Californian insider info - When is Hwy1 likely to fully reopen?
April 24, 2024 8:31 AM Subscribe
We're planning a very exciting family trip from the UK to the US Pacific Coast in July-August this year. On the agenda is to drive down the PCH/Highway 1 from SF to LA stopping off in Big Sur and San Luis Obispo. But Hwy 1 is currently closed - is it safe to book accommodation now on the presumption it will reopen by August 2024?
As of now the info I find online here and here suggests that sadly key sections of the Highway are closed for repair or only partially open for essential traffic. The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce website (first link) suggests that the work will be completed by May 27th 2024.
My question is - for those familiar with Caltrans and local government in the area (and bearing in mind that I'm in the UK where these days it's hard to trust that things get fixed - how likely is the coast route through Big Sur actually likely to be open by early August? If it's likely to be fixed, I can book our accommodations, if it's too early to tell, should I hold off for now?
As of now the info I find online here and here suggests that sadly key sections of the Highway are closed for repair or only partially open for essential traffic. The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce website (first link) suggests that the work will be completed by May 27th 2024.
My question is - for those familiar with Caltrans and local government in the area (and bearing in mind that I'm in the UK where these days it's hard to trust that things get fixed - how likely is the coast route through Big Sur actually likely to be open by early August? If it's likely to be fixed, I can book our accommodations, if it's too early to tell, should I hold off for now?
Best answer: I live in California but not Monterey county. I think the stabilization work will probably finish on or close to schedule, depending on the weather. However note, when they say work will be done by May 27 they are just talking about the stabilization work to the remaining lane. So they will end the convoys and allow signaled, alternating one way traffic through that zone. Highway 1 can already become slow and congested, with one way traffic it will not be a breezy cruise down a coastal highway. I do not think construction in that area will be totally completed by August.
posted by muddgirl at 8:46 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 8:46 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]
(Portions of the PCH literally fall off into the ocean once a decade or so, it will definitely reopen.)
posted by muddgirl at 8:47 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 8:47 AM on April 24 [2 favorites]
Best answer:
Given all this, I would not expect to be able to do the classic PCH SLO -> Monterey route as a straight shot in August. My wife and I have accommodations booked in late June in Big Sur. If we can't access them, we'll cancel. We'll be driving up from Socal to Monterey and then back down. I'd recommend that you book accommodations in Big Sur, as well as alternate accommodations, now. Most hotels have easy cancelation policies and it's to your benefit to book now, before things are booked up, and cancel within the cancelation window.
posted by kdar at 8:51 AM on April 24 [4 favorites]
They will probably never reopen.This is pure speculation and is directly contradicted by Caltrans' plans, as reported in the SF Chronicle, the San Luis Obispo Tribune, the LA Times, and the San Jose Mercury News. These sources are saying that the initial stabilization on the northern closure will be completed by Memorial Day, but that still only leaves the northern route open; there are further closures in the southern portion of Big Sur with estimated completions in the fall.
Given all this, I would not expect to be able to do the classic PCH SLO -> Monterey route as a straight shot in August. My wife and I have accommodations booked in late June in Big Sur. If we can't access them, we'll cancel. We'll be driving up from Socal to Monterey and then back down. I'd recommend that you book accommodations in Big Sur, as well as alternate accommodations, now. Most hotels have easy cancelation policies and it's to your benefit to book now, before things are booked up, and cancel within the cancelation window.
posted by kdar at 8:51 AM on April 24 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Local newspapers (more trustworthy than the chamber of commerce who would be prone to wishful thinking!) are reporting Fall 2024.
I think a compromise plan would be to drive from SF to Monterey on Highway 1 (booking a hotel there), then cut inland on 101 until San Luis Obispo. If PCH is open after all, then no worries, but I would hesitate on assuming that Big Sur will be fully accessible and as muddgirl notes, even if the highway is open, traffic is likely to be terrible.
posted by spamandkimchi at 8:52 AM on April 24 [7 favorites]
I think a compromise plan would be to drive from SF to Monterey on Highway 1 (booking a hotel there), then cut inland on 101 until San Luis Obispo. If PCH is open after all, then no worries, but I would hesitate on assuming that Big Sur will be fully accessible and as muddgirl notes, even if the highway is open, traffic is likely to be terrible.
posted by spamandkimchi at 8:52 AM on April 24 [7 favorites]
Best answer: I think a compromise plan would be to drive from SF to Monterey on Highway 1 (booking a hotel there), then cut inland on 101 until San Luis Obispo.
Drive just a bit further to Carmel-by-the-Sea, and take a slow meander through Carmel Valley on Carmel Valley road (or stay somewhere) to catch 101 in King City. It's not the dramatic coast, but it is wine country (if that's interesting) and rolling oak woodlands. There's good food and hikes around Carmel Valley.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:19 AM on April 24 [6 favorites]
Drive just a bit further to Carmel-by-the-Sea, and take a slow meander through Carmel Valley on Carmel Valley road (or stay somewhere) to catch 101 in King City. It's not the dramatic coast, but it is wine country (if that's interesting) and rolling oak woodlands. There's good food and hikes around Carmel Valley.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:19 AM on April 24 [6 favorites]
Best answer: I live close to PCH, though south of this area (but certainly affected by the loss of the route north).
