25 TOP EXPERIENCES, LONELY PLANET CALIFORNIA:
#1 ~ Pacific Coast Highway
Bixby Creek Bridge
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NORTH of Palo Colorado Road on Highway 1:
PARKS & BEACHES:
Carmel-by-the-Sea ~ 11 miles north on Highway 1
Monterey Bay Aquarium ~ 17.5 miles north
RESTAURANTS:
Rocky Point ~ 1/4 mile north of Palo Colorado Road
Rio Grill ~ Crossroads in Carmel right on Rio Road
HIKING:
Garrapata State Park
Rocky Ridge Trail
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SOUTH of Palo Colorado Road on Highway 1:
Old Coast Road~ Before Bixby Creek Bridge was opened in 1932, the Old Coast Road was the stagecoach road to Big Sur Valley. [ Warning: Not passable in wet weather.
Point Sur Historic Lighthouse and Park
Andrew Molera State Park ~ 10.5 miles
Hearst Castle ~ 77.7 miles
RESTAURANTS:
Big Sur Deli ~ best picnic sandwiches
Big Sur Bakery ~ organic, make reservations
Post Ranch
Ventana Inn
Deetjens ~ excellent breakfast & dinner
HIKING:
Brazil Ranch Trail~ Climb to 1400 feet above Hurricane Point to view the Point Sur Lighthouse, Little Sur River Mouth and as far north as Santa Cruz.
Brazil Ranch Trail with view of Point Sur Lighthouse