4/4/2023 0 Comments Charmas boardwalk bowl cover![]() Hearst Memorial State Beach, which was once used as a port for receiving Hearst’s vast collection of antiquities. Tiny Old San Simeon is home to a fishing pier that provides sunset vistas and overlooks William R. ![]() Today you can still see zebras, left to roam freely following the zoo’s slow dismantling in the mid-20th century, grazing along Highway 1’s hillside pastures. The surrounding landscape was also once one of the world’s largest private zoos. The property is also home to numerous guest houses, two pools, and an incredible art collection, including Italian Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova’s marble Venus Italica, displayed in the castle’s Assembly Room. First-timers should also check out the Grand Rooms tour, which highlights the extraordinary social rooms of Hearst’s 115-room main house, Casa Grande. To celebrate, the castle added a new two-hour Julia Morgan tour, which includes rarely seen areas of the property that showcase her extraordinary work. During its fabled heyday, this property played host to everyone from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to movie stars such as Cary Grant.Īfter a two-year closure, the Hearst Castle reopened in May 2022, just in time for Morgan’s 150th birthday anniversary. Architect Julia Morgan designed the hilltop castle in the early-to-mid 20th century. One of the most popular stops along Highway 1, the opulent estate of publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst overlooks the village of San Simeon. Read More: Must-See Wildlife Migrations in the West It still acts as a beacon for incoming ships, and it is open for guided tours throughout the year. The free rookery features an accessible boardwalk and several observation platforms for safe viewing, and it is an easy 3.2 mile round-trip hike to the Piedras Blancas Light Station, a 70-foot-tall brick lighthouse constructed in 1875 and automated a century later. In September and October, the bulk of adult elephant seals head back into the water, with the males returning in December to fight for mating rights. Birthing and breeding typically take place in January and February. The best time to visit is December through May. Nearly 25,000 of them make use of the Piedras Blancas coastline annually. Although they spend the majority of their lives at sea, these earless seals prefer sandy beaches for mating, birthing, and molting. Things to do Along Highway 1, from Big Sur to San Luis Obispo Piedras Blancas RookeryĪbout 10 miles south of Big Sur’s southernmost point, Piedras Blancas is one of the most accessible elephant seal rookeries on the planet. Cell service along Highway 1 is unreliable at best, so plan ahead. The AAA Mobile app is a great source for finding gas stations and comparing prices, so be sure and download it beforehand, as well as a GPS map that you can save to your phone to use offline. If you do want to savor the view, use one of the turn-outs-though for safety, stick to those on your side of the road.įill up your tank in Big Sur-there is only one gas station in the 40 miles of highway down to Cambria. Driving earlier in the day and/or on a weekday is best and, despite all the beauty, keep your eyes on the road. Skies start clearing up by April, but expect some rainy days through May.ĭrive tip: Traffic on this stretch of Highway 1 can be heavy, especially around Hearst Castle. ![]() The Central Coast’s rainy season typically begins in late October and runs through winter. However, fires are an increasing risk during fall, so check the local fire risk before going. When to go: Spring and autumn are the best times to avoid summer crowds, and these seasons offer some of the most pleasant weather. Total distance: 57 miles from Ragged Point, the southern gateway of Big Sur, to the city of San Luis Obispo.Įstimated drive time: About an hour and 15 minutes if you drive straight through-though there’s plenty to see and do along the way, as well as campgrounds if you’d like to bed down for a night or two. Whether it’s chowing down on fresh seafood, kayaking among playful sea otters, or touring the opulent rooms of an American castle, this section of Highway 1 packs a lot into a short distance. But the stretch from Monterey County to San Luis Obispo County’s Morro Bay is one of the most scenic, with stunning vistas, lovely seaside hamlets, and incredible whale watching opportunities (just look for the Whale Trail interpretive signs along the roadside). The Pacific Coast Highway, officially named State Route 1, winds from Leggett to Dana Point, California.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |