Highway 1

Highway 1, the coastal route from San Francisco to LA, has a middle section perhaps 150-200 km long that is absolutely magical. The following photos tell much of the story and I'll say little about them, except to say that the route clings to the edge of the coastal range, which plunges into the Pacific leaving high cliffs separated by deep canyons. The road itself is very narrow and frequently perched on cliff-tops with massive falls below. It winds endlessly through this great scenery with occasional pull-offs / turnouts. Whilst we travelled along it we saw people frequently looking for bird-life (condors, eagles, buzzards), dolphins, seals and whales and we saw all of these at various stages. Alas, the coast is also spoiled by the homes of millionaires sometimes occupying vantage points along the road. No doubt they would no longer get planning permission these days, but the damage is done. The road is also susceptible to landslips some lasting for months at a time, and one prevented us from seeing the southern end of the coastal route and necessitated a 250km detour!!

Have a look at these pictures in awe ... as we were!

AS