Update: June 30, 2011: Highway 1 just 15 miles South of Monterey near Rocky Creek is now OPEN 24/7 so if you’re heading to Big Sur from the Monterey and Carmel area (North) then no worries.
More good news is that the landslide at Alder’s Creek just South of Gorda has been cleared so Highway 1 is clear from Monterey to San Simeon!!!
As always, it’s a good idea to check Highway 1 Road Conditions before heading out to Big Sur!
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As of March 17, 2011, Big Sur is not accessible from the Monterey Bay. On March 16th a 40ft section of Highway 1 fell into the ocean. Fortunately nobody was injured and reports indicate it was due to erosion. The section of highway that fell is just South Rocky Creek Bridge. Fifteen miles South of Monterey.
- A 40 Foot Stretch of Big Sur Highway 1 Fell into the Ocean on March 16, 2011.
(AP Photo/Monterey Herald, Orville Myers)
There has been a hard shutdown of Highway 1 just past Rocky Creek Bridge. The temporary fix may not be in place for at least ONE MONTH. If you made plans to visit Big Sur while in Monterey, you’re going to have to cancel them. I’m sorry but this happens in Big Sur from time to time.
Update 3-27-2011: Due to more landslides, visiting Big Sur until further notice is not advised and probably impossible from both the North and South. It is an Emergency situation there with continual closures of Highway 1.
If you’re heart is set on visiting Big Sur, you have two options. Option one is to take Naciemiento-Ferguson road which really isn’t even an option as it is super windy and narrow and probably unstable after the winter rains. Your only real option is to get to Big Sur from the South through Cambria. Take Highway 101 South (From Monterey) to Highway 46 West and then hit Highway 1 North from there.
A little warning, Highway 1 from Cambria is a very windy road to put it lightly. Much moreso than the Northern part of Highway 1. There are hairpin turns that you’ll take at 15MPH while overlooking drop offs to the Pacific. No big deal, just pay attention to the road and take your time.
Please check Highway 1 Road Conditions first!
Total Bummer I know but until Highway 1 is back up, enjoy some Big Sur Videos
To visit Big Sur again was going to be the highpoint of my trip this week. After a few days in Vegas I drove out to cambria then got the bad news. It’s a lovely spot and I really enjoyed the Blue Bird motel but to miss the trip up the coast was a great pity. We could not double back as we were booked and paid for at the expensive Marriott in San Francisco that night. So now I’m back in the UK and jet lagged to hell. What a week to pick to visit California!
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Hi John,
Sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately Big Sur is Landslide city when we get hit hard with the Winter and Spring rain. Usually January thru late March is landslide season. This year is especially bad as we’re getting much more rain than usual. Believe it or not the best time to visit Big Sur and the Monterey Bay is late September thru October as this is when the fog lifts from the Summer months and the weather is the warmest before the cold Winter sets in. Hope this helps for your next trip to Big Sur. Take care.
Kevin
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How does one travel from San Simeon to Monterey bypassing the 1?
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SeizeTheDay-Monterey Reply:
April 26th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
=)
Hi Beth,
Thank you for commenting. Highway 1 Road Conditions change constantly so be sure to check before leaving to avoid taking a longer route than necessary. Especially with gas prices so high.
From San Simeon take Highway 1 South to Cambria and then take Highway 46 East to Highway 101 North.
From Highway 101 exit Highway 156 West which will merge into Highway 1 South.
Hope this helps.
Kevin
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