Opens in a new tab
Ragged Point Aerial View

Ragged Point

The stretch of highway between San Simeon and Ragged Point is some of the most picturesque in the world. The roadway follows where the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, with jaw-dropping views around every twist and turn. As you drive, plenty of turnoffs offer moments for taking in the region’s grandeur. As you drive to Ragged Point, you will feel like a star in your own private car commercial on Highway 1.

Spend an hour, a day or a week at Ragged Point Inn. Originally an outpost of the Hearst Ranch, this incredible location is ideal for a day stop or extended stay. During your stay, enjoy amenities that include lodging, dining, a gift shop, and gas station. It’s an ideal home-base for exploring San Luis Obispo County’s rugged north coast. The garden and grounds of this historic property are expertly manicured to augment the surrounding natural beauty, and host outdoor concerts during the summer. Ragged Point Inn boasts some of the finest views along Highway 1, with outlook points facing both north and south. The Inn also provides a romantic spot for popping the question. Say yes in Ragged Point!

The Ragged Point Cliffside Trail is the perfect hike on Highway 1. The payoff for those who tackle this trail is big: a black sand beach and the base of the 300-foot Black Swift Falls seasonal waterfall! At a distance of just 0.8 miles, this moderately strenuous trail is best for experienced hikers wearing good shoes. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but only if they’re kept on-leash. The trail is easily accessible from Ragged Point Inn, just off Highway 1, and offers unparalleled glimpses of this area’s coastal mountains and wildlife.

Where to Stay in Ragged Point

Plan your stay at one of the many hotels or vacation rentals in Ragged Point.

  • Links to Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
    Cavalier Oceanfront Resort is the only oceanfront hotel in San Simeon. Located on Highway 1, this hotel offers stunning views.
  • Links to Silver Surf Motel
    Silver Surf Motel in San Simeon provides an affordable option for Highway 1 travelers. This family friendly motel is a favorite of visitors.
  • Links to Hampton Inn

    Hampton Inn

    San Simeon
    Convenient and affordable accommodations are available at the Hampton Inn San Simeon; this recognizable brand offers an easy lodging option.
  • Links to Ragged Point Inn

    Ragged Point Inn

    San Simeon
    Ragged Point Inn and Resort is the place to stay on this stretch of Highway 1, just south of Big Sur with the best views in California. 

Ragged Point Travel Videos

Events in Ragged Point

Plan your next roadtrip to Ragged Point around events and happenings.

  • Links to Live Music at Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden
    Nov
    08
    Friday-Sunday, year-round
    12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
    Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden is located in Paso Robles and is open daily. Guests are invited to enjoy award-winning wines, beautiful vineyard views, monumental sculptures by renowned artists, and family-friendly outdoor spaces. Their free live music series is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, making Sculpterra a favorite destination for both locals and visitors […]
  • Links to Art Under the Moonlight Tours
    Nov
    13
    Select Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 4 – Nov. 16, 2024
    5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
    For visitors seeking a truly enchanting experience, Hearst Castle offers the Art Under the Moonlight tour series during select evenings in fall. This unique 100-minute journey allows visitors to explore William Randolph Hearst’s world-renowned art collection under the captivating glow of moonlight. Available on select Fridays and Saturdays in October and November, the tour provides […]
  • Links to Hearst Castle Holiday Twilight Tours
    Nov
    27
    Nov 27, 2026
    5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    The Holiday Twilight Tours are offered this year on select evenings November through January. Please check the website for tour dates, times, descriptions, and reservations. Start your Hearst Castle holiday journey at https://hearstcastle.org/tour-hearst-castle/daily-tours/holiday-twilight-tour/ Don’t miss out on Hearst Castle decked out in full holiday splendor! Come and experience the estate as William Randolph Hearst’s guests […]
  • Links to Cambria Christmas Market at Cambria Pines Lodge
    Nov
    29
    Annually between Thanksgiving and New Year’s
    7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    Step into a world of enchantment as you walk through an immersive path adorned with over two million twinkling lights.

Travel Articles About Ragged Point

Read about why Ragged Point on Highway 1 is the perfect California Highway 1 road trip for those seeking a special California beach town experience.

  • Links to A rustic adventure around Ragged Point
    A rugged adventure around Ragged Point The perfect place to unplug, unwind and reconnect with nature! Article Reposted from Roadrippers.com Tucked away between Big Sur and San Simeon is a bewitching wonderland of scenic hiking trails, hidden beaches, and towering waterfalls. Ragged Point is often featured as a stop along Highway 1, but it’s also […]
  • Links to Hiking On Highway 1
    Hiking along the Highway 1 Road Trip showcases the diversity of this abundant place. From Ragged Point to Nipomo, each corner of coastal SLO CAL has its own distinctive flora, fauna, and history.
  • Links to Dog Friendly Activities Along Highway 1
    California’s Central Coast provides a fun and safe playground for both dogs and their humans. Stay in dog-friendly lodging, dine in dog-friendly restaurants, and frolic on dog-friendly beaches, hikes and parks.
  • Links to Highway 1 Holiday Events 2026: Cambria, Cayucos and the Central Coast
    Christmas markets, tree lightings, twilight tours and Polar Bear Dips along Highway 1, from Cambria and Cayucos to Avila Beach, late November through New Year’s Day.

Where to Eat in Ragged Point

Check out all the restaurants and good eats in Ragged Point.

Connect with Ragged Point

Official travel map and social media for Ragged Point

More to Explore on Highway 1

Check out these other amazing places on the Highway 1 Road Trip in San Luis Obispo County.

Explore the Highway 1 Road Trip

Click each image for more details