Highway 1: San Francisco to Big Sur

Two or three days down the coast. Drive south so the ocean is on your side. Check Caltrans for closures first — slides happen.

1. Artichoke bread in Pescadero

   Arcangeli Grocery. Buy two loaves.

   Maya did it 17 Apr

   Arcangeli Grocery
2. Pigeon Point Lighthouse

   One of the tallest on the West Coast. There's a hostel next door.

3. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

   The Giant Dipper has been running since 1924.

   Maya did it 17 Apr

4. Monterey Bay Aquarium

   The otter feeding and the jellies. Half a day, minimum.

   Maya did it 18 Apr

   Monterey Bay Aquarium
5. 17-Mile Drive to the Lone Cypress

   A toll road through Pebble Beach. Worth it once.

6. Point Lobos

   The best three miles of the coast. Parking fills by ten.

7. Bixby Creek Bridge

   Pull out on the north side. The fog may or may not cooperate.

   Maya did it 18 Apr

   Bixby Creek Bridge
8. McWay Falls

   A waterfall onto a beach, ten minutes' walk from the road.

   Maya did it 19 Apr

   McWay Falls
9. Pfeiffer Beach

   Purple sand and the Keyhole Arch. The road down is narrow; go slow.

10. Lunch at Nepenthe

    The terrace over the ocean. Guard your fries from the jays.

    Maya did it 18 Apr