In this video, we take you along on one of the most iconic drives in the world—California Highway 1 up into Big Sur. We start our day in San Simeon at the Elephant Seal Visitor Center (seriously, it’s so cute), where we check out the exhibits, sign the guest book, and even peek at the live cam so you know what to expect before you hit the beach. From there, we head toward Hearst Castle and share what you can still do even if you don’t take the tour (because you can’t film inside). We also got lucky and spotted tule elk right off the highway—always a fun surprise on this stretch. Next, we stop at the Elephant Seal Rookery to see the fall haul out, when juveniles (about 1–5 years old) come ashore to rest. After that, we swing by the historic Piedras Blancas Light Station (tours can depend on access), and we also show you the massive Fresnel lens that was moved to Cambria after the 1948 earthquake. Then it’s brunch with a view at Ragged Point—eggs benedict, great coffee, and what we call the “portal to Big Sur,” where those windy hairpin turns and postcard ocean views really begin. We wrap up at Limekiln State Park, one of our favorite hidden gems tucked between redwoods and the ocean. We talk about the $10 self-pay parking (bring cash), the park’s lime kiln history, and what it’s like seeing burn scars from the Dolan Fire alongside all the new growth.