Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
At Big Sur's state parks, your parking fee ($10) receipt is valid for same-day entry to all
except Limekiln. Please don't skip paying the entry fee by parking illegally outside the
parks along Hwy 1 - California's state parks have suffered severe budget cutbacks, and
every dollar helps.
Garrapata State Park
PARK
Over 4 miles south of Point Lobos on Hwy 1, pull over to hike coastal headlands, where
you might spot whales cruising by offshore during winter, or into canyons of wildflowers
and redwood trees.
Garrapata
is Spanish for tick, of which there are many in the canyon
and woods, so wearing long sleeves and pants is smart. Leashed dogs are allowed on the
beach only.
Bixby Bridge
LANDMARK
Less than 15 miles south of Carmel, this landmark spanning Rainbow Canyon is one of the
world's highest single-span bridges. Completed in 1932, it was built by prisoners eager to
lop time off their sentences. There's a perfect photo-op pull-off on the bridge's north side.
Before Bixby Bridge was constructed, travelers had to trek inland on what's now called
the
Old Coast Rd
, a rough dirt route that reconnects after 11 miles with Hwy 1 near
Andrew Molera State Park.
When the weather is dry enough, the old road is usually navigable by 4WD or a moun-
tain bike.
Point Sur State Historic Park
LIGHTHOUSE
tours usually at 1pm Wed, 10am Sat & Sun Nov-Mar, 10am & 2pm Wed & Sat, 10am Sun Apr-Oct,
also 10am Thu Jul & Aug)
A little more than 6 miles south of Bixby Bridge, Point Sur rises like a velvety green fort-
ress out of the sea. It looks like an island, but is actually connected to land by a sandbar.
