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Route
Description - Between San Francisco
and San Luis Obispo, Highway 1 clings tightly to the edge
of the continent. For 250 miles the road unfolds an ever-changing
panorama of headlands and terraces, beaches, and lagoons.
From tidepools to redwood forests, the area’s natural communities
are wonderfully diverse, and wildlife watching, like the scenery,
can be spectacular. Trees shimmering with monarch butterflies,
noisy elephant seal rookeries, sea otters bobbing in the surf,
and a world-class aquarium are just a few of the attractions.
Because so much of this route remains undeveloped, motorists
following the narrow, winding coastal road may feel as though
they’ve also traveled back in time.
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Marine Reserve |
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Location:
North of Half Moon Bay at Moss Beach on Highway 1.
Turn west on California Ave. and drive to parking area.
What
to See: Rocky
shale reefs and sandy beaches rest below 50 feet of
towering sandstone cliffs. This environment has created
one of California' s most diverse intertidal regions.
Sea urchins, sea anemones, sea stars, nudibranches,
and crabs as well as sea palms and surf grass are revealed
by low and medium tides. Offshore kelp beds provide
shelter for rockfish, cabezon and other fish. Shorebirds,
waterfowl and marine birds visit in season. Grassy
uplands and Monterey cypress provide habitat for songbirds,
birds of prey and black-tailed deer.
Visiting
tips: Limited
parking is available. Check tidetables for tidepool
viewing.
Contact:
San
Mateo County (650) 728-3584
Group
Reservations: call the Coyote Point Museum
at (650) 340-7598.
Local Accommodations and Travel Information:
Half
Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce
Location:
3 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1. Parking
area for trailhead is on the west side of the road.
What
to See: Just
a half-mile walk from the highway takes you worlds away.
The trail is surrounded by active farms that have been
growing artichokes, sprouts and other vegetables for
over 125 years. The terrace sits 150 feet above the
water and offers excellent views of a harbor seal haul-out
site. Red-tail hawks glide on thermal currents close
to the bluffs. California brown pelicans and gulls
swoop down for fish throughout the year. The beach
is accessed by stairs at the vista point.
Visiting
tips: Marine
birds and birds of prey are visible year-round. For
best viewing, bring binoculars.
Contact:
(650) 726-8820
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Half Moon Bay Chamber
of Commerce
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| Location: North of Pescadero: from Highway 1 go east on Pescadero
Rd. 2.5 miles, then turn south on Cloverdale Rd. and drive
4 miles to entrance. South of Pescadero: from Highway
1 go east on Gazos Creek Rd. 2 miles, then turn north
on Cloverdale Rd. and drive 1.2 miles to entrance.
What
to See: Old-growth
redwoods provide nesting habitat for winter wrens, varied
thrushes, and marbled murrelets. Chickadees and arboreal
salamanders inhabit the groves of live oaks. Temporary
sag ponds shelter California newts, which share the spongy
topsoil with banana slugs and locally rare Calypso orchids.
Pacific giant salamanders, rainbow trout, and California
red-legged frogs reside in the creek that runs through
the park. Willows and alders along the lower creek house
black-headed grosbeaks, Swainson's thrushes, Wilson's
warblers, and other migratory birds. The ridgetop chaparral
affords views of western fence lizards and rare sightings
of American peregrine falcons.
Visiting
tips: Mammals and songbirds are visible year round. During
the spring and summer, Murrelets are present, heard but
rarely seen. Warning: watch for ticks, poison oak, and
stinging nettle.
Contact:
Butano
State Park (650) 879-2040
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Half
Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce
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Ano
Nuevo State Reserve |
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Location: 25 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1.
What
to See: The main attraction at northern and central California's
most important pinniped rookery, are the amazing two-ton
northern elephant seals. The reserve is a windswept world
of sand dunes, surf-resistant mudstone ridges, and massive
black mounds built by polychaete worms. California and
threatened Steller sea lions breed on Ano Nuevo Island.
Offshore waters contain endangered gray whales, northern
fur seals, threatened sea otters and loons, grebes, marbled
murrelets, and several gull species. More than 300 species
of invertebrates and migratory shorebirds are abundant
in the tidepools. In addition, waterfowl, songbirds,
birds of prey, Santa Cruz salamanders and San Francisco
garter snakes are attracted by a freshwater pond and brushy
uplands located on the reserve.
Visiting tips: Fall
and spring give excellent viewing of more than 250 bird
species. The best whale-watching times are December -
January and March-April. Elephant seal viewing is best
December through March for fighting, breeding, birthing
and weaning; April through August has best viewing for
molting. Reservations are required Dec
15 - Mar 31. Reservations open on October 20th
for individuals and on the first Saturday of October for
school tours; accessible
tours available. Visitor Center on site.
Contact:
Ano Nuevo
State Park(650) 879-2025 Recorded Info:
(650) 879-0227
For Ańo Nuevo Guided Walk reservations call 800-444-4445
International Reservations (916) 638-5883
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Half
Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce
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Elkhorn
Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve |
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| Location: North of Moss Landing on Highway 1. Take Dolan Rd.
east 3.5 miles to Elkhorn Rd., then turn left and drive
2.2 miles to entrance.
What
to See: Monterey
pines and coast live oak on rolling hills overlook meandering
tidal creeks and restored salt marshes that form an outstanding
Monterey Bay wetland and one of nineteen National Estuarine
Research Reserves. The uplands are favored by black-tailed
deer and are hunted by red-shouldered hawks, black-shouldered
kites, and northern harriers. Shore birds including marbled
godwits, ruddy turnstones, and western sandpipers occupy
the area. Trees along the South Marsh Loop shelter acorn
woodpeckers and hummingbirds, tree swallows, and yellow-rumped
warblers. Great blue herons and great egrets use the
Monterey pine as a rookery. The marshes offer excellent
views of common goldeneyes and buffleheads; deep water
attracts double-crested cormorants, red-throated loons,
ospreys, and endangered California brown pelicans. Look
from a boardwalk to see the feeding behavior of leopard
and smooth-hound sharks. Look for harbor seals and threatened
southern sea otters in the main slough channels.
Visiting
tips: More
than 250 bird species available for viewing. Fall and
winter offer excellent views of waterfowl, wading birds
and shorebirds. To see songbirds or shark feeding, the
best time to visit is in the fall and spring. The estuary
provides an important fish nursery. There are many trails
and a paved overlook. Tours are available at the visitor
center.
Contact:
Elkhorn Slough Reserve
(831) 728-2822
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Moss Landing Chamber of Commerce
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce |
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Monterey
Bay Aquarium |
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| Location:
Monterey. From south: exit Highway 1 at Hwy.
68 West/Pacific Grove, drive 4 miles to David Ave.,
then turn right and go 1 mile to aquarium. From
north: exit Highway 1 at Pacific Grove/Del Monte
Ave. and follow signs to aquarium.
What
to See: One of the world's best aquariums,
which has more than 100 habitat exhibits and 360,000
examples of Monterey Bay marine life. The world's
largest window gives a great view of the million-gallon
Outer Bay exhibit. You'll see schooling tuna, giant
ocean sunfish, barracuda, green sea turtles, and
blue sharks. The largest display of delicate jellyfishes
anywhere is housed in the Drifters gallery. The
Kelp Forest is one of the tallest aquariums in the
world. This exhibit circulates sea water from the
bay; schools of fishes and an occasional diver are
visible among the swaying kelp canopy. In addition
to the many exhibits at the aquarium, touch pools
entice visitors to feel everything from decorator
crabs to bat rays. Monterey Bay, one of the richest
marine regions in the world, has been designated
a National Marine Sanctuary.
Visiting
tips: Universally accessible and excellent
year-round viewing.
Contact:
Monterey Bay Aquarium (831)
648-4800
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
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Carmel
River State Beach |
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| Location:
Carmel. From Highway 1 turn west on Rio
Rd., drive to Santa Lucia Street and turn left,
go 5 blocks and turn left on Carmelo st., then
drive 0.4 mile to parking area. What
to See: The Carmel River flows
into the Carmel River Bird Sanctuary's brackish
lagoon, continues through the sandy beach
and empties into the coastal waters that are
part of an underwater ecological and sea otter
reserve. Vegetation that borders the mouth
of the lagoon attracts migratory gulls, waterfowl,
and shorebirds as well as resident great egrets
and great blue herons. Black-crowned night
herons feed in the shallow waters. California
hydrocoral, sea anemones, kelp and other marine
life are part of the great underwater scene
available to divers in the underwater reserve,
which extends from Pescadero Point to Point
Lobos. Occasionally, harbor seals, endangered
gray whales and threatened southern sea otters
are visible from shore.
Visiting
Tips: Excellent view of waterfowl and shorebirds available
in the fall and winter. Year-round viewing
of marine and wading birds is great. THE
BEACH IS UNSAFE FOR SWIMMING. COLLECTING
FROM THE UNDERWATER RESERVE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Contact:
Carmel
River State Beach (831) 649-2936
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Carmel Chamber of Commerce
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau
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| Point
Lobos State Reserve |
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Location: 3.5 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1.
What
to See: Besides beaches, this
beautiful and rugged point features meadows,
forested headlands, sheltered coves and rocky
tidepools. Mounded dusky woodrat houses are
visible from the Cypress Grove Trail that
winds through a world-famous Monterey cypress
grove. Black-tailed deer, brush rabbits,
and bobcat can be seen in Carmelo Meadow.
The waters surrounding Sea Lion Point offer
views of harbor seals, southern sea otters
and black oystercatchers. Bird Island Overlook
shelters up to 2,000 nesting Brandt's cormorants.
Divers can explore kelp beds, sea stars and
other marine life in an underwater ecological
reserve located at Whaler's Cove.
Visiting
tips: More
than 150 bird species can be found here.
Year-round viewing of shorebirds, sea otters
and harbor seals. Spring and summer are the
best times to view marine birds. Watch for
sea lions from August through May. January
to March is a great time to look for gray
whales. Guided tours are available. Dangerous
surf. See Diving regulations. No Collecting.
Watch for poison oak.
Contact:
Point Lobos State Park
(831) 624-4909
California
State Parks - Point Lobos
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Carmel Chamber of Commerce
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
Andrew
Molera State Park |
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| Location:
21 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1. What
to See: Molera Point is where
the Big Sur River enters the Pacific Ocean.
On
its way, the river descends through redwoods,
pines, oaks and madrones, and then meanders
by grasslands and meadows. The Headlands
Trail overlooks offshore rocks populated by
western gulls, Brandt's cormorants, harbor
seals, and sea lions. Threatened sea otters
float among rafts of kelp, and endangered
gray whales pass
by offshore. There is a two-mile stretch
of beach below marine terraces and meadows
that attract
black-tailed deer and birds of prey. Trails
among the streams offer glimpses of bobcats,
belted kingfishers, and great blue herons.
Seven species of
snake inhabit the park, including aquatic
garter snakes and western rattlesnakes. Seasonal
viewing includes hummingbirds, swallows, warblers
and vireos.
Visiting
tips: Excellent
views of marine birds and birds of prey are
available all year. Winter is the best time
to see shorebirds and waterfowl. Spring and
summer are the best for viewing songbirds.
December through February is the best time
to whale-watch from the end of Headlands Trail.
A primitive walk-in campground and equestrian
trails are found at the park. Watch out for
waves, poison oak and ticks.
Contact:
Andrew
Molera State Park (831)-667-2315
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
Big
Sur Coast/Ventana Wilderness |
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Location:
Viewing along Highway 1 begins 0.75 mile south
of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. There are
several paved vista points.
What
to See: Wave-sculpted blowholes
and sea stacks populated by Brandt's cormorants,
black oystercatchers and other birds highlight
the beautiful white sand coastline. The beaches
provide sustenance for many shorebirds. Endangered
Smith's blue butterflies inhabit buckwheat
on the coastal bluffs during the spring and
summer. Wintering loons, scoters and resident
harbor seals are visible in nearshore waters.
