Monterey to LA along pacific coast highway

Question

Travelling from Ireland in June to Yosemite for a few days then plan on driving back to Monterey for 1 night, then down to Pismo beach for a night before heading down to LA. There seems to be a road closure along the coastal highway From Turnout South of Vicente Creek to Turnout South of Lime Creek in Big Sur. There is no date for this to reopen, so looking for advice as to how best to see as much of the coastal highway while still sticking to the plan. I can’t seem to find any alternative routes without going along highway 101. Any help appreciated.

thanks.

Answer

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) from Monterey to Los Angeles is one of California’s most scenic routes, but as you’ve noted, sections of Big Sur are prone to closures due to landslides, roadwork, or erosion. The closure you mentioned—from south of Vicente Creek to south of Lime Creek—is a common choke point that can block through traffic. Since there’s no confirmed reopening date, you will need to plan a detour while still capturing some coastal scenery.

Here’s how you can approach it:

Alternative route via Highway 101: The most reliable way around the closed section is to take US-101 inland. From Monterey, you can head east on CA-68 toward Salinas, then join US-101 south toward San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. This route bypasses Big Sur but is efficient and avoids the risk of sudden closures.
Partial coastal experience: To see as much of the coast as possible, you can still drive the northern and southern accessible segments of Highway 1. For example:
- From Monterey, drive south along Highway 1 through Carmel, Point Lobos, and Bixby Creek Bridge before reaching the closure. Stop at pullouts and viewpoints along the way for photos.
- Once you hit the closure near Lime Creek, backtrack or return to US-101 to continue south.
- Closer to San Luis Obispo, you can rejoin Highway 1 for the Pismo Beach and Morro Bay stretch, enjoying coastal cliffs, beaches, and scenic vistas.
Timing and overnight stops: Since you plan to spend one night in Monterey and one in Pismo Beach, consider:
- Monterey: Explore Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and 17-Mile Drive.
- Drive south along accessible Highway 1 sections in the morning, then switch to US-101 for a faster inland drive to Pismo Beach by evening.
- Pismo Beach: Enjoy the beach, boardwalk, and sunset cliffs.
Scenic alternatives: If you want extra coastal views without driving Highway 1 continuously, you can consider:
- Cambria/Elephant Seal Vista Point near San Simeon.
- Morro Bay and Morro Rock viewpoints.
- Cayucos and Harmony area along the coast before reaching Pismo Beach.

Key advice:

Check Caltrans’ website or Google Maps for real-time closures before starting your drive each day.
Allow extra driving time since the scenic stops will slow you down.
Consider keeping your Monterey to Pismo drive flexible, as conditions in Big Sur can change quickly.

By combining accessible portions of Highway 1 with US-101 for the inland bypass, you can enjoy most of the iconic coastal views without risking being stuck at a closure.

Monterey to LA along pacific coast highway

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