Coast Road in Big Sur Condition?

Anyone venture out to Coast Road recently?

Never been, and I heard it's impassable after a storm/etc.

Looking to drive through this Thursday.

 

Road should be fine. As long as the rain stays away.

 

I don't know if the coast rd is open or not, but I've driven it when it has been open and it's a nice drive. Not sure where you are in Monterey county, but I think a better road/drive would be Nacimiento-Ferguson rd from Hwy 1, over the coast range and down into Ft Hunter Ligget. From there you can jump on Hwy 1 N and head back up the valley.

ETA - it's paved all the way, so if you're looking for off road then the road may disappoint, however there are many dirt roads that peel off so you could check those out. If you have Google Earth you can use Street View and see some of the road.

 

I did it in Sept. of last year, I was disappointed with how short it was but it was a really scenic drive especially the last mile or so.

Didn't need 4wd at all but it was dry, I could see it being pretty muddy and a little sketchy for the first half of it if it's been raining.

 

There's a small drizzle here in Salinas, and apparently it's the same in Big Sur. Don't know for sure though, just going off of google.

Looking for a scenic drive with spots to park for a picnic and picture taking. I've lived out here for the past 9 years and have done tons of drives except Coast Rd.

I've read everywhere that if it rains, it's impassable.

I looked online at CA.GOV and other sites and one had listed an indefinite closure as of January; no other sites confirm this so I was hoping someone has driven it this year.

 

Nothing appears; I don't have facebook.

 

Bummer. Pictures of someone’s weekend trip.

Looks open.

 

(Old) Coast Road should be open even with the little rain we got. I would not consider it impassible in rain, but the hill climb both coming in and going out could be challenging in sloppy conditions. Once you get to the top you are fine, and nothing else should stop you. That is, if you can make it past the first major climb it's cakewalk. I've done it in every kind of motorcycle, RWD truck, and I've seen Prius and similar cars do fine. In the rain, not sure...it is never "closed" regardless of condition as people live back there. (I have never seen it closed.)

If you want funner and/or more challenging roads head to Nac-Ferg as noted above. From Highway 1 you turn left, climb a paved road up into the mountains, and once you reach 'the top' it splits left and right. These are both dirt roads, and the one on the left is an out-and-back. It's been a while, but I think that's 7 miles each way, and it ends at a hiking trail. That takes you to the highest peak in the Los Padres N.F.

^ The road to the right can be combined with various other dirt roads that run parallel to Highway 1. It's been a while, so I don't have any recommendations other than map it...look for South Coast Ridge Road (or something with a similar name). There are a few turn offs along that road so bring a map and/or a GPS to avoid getting lost. I've been back there a number of times, and the last time (maybe two years ago) there are some fallen trees. We moved some, but we did not move all of them...turned around and played elsewhere.

Note: SCRR has a really nice viewpoint off of it where you can also camp. There are no sites, no services, nada...just you and the wilderness...and maybe 1-2-3 other people.

Another road in the area that is fun is off of Cachagua Road, and while I forget the name of the road (is it named?) it will take you to the Tassajara Zen Monastery (hot springs...ran by monks...Google it for more info.).

Last comment - I would fill up at the Rio Road Chevron because gas is $$$$ down in Big Sur, should you need it.

ALSO, there are some fun dirt roads off of Highway 25, south of Hollister. I forget the names of those, but if you do enough searching it shouldn't be hard to find. Old Gloria (?) rings a bell for some reason.


From Subaru days - Lots of fun mud pits and views along South Coast Ridge Road

 

Like I said about gas... https://www.kion546.com/news/sky-high-gas-prices-in-one-monterey-county-town/1076197025

 

How was it?

 

Put it off for another Thursday. Installed the front part of my suspension and took my fiancé shopping afterward.

Hell of a difference already, just wondering how I'll finish up the rears (leaf springs and shocks).

 

Get down there before the kids are out of school

 

Turns into a real party spot.

 

Yeah, not just that, but the whole fooking drive turns miserable because you have a bunch of looky-loos.

 

Good intel! I've been wanting to explore those roads for a while. Next time I'm down that way I'll have to check some out. Is the Tassajara hot springs road open to the public? I wasn't sure if it was a private road or not. Is there anything to do there once you get to the hotsprings if you aren't staying there?

 

I drove it last Saturday, six days ago, to bring my new Tacoma home from buying it in SD. It was all open, no issues. Drove it from SLO/Pismo all the way to Monterey.

 

It is open for some of the months out of the year, and if I am not too far off it's May-Oct or something. You have to be "in the cult" to get in...rather, you need to reserve in advance. It's a working buddhist thing, so I think you either have to pitch in and help during the wee hours of the morning or maybe you can just pay more to avoid the work. I forget...never done it.

The road itself is open to the public. There are a number of hiking trails off the road, too, so you'll run into a few other cars/trucks so just be cautious. It's relatively wide throughout, but there are some dicier parts, too.

 

Have you made it down there yet? Perfect day, tomorrow, for it. We're taking the Prius down...needless to say, we will be staying on asphalt.

 

No I haven't; just got back from Arroyo Secco but I'll be going next week. Wanted to keep the distance short since my LCA bushings are shot and I'm replacing them tomorrow. Falken Wildpeaks are going on tomorrow as well after I'm done!

Take some pics tomorrow!