Old Coast Road (Big Sur)

This article is about the pioneer road in pre-1920 Big Sur. For the modern highway, see Big Sur Coast Highway. For the Old Coast Road in Australia, see Forrest Highway.
The remaining 10.2 miles (16.4 km) portion of the original Old Coast Road. It connects on the north to Highway 1 at Bixby Creek Bridge and on the south near Andrew Molera State Park.

The Old Coast Road is a dirt road that still exists in part and preceded the current Big Sur Coast Highway along the northern coast of Big Sur, California. It was initially a trail created by Rumsen and Esselen Native Americans to travel along the coast in present-day Monterey County, California. Soon after the Spanish arrived, Governor Teodoro Gonzalez granted land that included portions of the trail as Rancho San Jose y Sur Chiquito to Marcelino Escobar in 1835. Governor Juan Alvarado re-granted the land to Escobar the same year. The Rancho included land from Carmel to near Palo Colorado Canyon. José Castro gained possession of the land in about 1848. He improved the trail from Monterey to Palo Colorado Canyon as early as 1853. A hand-drawn map created c. 1853 accompanying the grant indicated a road or trail was already present along the coast.[1][2][3][4]

Monterey County first declared it a public road in 1855. In 1886 Charles Bixby improved the road between his ranch and Monterey, and William Post extended it further south to his ranch. The condition of the road limited the shipment of goods. Steamers used a dozen dog-hole ports along the Big Sur coast like those at Notley's Landing, Cape San Martin Landing, and the mouth of the Big Sur River to pick up lime, tanbark, and other materials, and to transport heavy goods and supplies to residents.[5] In 1920, the 26 mi (42 km) trip from Carmel in a light spring wagon pulled by two horses could be completed in about 11 hours. A lumber wagon pulled by four horses could make the trip in 13 hours. The road was impassable for most of each winter. Dr. John L. Roberts first proposed converting the wagon road into a highway in 1915.[6] Opening the coast to visitors for recreational use in the early 1900s increased interest in improving access to the region. Construction of a paved highway was begun in 1921. Funding ran out and construction was restarted in 1928. Road construction necessitated construction of 29 bridges, the most difficult of which was the 714 feet (218 m) long and 260 feet (79 m) high bridge over Bixby Creek, about 13 miles (21 km) south of Carmel. The paved highway was opened in 1937.

A 10.2 miles (16.4 km) portion of the original Old Coast Road still exists. It is accessible to high-clearance vehicles from Highway 1 immediately north of the Bixby Creek Bridge. The road enters the El Sur Ranch for 6.5 miles (10.5 km) and descends sharply into the Little Sur River canyon. It crosses the river twice at the junction of its North and South forks, formerly the location of the Idlewild Resort from about 1900 to 1921. After another 2.8 miles (4.5 km), the road enters a coastal redwood forest. There is a pullout after about 3.2 miles (5.1 km). After another .6 miles (0.97 km), the road leaves the El Sur Ranch and climbs out of the canyon before descending steeply, rounding a number of blind curves and descending towards Andrew Molera State Park where it rejoins Highway 1.[7]

  1. ^ "Diseño del Rancho San José y Sur Chiquito: Calif". Calisphere.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rancho San Jose y Sur Chiquito
  3. ^ "Diseño map of Rancho San Jose Y Sur Chiquito" (GLO No. 552 ed.). Monterey County, California. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference caltrans was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "History of Big Sur California". www.bigsurcalifornia.org. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  6. ^ "The Building of Highway One". Historical Moments. Cambria Historical Society. Archived from the original on 23 January 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference justruns was invoked but never defined (see the help page).