Locals don't expect it to open until June at the earliest, as we keep having storms that create other washout situations. I would not count on it. There are opportunities to drive excellent parts of PCH on the north end from a base in Monterey or Carmel. Then zag out to the 101 and take that to the 46 west at Paso Robles, another charming wine country area of California. Follow 46 all the way to PCH near Cambria ... an excellent spot close to Hearst Castle. Or head south on PCH, through Morro Bay (stop and see some otters there) and then head to San Luis Obispo.
I'm a docent at the state park, and have been talking to many of our European and UK visitors about the adjustments they've been making to their itineraries since the PCH shut down last year.
That diversion adds time & miles, but is far more compelling for stopping for a hike or a meal than just the 101 route. (Doing the whole Big Sur from Monterey to San Luis Obispo on PCH actually takes longer than the 101.) There are excellent hotel options in Paso Robles, Cambria, Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo.
We've had an exceptional amount of rain for the past two years, so we expect the verdant hills to still be around in July though fading to its lovely gold by August.
posted by typetive at 11:33 AM on April 24 [13 favorites]
Locals don't expect it to open until June at the earliest, as we keep having storms that create other washout situations. I would not count on it. There are opportunities to drive excellent parts of PCH on the north end from a base in Monterey or Carmel. Then zag out to the 101 and take that to the 46 west at Paso Robles, another charming wine country area of California. Follow 46 all the way to PCH near Cambria ... an excellent spot close to Hearst Castle. Or head south on PCH, through Morro Bay (stop and see some otters there) and then head to San Luis Obispo.
I'm a docent at the state park, and have been talking to many of our European and UK visitors about the adjustments they've been making to their itineraries since the PCH shut down last year.
That diversion adds time & miles, but is far more compelling for stopping for a hike or a meal than just the 101 route. (Doing the whole Big Sur from Monterey to San Luis Obispo on PCH actually takes longer than the 101.) There are excellent hotel options in Paso Robles, Cambria, Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo.
We've had an exceptional amount of rain for the past two years, so we expect the verdant hills to still be around in July though fading to its lovely gold by August.
posted by typetive at 11:33 AM on April 24 [13 favorites]
Paso Roblan here, and came to recommend itinerary similar to what typetive suggests. Point Lobos is really spectacular so I would try to get down to Carmel before you cut west to 101. Lots to explore around Cambria/San Simeon and if you head south from there on the PCH you can stop south of Morro Bay to check out Montaña de Oro State Park on your way to San Luis Obispo.
As far as reservations go, just watch the fine print. Not sure what it's like in other places but when I look at hotel rooms there's often a refundable and a cheaper non refundable price, you want to make sure you get the refundable one but sometimes the other is really more prominent in the display. And keep an eye on the cancellation window, looks like at the Big Sur Lodge for example you need to cancel 1 week out.
posted by snowymorninblues at 1:38 PM on April 24
As far as reservations go, just watch the fine print. Not sure what it's like in other places but when I look at hotel rooms there's often a refundable and a cheaper non refundable price, you want to make sure you get the refundable one but sometimes the other is really more prominent in the display. And keep an eye on the cancellation window, looks like at the Big Sur Lodge for example you need to cancel 1 week out.
posted by snowymorninblues at 1:38 PM on April 24
Response by poster: Coming back to you to ask for accommodation recommendations; in our original plan we were hoping to stay either at Deetjens Big Sur Inn or in a lodge at Big Sur Campground but both are beyond the closed section of road. Currently googling for accommodation around Carmel / Monterey is showing up more motel/hotel kind of places in the city/on the edges of the city - do you know of anywhere a bit more rustic and out of town in that area?
posted by melisande at 2:26 PM on April 24
posted by melisande at 2:26 PM on April 24
Best answer: If you go all the way down Highway 1 to Carmel (which I recommend, Point Lobos State Reserve is wonderful) then head inland along Carmel Valley Road, hitting 101 at Greenfield you could stay at The Camp at Carmel Valley which has glamping tents, cabins and a few small houses for accommodation.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 2:42 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]
posted by ActingTheGoat at 2:42 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]
Many years ago we enjoyed staying in a yurt at Treebones -- they have a variety of accommodations from camp sites to a tiny house. I believe it's south of the closed section.
posted by sriracha at 4:01 PM on April 24
posted by sriracha at 4:01 PM on April 24
If you're a fan of pinnipeds and end up cutting back over to the PCH in Cambria, I suggest the elephant seals in Piedras Blancas, about 15 miles north of Cambria. There's interpretive signage and volunteers to answer questions, even! The coastline there is also quite scenic - not the high cliffs you get around Big Sur, but still very beautiful.
posted by scottcal at 9:20 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]
posted by scottcal at 9:20 PM on April 24 [1 favorite]
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