Highway 1 at Regent's Slide in Big Sur reopened on January 14, 2026, reconnecting one of the world's most spectacular road trips. From Santa Barbara's palm-lined waterfront to Big Sur's dramatic cliffs, California's Pacific Coast Highway is whole again—and ready for your next adventure. Whether you're heading north from Southern California or making your way south from the Bay Area, Santa Barbara beckons as the quintessential gateway (or book end) to this iconic journey. Our Mediterranean-style coastal city offers the perfect place to get into that open road state of mind.

The Southern Gateway

Positioned where the coastline famously pivots east-west, Santa Barbara serves as the natural launching point for your Highway 1 adventure. The city itself deserves exploration—Spanish colonial architecture, world-class dining and a vibrant cultural scene. It's also perfectly situated for travelers ready to experience the full majesty of the Pacific Coast Highway. From Santa Barbara heading north, you'll trade urban sophistication for wine country charm, coastal villages and those awe-inspiring Big Sur vistas that define California dreaming.

Points North

Less than 45 minutes inland from Santa Barbara, the Santa Ynez Valley offers a compelling stop before you commit fully to the coastal route. This is California wine country with a distinctly relaxed character—where tasting rooms share main streets with Old West saloons and equestrian culture runs deep. Explore the Danish-inspired village of Solvang, saddle up for horseback riding through vineyard-studded hills or get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline course that soars over protea flower fields. The walkable small towns of Santa Ynez, Los Olivos and Los Alamos provide authentic charm and world-class wine before you continue north to rejoin the coast.

As Highway 1 winds through San Luis Obispo County, discover laid-back beach communities that feel like stepping back in time. Stop in Morro Bay to see the iconic volcanic Morro Rock, soak up Cayucos' vintage beach town vibes and browse Cambria's art galleries. Don't miss the elephant seal rookery in San Simeon or the opulent grandeur of Hearst Castle perched high above the Pacific.

Just past Ragged Point, Highway 1 transforms into something mythical. This is where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge directly into the Pacific, where every curve reveals another impossible view, where the road itself becomes the destination. The reopening at Regent's Slide means you can now experience this legendary stretch as it was meant to be traveled—continuously, dramatically, unforgettably. Drive across the graceful span of Bixby Bridge, one of the world's most photographed bridges. Hike among ancient redwoods at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Chase waterfalls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where McWay Falls drops 80 feet onto a pristine beach. Stop at Nepenthe for lunch or sunset cocktails.

Big Sur isn't a town but a state of mind, a 90-mile stretch where nature commands absolute reverence and the modern world feels wonderfully distant. Continue north to reach Carmel-by-the-Sea, a fairy-tale village with storybook cottages and white sand beaches that serves as Big Sur's bookend.

Driving South: Santa Barbara as Your Coastal Finale

For travelers beginning in the Bay Area or the Central Coast, Santa Barbara represents something equally compelling—the reward at journey's end. After the wild beauty of Big Sur and the small-town charm of San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara welcomes you with refined elegance, urban wineries, beaches, boutiques and bike trails. Whether you explore wine country before or after hitting the coast, Santa Barbara serves as the perfect place to decompress, celebrate and extend your Pacific Coast Highway adventure.

Where to Stay

Santa Barbara Hotel Collection offers four distinctive properties that cater to every type of road tripper traveler, from international visitors experiencing California for the first time to domestic guests who return year after year.

Brisas Del Mar Inn by the Beach, Inn by the Harbor and Lavender Inn By the Sea position you in the West Beach neighborhood with enviable proximity to the waterfront and the Funk Zone. Best Western Plus Santa Barbara place you downtown near the ARTS district and historic Mission Santa Barbara, ideal for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the city's cultural heart and architectural heritage.

Each property reflects Santa Barbara's relaxed refinement while providing the comfort and convenience that make either the beginning or the end of your Highway 1 journey that much more memorable. After days of winding coastal roads and dramatic scenery, there's something deeply satisfying about settling into a welcoming room where the hardest decision is whether to hit the beach, explore the trails or find inspiration in museums and historic landmarks.

The Pacific awaits, the highway is open and Santa Barbara Hotel Collection is ready to welcome you to your home away from!