Our second day exploring the Pacific Coast Highway began in Monterrey. The morning started off overcast, with a light fog rolling in off the ocean. As the morning wore on, the sun started to peek through here and there. We headed south along the PCH towards Carmel-by-the-Sea with Big Sur State Park as our destination of the day.

The traffic was fairly heavy as we departed Monterrey, but lightened up considerably after we passed the Carmel State Beach. By the time we passed Point Lobos, there were very few cars on the highway. 

We stopped several times as we headed south, admiring the views of the Pacific Ocean from the elevated bluffs. Some of the morning fog persisted, but it added to the grandeur of the views, and when the sun did break out it was breathtaking.

The ocean views weren’t the only attraction. Looking east, up the mountain ridge was equally as impressive. This section of the continent is simply mountains flowing into the sea. The highway was cut into the slope. 

We continued along, enjoying several uninterrupted miles of gorgeous scenery. Not long after passing the Point Sur Naval Facility the road headed away from the coast. Here it entered Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This is a large state park, comprising a large swath of land surrounding the Big Sur River watershed as it descends the mountains to join the sea.

We stopped at Big Sur Station to learn more about the area from the park staff. There’s a visitor center there, located amongst the redwood forest. As we expected, there are an incredible amount of things to see and explore there, so we had to be selective of the points of interest to visit during the limited time we had in the park.

You could easily spend a lifetime hiking, camping and exploring this park, and I’m sure many folks do.

We decided to continue southward towards McWay Falls, a popular attraction. Along the way we passed through the small village of Loma Vista, which featured some lodging, restaurants and a few retail shops you’d expect to find. Once we left the village the road returned to the coast, and nature’s floor show returned.

Once we reached McWay Falls, we parked the Jeep and paid the Iron Ranger a few bucks for the privilege. Then we walked the short distance down a trail and through a tunnel to view the falls. Which was pretty underwhelming, as water falls go. I think I’ve been spoiled by the ones we have in the mountains back in the Northeast.

While standing on the bluff watching the sea, we were treated to an unexpected sight. Offshore we spotted dorsal fins slicing through the water- a pod of dolphins! At least, that’s my best guess, as they were a good distance away. Here’s a short video:

Following the trail back to the parking lot, we reclaimed the Jeep and headed back down the PCH. The ride was a short one, though, as we came upon the section of road closed by a landslide. This was the same slide that necessitated the long detour to Monterrey the day before.

We reversed course, and headed back northbound. It was time for a late lunch, and then we’d retrace our route back to Monterrey, and then spend the remaining hours of the afternoon getting beyond San Jose and San Francisco before spending the night in Santa Rosa.

Here are a few more photos from the northbound return leg, including one of the Transcontinental Jeep posing by the Pacific Ocean. That ride has taken us to many places over the last four years.

The Big Sur section of the Pacific Coast Highway was extraordinary, and perhaps my favorite part of exploring that road. It reminded me somewhat of the Cabot Trail drive in Nova Scotia, but the scale was so much larger. Big Sur is a place worth visiting.

Coming Soon: The final day on the PCH. More beaches and some really large trees!