Golden Gate to Big Sur: Self-Guided Highway 1 Driving Trip

Key facts

What's included

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 Pass by

   San Francisco’s lively waterfront, seen from the car. Look out for the sea lions that have lounged on the Pier 39 docks since 1990, the historic fishing boats, and the crab stands and sourdough bakeries Fisherman’s Wharf is known for. Alcatraz sits out in the bay. Come back on foot later if you want clam chowder in a bread bowl.

2. Stop 2 Pass by

   Drive down the famous “crookedest street in the world”, a single steep block with eight tight hairpin bends lined with flowerbeds and grand houses. The curves were added in the 1920s because the hill was too steep to drive straight down. Take it slowly, enjoy the views over the bay and Coit Tower, and expect plenty of photographers at the bottom.

3. Stop 3

   A dreamlike Roman-style rotunda and colonnade beside a peaceful lagoon, built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition that celebrated the city’s rebirth after the 1906 earthquake. It’s one of San Francisco’s most photographed spots. Park nearby, stroll among the towering columns and watch the swans and ducks on the water.

   20 minutes

4. Stop 4

   Finish the city tour beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Point, a brick fort completed in 1861 to guard the bay, sits right under the bridge’s southern end; engineers built a special arch to save it. Nearby viewpoints like Battery Godfrey give sweeping views of the bridge’s International Orange towers and the Marin Headlands. PLEASE NOTE: Fort Point opens on limited days, so check hours

   30 minutes

5. Stop 5 Pass by

   The cottage that started Carmel’s fairytale look. Builder Hugh Comstock created it in 1924 to display his wife’s handmade dolls, with a steep crooked roof and storybook details. Neighbours loved it so much that he went on to build many more, giving Carmel-by-the-Sea its famous storybook character. Admire it from the street, as it is a private home.

6. Stop 6

   A sweep of powdery white sand at the bottom of Ocean Avenue, framed by windswept Monterey cypress trees and turquoise water. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the Central Coast and famously dog-friendly. Walk barefoot along the shore, watch surfers in the waves, or come back at sunset when locals gather to watch the sun drop into the Pacific.

   30 minutes

7. Stop 7

   Founded in 1771 by Father Junípero Serra, this is one of California’s most beautiful missions and his final resting place. The stone church, completed in 1797, has a distinctive bell tower and sits among peaceful gardens and courtyards. Explore the museum rooms, chapel and cemetery to learn about early California. PLEASE NOTE: An entry fee applies and NOT INCLUDED in the cost of the tour

   45 minutes

8. Stop 8

   Often called the crown jewel of California’s state parks. Short, easy trails lead to hidden coves of emerald water, rare Monterey cypress groves and rocky headlands. Look for sea otters, harbor seals and sea lions, and migrating whales in season. There’s a vehicle entry fee and parking inside fills early, so arrive in the morning. PLEASE NOTE: Vehicle entry fee (free if you park on Highway 1 and walk in).

   1 hour

9. Stop 9

   Big Sur’s most famous landmark and one of the most photographed bridges in California. Completed in 1932, its graceful concrete arch spans a deep canyon around 260 feet above the creek, with the Pacific crashing below. Pull into the turnout on the north side for the classic view, and take care, as it gets busy and the road is narrow.

   15 minutes

10. Stop 10

    Step out of the car and into the redwoods. This park, named after one of Big Sur’s pioneer families, has towering trees, the clear Big Sur River and shaded trails for every fitness level. Stretch your legs on a short forest walk, picnic by the river, or visit the historic lodge. A day-use parking fee applies. A great mid-drive break. PLEASE NOTE: Day-use parking fee per vehicle

    1 hour

11. Stop 11

    A Big Sur institution since 1949, perched on a cliff roughly 800 feet above the Pacific. The family-run restaurant stands on land once owned by Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. Grab a table on the terrace, order the famous Ambrosia burger, and take in one of the most spectacular views on the whole coast. Expect a wait at peak lunch times. PLEASE NOTE: Free to visit but you pay for food.

    1 hour

12. Stop 12

    The perfect finale to the Big Sur drive. In Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, an easy, short walk leads to an overlook where an 80-foot waterfall pours straight onto a golden beach in a turquoise cove. The beach itself is off-limits, which keeps it pristine. Sunset is magical here. Parking is limited and a day-use fee applies in the park lot. PLEASE NOTE: Day-use parking fee in the park lot (free if you park on the highway shoulder)

    30 minutes

13. Stop 13 Pass by

    Solvang was founded in 1911 by Danish settlers, and its windmills, half-timbered buildings and bakeries make it feel like a slice of Denmark. Try aebleskiver, the Danish pancake balls. Next door, Old Mission Santa Inés, founded in 1804, has a peaceful church, gardens and museum telling the story of the valley’s Spanish and Native history.

14. Stop 14

    The heart of the Sideways wine trail. Follow the rolling vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley to wineries such as Fess Parker, Firestone and Beckmen, then explore the charming small town of Los Olivos, packed with tasting rooms, galleries and cafés. Tasting fees apply, so plan a designated driver and take your time sampling the local Pinot Noir. PLEASE NOTE: Individual wine tasting costs not included.

    1.5 hours

15. Stop 15

    The steakhouse made famous by Sideways, where Miles and Jack shared dinners and their love of Pinot Noir. It’s known for Santa Maria-style barbecue cooked over a red oak fire and pours its own Pinot Noir. A fitting, delicious finish to your road trip for film fans and food lovers alike. Booking ahead is a good idea, especially at weekends. Food at your own cost

    1.5 hours

Meeting point & pickup

Meet at the starting point

The trip begins at 490 Brannan St in San Francisco’s SoMa district, near Oracle Park Install the VoiceMap app before you arrive and enter the relative code.

Each of the four tours ( 4 codes) has its own starting point. Directions to each start are sent with your booking and shown in the app.

Cancellation & confirmation