Where the mountains meet the ocean, the Big Sur Highway shows off the Pacific Ocean, rugged canyons, steep sea cliffs, waves crashing over rocks, mountains, forests, wildflowers, and spectacular views. California's Big Sur is a name derived from a Spanish designation of an unexplored wilderness area along the coast south of Monterey, which they called El Sur Grande (The Big South). The official Big Sur Scenic Highway follows Highway 1 along a section of pristine coast from north of San Simeon to Point Lobos at Carmel. This TravelHERO destination includes additional scenic mileage, tracing the Pacific Coast Highway One from Morro Bay to Carmel. The scenery can became overwhelming, stay alert to the road, oncoming vehicles, and pedestrians - there are scenic overlooks along the way. And start with plenty of gas - not many stations along the way. Big Sur lodging reservations provided here by TravelHERO.com.