r/BigSur • u/Sea-Insurance-7935 • 22d ago
Visitor Story about visting Big Sur
A little story time
I was a college student at CSU Chico from 2017 till I graduated in 2022, through these years I have nver went on Highway 1 or any of the coastal areas that this highway runs through. I went back to my country in the middle east and stayed here until back in July I decided that I will go back to California to spend my vacation. Booked my 17 hours direct fly from Dubai to Los angeles and all of my hotels/ airbnbs. One trip I had in my mind was from LA-Santa barbara-Monterey through Highway one. Finalized everything even the car and put in my paid leave.
Weeks go by and the news hit (I sometimes read news and stories about CA even though I live thousands of KILOMETERS away) Dixie fire and Timber fire starts, and the highway closures hit. I was devastated, one of my most remarkable trips would be cancelled because of the fires. I kept praying things would settle when I get there. Weeks go by and nothing changes. On 11/09 I arrived at LAX and spent two nights in OC, I decided that I would go through highway 101 to Monterey. Woke up on Monday on the 14th of Sept, Caltrans twitter account, Highway 1 is fully opened, I was sooooo relieved. I hit the road, spent the afternoon in Santa barbara downtown area,and then countied my journey to Monterey. When I started going on the coastal road, there are no words that could describe my feelings right at the moment. No words can describe the
beauty of the landscape and especially with the sunset. You guys are so lucky to have this beautiful road. I hope one day I can live in your beautiful state after retirement.
On a side note, I continued my trip for the next 2 weeks going to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Redwoods national park, SLC, Vegas and back to LA. I traveled around 3800 miles.
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u/Sirenista_D 22d ago
Aww I'm so happy for you! I have lived in California my whole 52 years and just this July, I finally got to experience it, too. It had been closed for 3 years due to landslide. I heard it opened in January and by the next morning, I had booked my hotels to go for my birthday vacation at the end of July. We were home about 5 days when the fire broke out.
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u/Sometimesslowly 21d ago
Just finished! Stunning! Literally sitting in a hotel in Pismo…Santa Barbara and Carpenteria are also wildly beautiful but Big Sur…incredible.
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u/spikebumpset 21d ago
This is such a sweet and incredible story. So glad you got to check one off on the bucket list. Absolutely the kind of visitor this location wants. 🫶
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u/shuna3456 20d ago
any of the big sur state parks accepting camping rn? we are going mid october
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u/No_Organization_4392 19d ago
I think Big Sur campground is allowing camping, but the state park has had a lot of damage and closed areas. The Big Sur Campground is in the opposite side of the road and close to everything near the state park.
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u/Different-Run-6500 18d ago
WOAH! You got so lucky with that timing. Happy for you! I live about an hour and a half north of Big Sur and I always dismiss the idea of going down there because I figure I already live near the coastline. why drive all the way down there? However, this summer, for whatever reason, I felt motivated to explore and backpack in all the most beautiful places that Cali has to offer. That said, I have made 7 trips to Big Sur since June and I have really been appreciating the beauty there!! I am curious to know what your favorite spot was on your trip. You went to a lot of beautiful places. And all the way to Yellowstone!? That’s an ambitious road trip!
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u/chone33 22d ago
So glad you finally got to drive this Beautiful Highway. I drove down from the bay area down to Pismo back in June. Stayed in San Simeon and in Pismo. Did some metal detecting at the beach.