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POINT OF INTEREST

Bixby Bridge

Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California

Constructed in 1932, Bixby Bridge is among Big Sur's most recognizable sights. This massive concrete bridge is one of the tallest such bridges on the planet, towering at 260 feet (79 meters) over a massive canyon that slices across mainland California and into the Pacific Ocean.

If you’re coming from the north, consider stopping at the Castle Rock viewpoint along the way to get photos of Bixby Bridge before continuing your drive. Tours from San Francisco and Monterey will take you down this iconic stretch of coastline, and are ideal if you want to take in the scenery without having to worry about renting a car—or keeping your eyes on the road.

  • Weather events have closed the bridge to vehicular traffic in the past. Check the California Department of Transportation for updates before setting out.

  • Bixby Bridge is a must-see for photographers, and it’s worth pulling over to get a shot. Just do so carefully.

  • Cyclists use the bridge. As tempting as it can be to want to take in the view, please keep your eyes on the road—for your safety and theirs.

Bixby Bridge is located on Highway 1, about a 30-minute drive south of Monterey. The best way to experience the bridge, and the rest of the Big Sur coastline, is by joining a tour and leaving the driving to someone else. Another option is to take the Monterey Salinas Transit bus line 22 down the coast; just note that the bus only runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

The best time to visit Big Sur is in July and August, when the weather is at its warmest and clearest. However, this is also the busiest time on the California coast, so expect crowds and traffic. If you come in September, you’re likely to still have pleasant weather—with fewer fellow visitors.

Big Sur has been known as a hub for counterculture thinkers since Henry Miller moved here in the 1940s. Miller’s memoir, Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch, put the area on the map among influential members of the Beat generation. Things ballooned in the 1960s, especially with the establishment of the still-standing Esalen Institute, which has drawn famous thinkers such as philosopher Alan Watts and psychologist Abraham Maslow (of “Maslow's hierarchy of needs” fame).

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