Drive from Monterey to Big Sur
 

Planning a trip to Monterey in Dec. 09. Would love to drive down to Big Sur and Ragged Point. However, I don't like to drive through mountainous terrain as in Florida I don't have to contend with that (sm). Will I have to go through a difficult mountain range to hit Hwy 1? I don't mind the curvy or narrow roads. It would be a shame to miss this incredible wonder if I don't have to. Also, is it really foggy during that time of the year there? Please help. Thanks

All the roads are highways, but if you fear heights and the feeling that you may drive over the edge... then you may freak... The PCH is truly a wonder and driving South puts you on the Ocean edge... some of the best scenery in the world!!! go for it!!

It's not a difficult road to drive, IMO, but it does curve a lot, and it does rise and fall some. Millions of people do it every year, I bet you'll be fine, and the scenery is well worth it. Dec is not known as a foggy month, although anything is possible.

I have posted a trip report which includes exactly this drive:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ne-country.cfm

The highway is not montainous, instead it is broad, no narrow curves and no heavy traffic. It is easy driving at 40 mp/h or so with lots of pullouts for taking pictures. The drive is the pleasure.

Whatever your reservations about roads are, drive to Big Sur anyway. It will be well worth any discomfort you may have. You'll be glad you did. I promise.

One more thing: the greatest risk of coastal fog in Monterey County is in the summer months. But even if you get a little fog, it adds to the spectacle of the terrain.

If it is raining, forget it.

I'vwe been behind you people from FL creeping along at 10 mph...(I used to be one).

There are a few sections with steep hairpin turns (I'm not sure what road traveller1959 was on). My advice is to do it on a weekday when there will be less traffic if at all possible.

Please do pull over at the pullouts when the line behind you gets too long.

This section of Hwy 1 is not the PCH - it's the Cabrillo Highway. PCH is in Southern Calif.

Stu Dudley

I am a fellow Floridian and have made the trip twice. Do it! Just keep you eyes on the road and pull into the pull offs to enjoy the view. And take turns driving so you all can enjoy just looking!

Did it once in December and there was no fog. Don't miss Phiffer (sp) Beach. It is amazing (especially to a Floridian!)

For Google purposes, it's Pfeiffer Beach--tricky to find the turnoff, but well worth it, indeed. Purple sand, a giant hole carved in a cliff by the sea--pretty remarkable.

Yes, Pfeiffer Beach IS incredibly beautiful. But the road down to the beach is narrow, winding and steep (but not long and you are expected to drive very slowly).

The road down to the beach is very difficult to find, because there is no sign on highway 1. The turnoff is exactly 0.6 miles south of the Pfeiffer State Park ranger station and the only paved road which is without a gate. The name of the road is "Sycamore Canyon Road".

Sorry for my archaic directions. My kids will laugh at me.

The turnoff is 36°14'24.60" N 121°46'37.70 W, the Pfeiffer Beach parking lot is 36°14'18.04" N 121°48'47.08 W.

How far is Pfeiffer Beach from McWay Falls overlook? I've seen the falls, and plan on a return trip in 2 weeks, and would love to see purple sand!

About 14, 15 miles northwards.

I have just looked at my photos, because I did not recall purple sand. The sand is mainly just ordinary, but close to the waterline, there is indeed a thin layer of purple sand.

Strangely, I did not notice when I was there this spring (but we had a strong blasting wind), but I have caught it on my pictures. Thank you, NewbE - you made me enjoy our trip twice.

Much thanks to all of you for your encouraging and empowering responses. It's onward for me! I will be sure to post my trip narrative when I get back and how I faced my fears and conquered them! All the best!

There are several signs on the road to Pfeiffer beach - faciny the "opposite" direction so you can only see the back of the signs (one is a stop sign, I believe). The turnoff (if you are traveling south) is just past a bridge, then just past another road that goes uphill & stops at a gate. The road to Pfeiffer beach actually starts downhill from Hwy 1. I've been there 20-30 times over the past 40 years, but not recently. I don't recall the road being steep - just narrow & a little winding past the ferns & thick brush. It's "too" windy at Pfeiffer beach about 70% of the time. Back in the 70s, much of it was "swimsuit optional" - don't know if it still is. It's a beautiful beach. A scene from "From Here to Eternity" was filmed there.

Note that there is also a Pfeiffer State park and a Julia Pfeiffer Burns park in addition to Pfeiffer Beach.

Stu Dudley

Be sure to go to Carmel at some point. Drive to the very southern end of Dolores St and stop at the Mission Ranch. Have a drink or bite to eat out on their restaurant deck which looks over a beautiful mountain-ringed meadow towards the sea. One of my favorite places!

If you keep going just a bit past Big Sur (30 mi south of Carmel), you'll come to a restaurant/shop on the ocean side...Nepenthe. It's worth a stop for the wonderful view from the ouside terrace of their Cafe Kevah. You don't have to go to the main restaurant, and you don't even have to purchase anything from the Cafe Kevah counter (but you'll want to!) You can just stop by for a quick break and look at the view. The shop below is very cool, too, with lots of local merchandise.

Stu, how long of a drive from "home" is Pfeiffer Beach?

With no traffic, 1 3/4 hrs to Ocean Ave exit to Carmel, 45 mins to Pfeiffer Beach exit, then 1/4 hr down road to the beach parking lot. Budget 3 1/4 hrs on a Sat or Sunday or if you leave "home" at 10:30 to avoid all the commute traffic.

Stu Dudley

Thanks!

As others have said, fog is not usually a problem in Dec. However the one thing to keep in mind is if it rains (and we could really use rain here in California). December is one of the rainy months and if it rains heavily, Highway 1 to Big Sur often has rock and mudslides that close the road. There was a fire in 2008 that may make mudslides even more likely although I am sure some of the vegetation is filling back in. In Dec 2005 my DD, her boyfriend and I drove to SF from San Diego and were going to drive through Big Sur on the way home. Unfortunately the rains changed those plans. So if it happens to rain during your visit, make sure you check road condition reports.

What are some nice hotels to stay in on this trip?

I've heard that we are supposed to have an El Nino year, so rain could very well impact your trip. Play it by ear. If the weather makes Big Sur a bad idea, there are plenty of other things to see - Point Lobos state park just south of Carmel has some fabulous scenery and because you can see quite a bit from the car or with short walks, it is a good choice during inclement weather because you can get back in the car quickly :)

Topping this to thank everyone for the tip-off about the purple-sanded Pfeiffer Beach! It was so windy when we were there 3 1/2 weeks ago, it was hard to enjoy it long, but it sure was fun to see the purple sand.

Here are my pictures of it in case anyone is wondering if the sand <i> really </i> is purple. http://byamazinggrace.blogspot.com/2...ple-proof.html

And, yes, I boosted the saturation in Photoshop just a little bit, but the purple really is there. :)