The Route 1 San Luis Obispo North Coast Scenic Byway Corridor

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The most outstanding natural feature of the Fiscalini Ranch is the dramatic ocean bluff that runs approximately one mile along the Pacific Coast Shoreline.

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

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.