Route 1 – San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway (original) (raw)
Route 1 – San Luis Obispo North Coast BywayBy Ways2021-08-24T13:57:09-04:00
Route 1 – San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway
State: California
Length: 57 miles / 91.2 km
Time to Allow: Two hours, but plan for more to really enjoy the Byway.
The San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway Route 1 takes off in Ragged Point, winding south along the coast for 57 miles to San Luis Obispo. It’s home to harbors, bays, and incredible seascapes. The byway intersects with the Big Sur Coast Highway in parts before venturing off on its own along the central coastline of California. Take an hour or two to soak in the views or a few days to enjoy the sites properly.
Starting in Ragged Point, the road borders the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The town is close to Hearst Castle, which is open to the public for tours, but often closed for long stretches of time and requires an appointment. Have lunch at the Ragged Point Restaurant at the Inn with impressive views and luxury. Find tons of trails in the area to explore the water and local scenery.
Follow the water down to San Simeon and visit the Coastal Discovery Center or rent a kayak to enjoy the water. Take lunch at Sebastian’s Cafe by Hearst Memorial Beach for some favorites like burgers. Stop at Piedras Blancas Rookery to view elephant seals dozing on the sand and rock. Before leaving, visit the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse for a small fee for spectacular views and a trail.
Cambria and Cayucos are close by with a small-town feel and beautiful trees. Walk Moonstone Beach boardwalk in Cambria to trail the water. Eat dinner at the Sea Chest for delicious sea fare. Stop at Leffingwell landing for a day at the beach. Stop in town for wine tasting and unique shopping options. Cayucos offers antiques and eclectic shops ready to bring a smile to your face. Before heading to the beach and the original pier built-in 1872 along with Moro Rock.
The White Rock State Marine Conservation Area protects marine life on the way to the town of Harmony, the capital of local dairy. Stop at the Harmony Valley Creamery for a scoop of ice cream as you walk along town for a look at the glasswork shop and pottery studio before driving on to bigger adventures like the Harmony Headlands State Park.
Morro Bay ends the water part of the byway with a chain of nine volcanic peaks and a five-mile-long spit of sand. The area combines marshes, estuaries, coves, and more for a unique ecosystem. While you cannot climb Morrow Rock, it’s a fun place to view with peregrine falcons speeding past. The rock borders the water leading to lush landscape and blue waters. Find sandy beaches with rocks before heading into town for antiques, vintage shops, and excellent food.
The byway ends in San Luis Obispo, where the name of the byway originates. First, stop at the Mission San Luis Obispo for authentic local architecture dating back to the 1700s. On Thursdays, you can visit the nighttime farmers market to avoid the bright hot sun on Higuera Street. Next, relax at Pismo beach and Monarch Butterfly Grove for streams of butterflies lining eucalyptus trees. Take some time to explore all the town has to offer with a couple of days set aside at the Madonna Inn with tons of amenities and unique architecture.
More California Byways
You can check out additional Byways in California by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the California Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.