This Stretch of a Famous U.S. Coastal Highway Just Reopened—and the Views Are as Epic as Ever

A bucket-list drive in California reopened this week following a devastating landslide, welcoming visitors back to the stunning views months earlier than expected.

The stretch of State Route 1 in California, which hugs the Pacific Ocean, reopened to the public on Wednesday, Visit SLO CAL, the destination marketing and management organization for San Luis Obispo County, shared with Travel + Leisure. The section of road, which has been affected by landslides since 2023, was initially expected to open in March.

“Highway 1 is an emotional experience for so many people, and its early reopening reconnects the full wonder of Ragged Point, San Simeon and Cambria with our neighbors to the north in Monterey,” Cathy Cartier, the president and CEO of Visit SLO CAL, said in a statement shared with T+L. “We are thrilled to welcome visitors to experience the magic of this coastal roadway from end-to-end.”

Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, stretches for more than 650 miles, according to Visit California. Along the way, travelers will find stunning Pacific Ocean views, sandy beaches, national historic landmarks, charming towns, vineyards, and redwood forests.

The closure marked the longest to date, according to Visit SLO CAL, and resulted in an estimated $438 million in lost visitor spending.

Following the opening, California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom called the corridor the “gateway to California’s coast and the lifeblood of the Big Sur economy” and said in a statement it would “bring much-needed relief to small businesses and families in Big Sur and the surrounding communities who have shown remarkable resilience and strength.”

However, the governor’s office said the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has identified 75 miles of the Big Sur coastline as one of the most active areas for landslides in the western United States. In total, there have been more than 1,500 mapped slides.

Rob O’Keefe, the president and CEO of See Monterey, said in a statement shared with T+L it is now “part of our collective role to protect and preserve this coastline by traveling safely and responsibly, with care for the land, the road and the communities that make it so special.”

There are plenty of destinations along the highway that make for an incredible road trip. Among the highlights is Moonstone Beach in Cambria, which is rich in tide pools and sea-otter sightings; Hearst Castle, where travelers can take a guided tour; and Pebble Beach, which is dotted with some of the most scenic golf courses in the world.