Route from Monterey to Cambria

Question

Hi,

We're driving down from Monterey to Cambria, and the plan was to just head south on the Pacific Highway.

Just learnt about the road closure from Esalen Institute!!

Not sure what to do as the point of the trip was to drive down the costal road.

Are there any other routes I can take turning off just before I reach Esalen or do I just need to divert fully and use the 101?

Thanks in advance

Answer

Unfortunately, the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) south of the Esalen Institute area near Big Sur has experienced closures in recent years due to landslides and road damage. If the closure affects your travel dates, you will need to plan a detour to continue safely to Cambria.

Here are your main options:

Full detour via US-101: The most reliable and safest option is to turn off Highway 1 before the closed section and head east to connect with US-101 southbound. From Monterey, you can take Highway 68 to Salinas, then US-101 south to reach Cambria. This route adds some inland driving but ensures you avoid any blocked or dangerous sections of the coast.
Partial scenic detour: If the closure is north of Big Sur (near Esalen/Big Sur area), you could drive as far south as Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park or other accessible scenic areas, then return north or detour east to US-101. This way, you still experience part of the coastal drive without attempting to traverse the closed section.
Check for local shuttle or alternative coastal access: Occasionally, limited access may be allowed via local shuttles or controlled one-way openings. Check the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) website or local Big Sur visitor resources before your trip to see if any temporary coastal routes are open.

In summary, if your goal is to continue safely to Cambria, you will likely need to divert to US-101. You can still enjoy scenic coastal stretches before the closure, but the continuous drive along Highway 1 to Cambria will not be possible until the road is fully reopened.