The Route 1 San Luis Obispo North Coast Scenic Byway Corridor
Details
- DesignationAll-American Road (2002)
- Intrinsic QualitiesHistoric, Scenic
- LocationCA
- Length80 miles
Overview
Routinely named one of the world’s best scenic drives, San Luis Obispo County’s 80-mile stretch of Highway 1 is all about the landscapes, from the majestic rocky shore off Ragged Point all the way down to the Mission in San Luis Obispo. These views of the prime Pacific coastline are prized, loved and highly photographed by locals and visitors alike. An endless list of activities are available along Highway 1 in SLO CAL. Spot passing whales and dolphins from the shore or aboard a watching tour. Marvel at the arts and antiques around every corner of Hearst Castle.
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Visit SLO CAL
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California Highway 1 Discovery Route
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Caltrans
Story of the Byway
Routinely named one of the world’s best scenic drives, San Luis Obispo County’s 80-mile (128 kilometers) stretch of Highway 1 is all about the landscapes, from the majestic rocky shore off Ragged Point all the way down to the wild, windswept dunes of Oceano.
These views of the prime Pacific coastline are prized, loved and highly photographed by locals and visitors alike. An endless list of activities are available along Highway 1. Spot passing whales and dolphins from the shore or aboard a watching tour. Laugh at the seals and otters playing amongst the surf. Marvel at the arts and antiques around every corner of Hearst Castle. Learn to surf the waves or paddle through sea caves. No matter what you choose, adventure along the Pacific Coast Highway for the California road trip of a lifetime!
Winding through San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast is a section of State Route 1 that provides a truly remarkable experience to travelers. Highway 1 between the city limits of San Luis Obispo and the northern San Luis Obispo County line is one of the most relaxing and beautiful in all of the nation. The highway stretches through valleys, along coastal ranges and the Pacific Ocean, into Monterey pine forests, on top of coastal terraces, and finally along sheer granite cliffs. The journey offers travelers an unsurpassed experience of California’s coastline.
Driving Directions
Highway 1 is the most iconic roadway in California, but not all sections are created equal. The length that passes along the coast through San Luis Obispo County brims with the best of the Highway 1 experience. And as the gateway to Big Sur, this stretch is well within reach. What sets us apart? One-hundred miles of Pacific coastline, half of which are protected. A national marine sanctuary and a national estuary. Thirteen state parks. An elephant seal rookery and Monarch butterfly preserves.
Points of Interest
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Ragged Point, a.k.a. the gateway to Big Sur
Enjoys a well-earned reputation among travelers as one of the best Highway 1 pit stops thanks to its grand views and A+ roadside nosh.
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Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery in San Simeon
Why not snap a selfie with a different kind of BFF: a 5,000 pound elephant seal? Catch them while you can at San Simeon’s Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.
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Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst started to build a fabulous estate on his ranchland overlooking the village of San Simeon in 1919; by 1947, the hilltop complex included a twin-towered main building, three sumptuous guesthouses, and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools.
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Morro Rock
Morro Rock is a most distinctive and recognizable landmark standing 576 feet tall and is perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of Morro Bay harbor.
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Mission de San Luis Obispo
One of California’s oldest communities, San Luis Obispo had its beginnings in the founding of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in 1772 by Father Junípero Serra.
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Estero Bluffs State Park
Estero Bluffs State Park is used as a greenbelt with scenic viewshed protection, passive recreation, and interpretive efforts. Its location and size ensures that travelers of Highway 1 will have an unobstructed view of Estero Bay, Morro Rock, and the Santa Lucia Range.
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Black Hill overlooking the Morro Bay Estuary
Black Hill overlooking the Morro Bay Estuary was included in the National Estuary Program (NEP) in July 1995. It contains the most significant wetland system on California’s south central coast.
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Fiscalini Ranch
The most outstanding natural feature of the Fiscalini Ranch is the dramatic ocean bluff that runs approximately one mile along the Pacific Coast Shoreline.
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San Simeon Pier
Before the advent of the railroad and easily traversed highways, most of the commerce in central California was conducted by ship and piers and wharfs were vitally important
Itinerary
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Iconic California
Day 1
Begin the day in picturesque Ragged Point, the “the gateway
to Big Sur”. Near the Ragged Point Inn you can access the Cliffside Trail, a
moderately strenuous 0.8-mile hike takes you to the 300-foot Black Swift
seasonal waterfall. Approximately 15
miles south is the historic Hearst Ranch, an outpost of the Hearst Castle.
While there, maybe catch an outdoor concert on its beautifully manicured
grounds during the summer. Lookout points along the 15 miles of highway toward
San Simeon offer visitors stunning views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and the
Pacific Ocean.Day 2
Once in San Simeon, visit the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal
Rookery where you can learn about these impressive mammals. Drive another 30
miles south to get a picture of Morro Rock, a state historic landmark sometimes
called the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” that sits in Morro Bay. This fishing
village offers something for foodies, birders and wine lovers.
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