25 TOP EXPERIENCES, LONELY PLANET CALIFORNIA:

#1 ~ Pacific Coast Highway

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Bixby Creek Bridge

 



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NORTH of Palo Colorado Road on Highway 1:

 

PARKS & BEACHES:

Garrapata State Beach/Park

 

Point Lobos State Park

Carmel-by-the-Sea ~ 11 miles north on Highway 1 

Monterey Bay Aquarium   ~ 17.5 miles north

RESTAURANTS:

Rocky Point ~ 1/4 mile north of Palo Colorado Road

Rio Grill ~ Crossroads in Carmel right on Rio Road



HIKING:

 

Garrapata State Park
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Rocky Ridge Trail



Point Lobos State Park


Los Padres National Forest

 

Ventana Wilderness 


 

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SOUTH of Palo Colorado Road on Highway 1:

Bixby Creek Bridge

Old Coast Road~ Before Bixby Creek Bridge was opened in 1932, the Old Coast Road was the stagecoach road to Big Sur Valley. [ Warning: Not passable in wet weather.

 

Point Sur Historic Lighthouse and Park

Andrew Molera State Park ~ 10.5 miles

 

Pfeiffer State Park

Hearst Castle ~ 77.7 miles

RESTAURANTS:  

Big Sur Deli ~ best picnic sandwiches

Big Sur Bakery ~ organic, make reservations

Post Ranch

Ventana Inn

Deetjens ~ excellent breakfast & dinner


 

HIKING:

 

Brazil Ranch Trail~ Climb to 1400 feet above Hurricane Point to view the Point Sur Lighthouse, Little Sur River Mouth and as far north as Santa Cruz.

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Brazil Ranch Trail with view of Point Sur Lighthouse

 

Andrew Molera State Park

Ventana Wilderness

Los Padres National Forest