California Hwy 1 drive is just beautiful, with beautiful Seascapes, Beaches, Bridges. I recently did a Photo Drive from Santa Cruz, CA to Pfieffer Beach, stopping at key vista points on the way to capture picture. Drive was around 80 Miles long, non stop drive will take around 1Hr 40 Mins. However I did several stops during this drive.
Starting with
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Capitola Beach & Pier
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Moss Landing Beach
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Monterey Wharf
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Carmel Beach
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China Lookout
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Bixby Bridge
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Bigsur River Inn
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Pfieffer Beach.
Unfortunately Pfieffer Beach was closed due to recent fires in Northern California.
Here is the map of the Route.
Here is the picture of Venetian Hotel on Capitola Beach. Rooms are painted with different colors.
Here is the Capitola Pier. There is a restaurant at the end of pier.
Another picture near Capitola Beach.
Next stop was Moss Landing Beach. There is Elkhorn Slough next to Moss Landing beaching. You can take a Safari in the boat to watch Seals, Otters Sea Lions, birds etc.
Checkout my post on Elkhorn Slough Safari here:
Next stop was Monterey Bay and Wharf. Here is a picture of Monterey Bay
Here is a picture of famous Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey.
Next Stop Carmel Beach, where you can enjoy Beautiful White Sand Beach.
“Carmel’s unique white sand comes from offshore rocks called Santa Lucia Granodiorite. Ocean waves pound these rocks into fine sand granules that wash onto the beach. The power of the waves changes with the season, alternately removing and replacing the sand”
After Carmel You will come across several vista points on Hwy to enjoy beautiful seascape and bridges.
Picture at one of the vista point.
Here is famous Historic Bixby Bridge. “This is most photographed bridges in California due to its aesthetic design, “graceful architecture and magnificent setting”. It is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch bridge”
View from the parking lot at Bixby bridge.
Here is a picture of River Inn in Bigsur. Here there are several wooden chairs right in the middle of the river, where you sit and enjoy the nature.
Finally, Pfieffer beach. This picture is from my previous trip, since the beach was closed due to near by fire.
Pfieffer beach is a very interesting place to visit in January and February. During sun set, sun rays come through the hole in this big rock. This is a very popular event, many photogs and locals visit to watch and capture this phenomenon.