Northern elephant seals and California gray
whales may be seen farther out. 165,000 acres
of Ventana Wilderness surround several coast
overlooks. Wildlife populations include marbled
murrelets, spotted owls, and endangered birds
of prey.
Visiting
tips: More
than 200 bird species can be seen. Marine
birds, shorebirds and brown pelicans can be
viewed all year, with the best viewing in
winter; also look for waterfowl in winter.
Some birds of prey, marine mammals, deer and
small mammals may be viewed year-round. December
to April is the best time to spot gray whales.
Enter Ventana Wilderness at Big Sur Station.
Contact:
USDA Forest
Service - Ventana Wilderness (831)
667-2423, (831) 385-5434
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
Gorda
Overlook |
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Location:
Gorda,
on west side of Highway 1.
What
to See: This
bluff-top viewing platform gives spectacular
coastal vistas and close views of hundreds
of northern seals during the winter and spring.
Binoculars are not needed to see these magnificent
pinnipeds. However, you will need lenses
to see southern sea otters near the surf,
dolphins “porpoising” through the waves, and
California gray whales passing by during winter
and spring migrations. Smith's blue butterflies
may be spotted during summer; please give
these endangered insects plenty of room and
observe from a distance. Gulls, brown pelicans
and peregrine falcons as well as shorebirds
can be seen at this location.
Visiting
tips: Excellent
chance of seeing elephant seals.
Contact:
(831)
385-5434
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information: Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau |
Morro
Bay State Park |
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| Location:
From Morro Bay (town) the park is a short
drive south on Main St.
What
to See: Creekside wetlands, salt
marsh sloughs, open water, eel grass beds,
and Morro Rock are included in this remarkable
estuary. The park also acts as a reserve
for endangered peregrine falcons. The park’s
museum offers views of thousands of migratory
loons, buffleheads, wigeons, and northern
pintails as well as resident cormorants, American
white pelicans, and brown pelicans. The bay
offers views of harbor seals, sea lions and
southern sea otters. The nature preserve
gives great views of great blue herons, great
egrets, and black-crowned night herons. The
eucalyptus trees provide habitat for monarch
butterflies, hummingbirds and red-shouldered
hawks.
Visiting
tips: More
than 400 bird species exist in the county.
There is year-round viewing of waterfowl,
marine birds, wading birds and songbirds,
plus the opportunity to watch shorebirds from
fall through spring.
Contact:
Morro Bay State Park
(805) 772-2560
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Morro Bay Visitors Bureau & Chamber of Commerce
San Luis Obispo County Visitors Bureau
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Montana
De Oro State Park |
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| Location:
Exit Highway 1 at Los Osos. Drive 12
miles to park entrance. What
to See: This park is named after
the golden poppies and mustard blooms that
cover the hills. Cliffs, sand dunes, beaches,
sea stacks and a 9-mile underwater reef make
this a great location. The Morro Bay dune
spit is a reserve for the endangered Morro
Bay kangaroo rat that also attracts black-tailed
deer, peregrine falcons and nesting snowy
plovers. Tidepools glisten at Corallina Cove,
an area populated by harbor seals, southern
sea otters , brown pelicans, black oystercatchers
and other marine birds. Red-tailed hawks
and turkey vultures hover above the vegetation
that conceals raccoons, gray foxes, badgers,
bobcats and even mountain lions. Monarch
butterflies spend the winter here.
Visiting
tips: There
is a high probability of seeing shorebirds
and wading birds throughout the year. Winter
is the best time to watch waterfowl. Birds
of prey and marine birds are visible in the
spring, and songbirds in the fall. Seals,
otters, and land mammals may be seen year-round.
Horses are allowed on the trails, but dogs
are not. Dangerous surf.
Contact
Montano
de Oro State Park (805) 528-0513
or (805) 772-7434
Local
Accommodations and Travel Information:
Los Osos-Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce
San Luis Obispo County Visitors Bureau |
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