Road Trip from Santa Barbara to Big Sur

[Isobelsnowie]

The Pacific Coast Highway is a huge attraction in California. It is one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the country, in my opinion the most worth while part of the drive is from San Luis Obispo to San Fransisco. On my journey from Santa Barbara, we took the 101 to San Luis Obispo before getting on highway 1 because it's just as beautiful at that point with the rolling hills and and the vineyards and cuts off a little time from your trip. One stop along Highway 1 that are a must for any first timer is Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Hearst castle is a home/castle that is built on 127 acres. It was built between 1919 and 1947 for newspaper owner William Randall Hearst. It is such a huge estate that you can't see it all in one day. There are three tours to get to see the whole place. You can at least drive by and look at it up on the hilltop and maybe see a few of the zebra grazing in the fields below off of the road. Right past Hearst Castle don't miss the elephant seal sign and turn in to take a look. Throughout the year you will find elephant seals sunbathing on the beach and it is pretty cool to see them up close. You drive through other small seaside towns like Cambria before you get to Big Sur. The road starts to get really windy and right on the side of a cliff, it's really scary but very pretty. Big Sur is full of beautiful hiking trails, beaches and restaurants and campgrounds.