Pacific Coast

Cambria / Morro Bay

Big Sur all day. The drive is the point.

1 night Sun 23 Aug

Drive in

From Monterey · 95 mi · all day · Hwy 1 through Big Sur

Monterey → Cambria is only ~95 mi but give it the whole day — the road is slow and the stops are the point. Bixby Bridge early, Pfeiffer Beach, McWay Falls, Hearst Castle (book ahead), and elephant seals at Piedras Blancas.

What to do

Bixby Creek Bridge — early, before the haze
Pfeiffer Beach — hidden, purple-tinged sand
McWay Falls — 80-ft waterfall onto a cove, right by the road
Hearst Castle — opulent hilltop mansion (book the tour ahead)
Piedras Blancas — wild elephant-seal rookery just north of the castle

Tip: Before you set off, check Highway 1 is fully open — sections occasionally close for slides (Caltrans QuickMap).

Where to stay

Cambria (Moonstone Beach, close to Hearst) or Morro Bay (under its giant rock).

Booking.com 2 adults · 1 night

★ Top pick

Cambria, California

closest to Hearst Castle, Moonstone Beach

2026-08-23→2026-08-24

Search stays ↗

Also worth a look — on Booking.com

2 Morro Bay, California harbour town under the giant rock ↗

Airbnb Cambria · same dates ↗