San Francisco to So Cal - Pacific Coast route
 

Leaving soon for my first time on this stretch of the route, will be mostly camping --- looking for some ideas of must see spots along the way and some great food.
Suggestions? thanks

Did it in 1985, (Pre universal internet) but much has changed .. I suggest reading California History books..
(I Grew Up There, so had to.. )
Ano Nuevo Beach is an Elephant Seal Rookery & Cal state park https://www.parks.ca.gov/


https://dot.ca.gov/travel

https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/l...cenic-highways

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver...s-pedestrians/



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I wrote a guide to riding from SF to LA. You might find some useful information there.

It would also help to know what things you find interesting? Missions? Museums? Burrito Places?

Thank you, museums, burritos for sure!

Monterey aquarium if it’s open. Unfortunately the aquarium and most museums will likely be closed. Fortunately most of the must see spots are part of nature.

Touring the coast
 

Think that I did this the wrong way.
In July 1985, I hitchhiked (basically) from San Francisco to San Diego and then toured back. 1st self sufficient tour!

There is a book that is very detailed called Bicycling the Pacific Coast Highway.



A lot of stuff is going to be closed.

Cycling the Pacific Coast is a great book, newer (2017) than even the revised edition of the classic Bicycling the Pacific Coast.

https://www.maps.com/products/cyclin...RoCJ24QAvD_BwE

Spend the night at Kirk Creek Campground if it's open. It's the only campground in the Big Sur area which is on the ocean side of the highway. It does have a hiker-biker section, but you must bring your own water. Be aware that most of the Big Sur section has no mobile service. Spectacular sunsets!
Have fun!

You'll pass Moss Landing halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey - ride out to the sea wall north and west of the harbor, there's usually a pod of sea otters there and in my experience that's the closest you can get to them anywhere (without a boat anyway). Then grab a meal of fresh seafood at Phil's Fish Market & Eatery.

It's no secret spot, but I'd make sure to follow the 17 Mile Drive from Monterey to Carmel.

Not sure how COVID has affected this, but recently the hiker/biker sites from Santa Cruz through Big Sur were partially homeless encampments. Monterey's Veterans Park was particularly dense (seems to be open, and it's probably impossible to camp legally anywhere else near Monterey. Hope you have a granny gear to get to it). Not necessarily a good or bad thing, just something to be aware of. A lot of coastal H/B sites are just you and the trees and the sea breeze - not these.

Hwy 1 through Big Sur has some narrow spots with not much in the way of bike lane or shoulder - I highly recommend a good mirror, situational awareness, bright flashing rear light, and extra caution around rented RVs whose drivers are still learning how wide they are (evergreen advice).

I did Monterey to Santa Barbara year before last. I second staying at Kirk Creek - nice place. Thee are three state campgrounds almost to Santa Barbara - Refugio is the nicest. looks like McGrath just South of Ventrua is closed. If it's open, don't stay there unless absolutely necessary. It is run down. The campground host stated that he had his bike stolen there. Big Sur, Morrow Bay and San Luis Obispo are all worth spending some time in. Hearst Castle is closed right now I hear.

Are hiker-biker sites open?

Yea bikes get stolen in campgrounds ... lock them up to the picnic tables or trees etc ..

Don’t be in a hurry. I did it a few times in the 70’s and 80’s when I was young and had a tendency to hammer. Mornings can be damp and cool. You won’t have much shoulder so be visible and go in a predictable straight line.

It's Fire Season Now..