring work by independent local artists welcomes guests in. Made from steel, marble, stone and glass, the collection is free and open to the public.
After Ceceil B. DeMille directed The Ten Commandments on the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes in 1923, many set pieces were buried under the sand. Decades later, excavators unearthed a large Sphinx head, a bit of Hollywood history now on display at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center.
Where the trail fades, your personal adventure begins. These hidden secrets are just the beginning of your story along California Highway 1. Whether you’re seeking a cozy coastal cottage, a luxury resort with sweeping ocean views, or a charming bed and breakfast tucked away in the redwoods, there’s a perfect place waiting to become your home base for exploration.
Set up your hideaway, and you’ll be more than ready. After all, every discovery needs an explorer—and every explorer needs a place to reflect on the day’s adventures.
We want to know what you discover along the way. Hunt down the very best of Highway 1 and share your hidden secrets with us using #Hwy1HiddenSecrets on social media. Sometimes the most epic discovery of the journey is simply finding yourself. We’d love to be part of that story.
Because here on Highway 1, every mile has something to teach us. Every turn offers a new perspective. And every hidden secret you uncover becomes part fo the larger story of this remarkable coastline.
Step into the story of California Highway 1. Unlock the secret to being here.
