California Coast Highway 1 – Point Lobos to Pismo Beach

by | Aug 15, 2022 | Western U.S. | 0 comments

Map showing trip location of California Coast Highway 1 Point Lobos to Pismo Beach Road Trip.

Quick Stats

Distance: 150 miles

Recommended time: 1 day

Highlights: Point Lobos coastal trail, epic drive down California coast, Hearst Castle, Oceano Sand Dunes on a quad

Main Highways: CA Highway 1

Point Lobos

Point Lobos doesn’t get near the attention of nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea or Big Sur, but it is a must-stop. The North Shore Trail along the ocean has tons of photo ops and spots where you can wander the surreal rock formations on the beach.

View from vista point looking into ocean with rocky islands and cliffs. Cypress trees in foreground. Blue sky above.
Point Lobos coastal trail north section
View of ocean with tan and black igneous rock formations in foreground. Blue sky above.
Point Lobos coastal trail, exploring the coastal rock
Stone stairs leading up a cliffside, Cypress tree above. Blue sky with no clouds.
Point Lobos coastal trail leading to a viewpoint

Big Sur

More of a general area than a real town (you’re never quite sure when you’ve entered or left), Big Sur is commonly rated among the most scenic drives in the world. It’s also known for its hikes, spectacular resorts such as Ventana, and its artist roots with stops like the Henry Miller Library (which has a small stage for bands).

An easy to miss stop is the 80-foot McWay Falls. You can see the falls from Highway 1, but I recommend pulling into Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park and taking the tunnel underneath Highway 1 for a better view.

Three-foot wooden donut shaped art monument structure on a stand, called the "portal to Big Sur."
The “portal” to Big Sur at the Ragged Point Inn
Single-lane road with mountains at left and ocean at right. Fog mist coming in over the road from ocean.
Near Big Sur
Bench at lower left, overlooking a bed of clouds covering the ocean below. Range of mountains at left and blue sky above.
I found this view near Camaldoli Hermitage, 2 miles up from Highway 1
Looking down green water beach cove, steep cliffs at left and waterfall flowing onto the sand below. Blue sky in background.
McWay Falls, Big Sur
Overlooking trees from a covered wooden deck with various wind chimes and ornaments. Blue sky in the background.
View from the shop below Nepenthe, known for its Ambrosia Burger
Large cement arched support street bridge at left, with cliffsides at center and ocean to the right. Cloudy skies above.
Iconic Bixby Bridge (1932)

Hearst Castle

If you haven’t heard of it, it is William Randolph Hearst’s famous mansion on a hill, built from 1919-1947. It’s one of those stops you have to see at least once in your life. A bus shuttles you to the mansion from the massive visitor center, and the twisty drive up the hill is part of the fun. He had a safari of animals, and you can still spot a zebra on occasion (I got lucky and saw a few). The most basic tour is the Grand Rooms Tour, which also covers my favorite part of the property – the Neptune Pool. Some of the artifacts on the property go back to 1500 BC!

Overlooking large pool, with greek columns and statues at Hearst Castle. Blue sky above.
Neptune Pool
A large Spanish-style tower at left, water fountain and pond at below right, and palm trees at center. Blue sky above.
Outside of main castle
Massive living room at Hearst Castle, with many couches, eight-foot high fireplace and tapestries hanging from walls.
Living room
Two zebras on the grounds of Hearst Castle, on yellow grass-covered rolling hills.
Zebra spotting on the grounds
Dining table that could seat over 20 people, with various flags above and ornate ceiling designs at the Hearst Castle.
Dining room

Cambria, Cayucos and Morro Bay

Cambria, Cayucos and Morro Bay are laid back beach towns with some cool things to check out. All are fun places to spend the night and wander down main street for good seafood and a drink at one of the dive bars. Morro Bay has Morro Rock, which looks like an island, but you can actually drive to it and take a walk at sunset. Cayucos has a pier and a lost-in-time main street, and Cambria has a nationally known pie shop cafe called Linn’s (try the olallieberry!).

Large rock in the sea at sundown, pier at left and pier light lit at upper right. Rock reflecting in the sea.
Morro Rock
Three power station smokestacks at left in the distance. Shop at right with sign that says "Shell Shop" on the roof. Blue sky with some fog and clouds.
Morro Bay, note the town’s beloved power plant stacks
Large rock in the sea at right at sundown, pier at center and pier light lat upper right. Rock reflecting in the sea.
Morro Bay Pier and Rock
Looking down Main Street of Morro Bay in the morning fog, with some street lights lit and some lights in shop windows.
Morro Bay
Sunset over the ocean and beach in Cambria, sun almost down and reflecting shades of orange on the ocean and water covered sand.
Cambria
Looking down the main street of small beach town called Cayucos, with single story buildings at left and some homes in distance at the right. Mountains behind the homes, blue sky above.
Cayucos
Mural on side of orange building that says "Old Cayucos Tavern," lady walking on sidewalk at left. Blue sky above.
Cayucos

Pismo Beach and Oceano

The highlight of Pismo Beach is the Oceano Dunes area. It was a blast being able to drive my 4Runner right on the beach (the only place in California where you can), and cruise up and down the shore checking out the whole RV/ATV sand dune culture scene (BBQ’s, dune buggies and blasting music!). I rented an ATV from Arnie’s, and it was awesome motoring all over the dunes, some of which are two stories high. I strongly recommend checking it out. The summer months are very busy, so book the ATV online in advance. Sadly, ATV use might be stopped in 2026 thanks to the California Coastal Commission.

While in Pismo I also came across the Pismo Preserve, a network of mountain biking and hiking trails in the hills above town. The Discovery Trail is a great 10-mile mountain bike trail that hits the top of the hills for some incredible coastal views, and is a fun ride down!

Close up of Mark Loftin at right wearing cap and sunglasses, black Toyota 4Runner car at left on the beach with ocean in background.
Oceano Beach
The top portion of hood of sand dune buggy at bottom, rolling sand dunes ahead. Grey sky.
Oceano Dunes
Dirt path with dried grass covered hills on each side, ocean ahead in the distance. Grey sky above.
Pismo Preserve
Series of rocks in foreground, with some trails on side of hill in background. Thick layer of fog with blue sky above the fog.
Pismo Preserve, Discovery Trail
Looking down at series of rock islands on the edge of the ocean from vista point a vista point. Blue sky with some clouds above.
Margo Dodd Park, Pismo Beach
Sundown underneath a thick layer of fog, orange sun barely getting through. Series of palm trees in front of the ocean.
Pismo Beach at sundown

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