Big Sur — Carmel to San Simeon (PCH south)

About this drive

The classic. 90 miles of ocean cliffs, redwoods, and Bixby Bridge. Start at sunrise from Carmel — the light through the fog on the first 20 miles is the reason to set an alarm. Build at least 2 hours of stop-and-shoot time into the schedule. Bixby is the headline, but McWay Falls, Ragged Point, and the Elephant Seal Vista down by Hearst are all worth their own 20 minutes. Fuel is a real concern southbound — fill at Big Sur Station and you’re committed for 50 miles. Limatour and Gorda each have one pump and they’re not always open.

Recommended stops

photo spot

Bixby Bridge

Mile 11.2

South-side pullout for the iconic side-on shot. Best light is 6:30-7:30am.

fuel

Big Sur Station

Mile 22.0

Last realistic fuel for 50 miles southbound. Top off here, no exceptions.

photo spot

McWay Falls

Mile 38.9

Julia Pfeiffer Burns turnoff. 5-min walk to the overlook — go before 10am to beat the crowd.

viewpoint

Ragged Point Inn

Mile 64.5

Coffee, restrooms, cliffside view, gift shop. Great mid-run break.

rest

Elephant Seal Vista

Mile 88.4

Hearst Castle pullout. Elephant seals every winter — wild thing to see from your car.

Photographers on this route

Recent drivers

9 community logs

Reviews

Ranked by frequency driven and photos contributed — never by speed.

R

Riley Park

@track_riley · 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

★★★★★

You forget you’re driving and just start staring at the ocean. Build double the time you think you’ll need. McWay Falls is a 5-minute walk worth it.

5/22/2026

S

Sam Whitford

@apex_sam · 2024 Porsche 718 GT4 RS

★★★★★

Did sunrise to sunset Carmel → San Simeon and back. The GT4 RS sang. Bixby at 6:45 AM was the photo of the year.

5/16/2026

J

Jess Tanaka

@cruise_jess · 2023 Acura NSX Type S

★★★★☆

Topped off at Big Sur Station like the seeder warned — would’ve been stranded otherwise. The drive south of Ragged Point gets quiet and that’s when it gets good.

5/10/2026

K

Kai Lindgren

@overland_kai · 2022 Toyota 4Runner

★★★★★

Elephant seal vista is wild. Did it in the 4Runner — not the fastest car on PCH but you don’t need fast to enjoy this road.

5/4/2026

A

Alex Quintero

@ridge_alex · 2021 BMW M3 Competition

★★★★★

No notes. The single best drive I’ve done in five years of doing this. Go.

4/25/2026

Conditions & tips