Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arching gracefully above the sea the Bixby Bridge spans a gorge over Bixby Creek, which drops 265 feet into the Pacific
Ocean.
7. Point Sur State Historic Park
Slicing a thin line between the sea and the spines of foothills, Rte. 1 continues down the
coast,thenleapsacrossthefamedBixbyBridge.Likemanyspotsonthehighway,turnouts
here allow sightseers to stop and enjoy dramatic overlooks. Pull over at the bridge's north-
ern end, where the view includes not only the meeting of land and sea but the bridge itself.
Arched high above a gorge, the concrete span hurtles across Bixby Creek, which empties
into the sea some 265 feet below.
About five miles to the south, the drive nears a massive dome-shaped volcanic rock,
whichiscrownedbyPointSurStateHistoricPark.Thelighthousehere—itspowerfulbeam
can be seen for more than 20 miles—has warned sailors away from the treacherous point
for over a century. Before its construction was completed, shipwrecks were common here
on the coast.
Offered on most weekends, volunteer-led tours teach about the past keepers and their
families.Isolatedonthelonelypromontory(beforethehighwaywasbuilt,ahorsetrailwas
the only route down the coast), they had to be resupplied every four months or so by boat.
Nowadays, automation has made caretakers unnecessary, but the old buildings that made
their existence possible, including a barn and a blacksmith shop, are still standing.
8. Andrew Molera State Park
A study in variety, the park's terrain encompasses wind-sheltered beaches, sea-cut cliffs,
flower-filled meadows, free-flowing rivers, anda3,450-footmountain. After exploring the
area's hiking trails, consider settling in for the night at one of the primitive campsites, let-
ting the rhythmic rumble of the sea lull you to sleep.
9. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
South of the park Rte. 1 swings inland—one of the few places where it does so—then
passesthroughthesparselypopulatedtownofBigSur,whichliesscatteredalongthevalley
of the Big Sur River. One of the best ways to explore the wilderness in the area is to visit
PfeifferBigSurStatePark.Ahikeupitsnarrowrivercanyontakesyoutorefreshingpools
edged with smooth boulders. Trails also lead through a redwood grove to waterfalls and to
fishing spots where you can try for trout.
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