Big Sur

Pacific Coast Highway tracks along the west coast of the United States , in fact it’s just half a mile up the road from our place . If you were to drive along it where we live you’d hardly be impressed , it’s just another busy highway squeezing through the heavy development that is LA . We are in Monterey , closer to 8 hours north in a beautiful old fishing town that is more of a tourist destination these days . It’s here that we head south on the Pacific Coast hwy , drifting by the iconic Pebble Beach golf course . We don’t have time to detour and drive around it , but what is noticeable is that this little knob of land isn’t large , it’s very green , densely treed and private . You would have no idea that a world class golf course that hosts major tournaments could actually happen down there .

Big Sur , this is what Tim really wants to show us and we are thankful that he does . Starting at the beautiful town of Carmel and ending some 70 miles south near San Simeon is an epic upscale coastline of large cliffs , waterfalls , rocky coves and amazing bridges that are a photographers dream . It’s not just the rugged coastline that is appealing here , it’s also the small hamlets tucked into heavily wooded low spots . It’s in these little towns you’d swear you’re in the Dandenongs , or the Blue Mountains or in Yosemite . These cool little spots with colourful timber buildings , accomodation in log cabins , arts and crafts for sale in quaint little stores and cafes offering tasty treats home made and baked on the premises offer a complete escape from the real world . When it comes down to it’s the coast that really is captivating . This stretch has a direct comparison to The Great Ocean Road ( West Coast of Melbourne , Aus ) . I’ve heard them compared against each other in the past but my obvious bias to my hometown would always dismiss the Pacific Coast in Northern California , now that I’ve done both I’m not so sure . I must admit I came away thinking the Californian version was prettier , although I had forgotten The Twelve Apostles and it’s raw beauty . In the end I can’t split them and I feel lucky to travel two of the great coastal roads in the world , especially when you go with Aussie mates and have a common experience .