Some roads just keep getting better. Highway 1 through California’s Central Coast was just named one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2026, and this spring and summer, the road is ready to show you why. The full 100-mile corridor through San Luis Obispo County is open, including the raw stretch north of Ragged Point that winds toward Big Sur‘s dramatic cliffs.
Discover the coast’s freshest finds: new chefs preparing just-picked flavors. Beloved properties retooled and ready to welcome guests. A kayak paddle that ends with oysters pulled straight from the bay. An app that knows what to play when the cliffs fall away and the blue Pacific fills your windshield. A patchwork of community farmers’ markets, festivals and fireworks that inspires you to linger longer.
This page is your running guide to what’s new, what’s next and what’s worth the detour along Highway 1. We update it regularly so whether you’re deep in the planning stage or already on the road, you’ll always know what’s waiting around the bend.
After all, Highway 1 is the kind of road trip where an unexpected stop becomes your favorite story. The best adventures always leave room for something new.
New Places to Stay
Some lodging is simply a place to sleep. Others become part of the trip. These fresh stays invite you to wake up closer to the sea, soak a little longer and settle into the character of Highway 1.
Wake up to waves at a refreshed Avila Lighthouse Suites. The property’s 54 spacious two-room suites lie just steps from the sand, re-emerging as Avila Beach House by early July 2026 with a dynamic guest experience that matches the laid-back, sun-drenched character of Avila Beach itself.
With Hearst Castle and elephant seals, San Simeon is one of the most storied stretches of Highway 1. Now it has a new home base: this fall, the Hampton Inn San Simeon will complete renovations, offering complimentary hot breakfast, a heated outdoor pool, a fitness center and guest laundry. Hunker down here and bask in the best of the coast.
There are resorts you stay at. Then there are resorts that stay with you. Sycamore Mineral Springs is that kind of oasis, tucked into the coastal hillside just off Highway 1 where naturally flowing mineral waters meet nature-focused activities. This season, the beloved Secret Garden is in full bloom: a lush lawn, enhanced food offerings, live music three times a week and outdoor movie nights under the open sky, all steps from the resort’s two-acre Chef’s Garden.
Whether tucked among lush gardens, towering pines or quiet village streets steps from Moonstone Beach, Cambria Pines Lodge, Sea Otter Inn and J. Patrick House & Inn are the kind of cozy stays that turn first-time guests into locals-in-training. In fact, Cambria Pines Lodge and Sea Otter Inn both earned TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards recognition in 2025, placing them among the top 10% of hotels worldwide.
New Places to Eat & Drink
From a landmark new vineyard restaurant to the perfect post-beach burger, Highway 1’s food scene is having a moment.
Jeremy Fox built a following in Los Angeles. This summer, he’s bringing that magic to a vineyard in Edna Valley‘s coastal wine playground. The Restaurant at Edna opens this summer with Fox as partner and culinary director, joined by Matthew Schaler, former executive chef of Fox’s Birdie G’s. Expect a seasonal, ingredient-driven menu set against sun-drenched vineyard landscapes.
Cayucos and Morro Bay just got a new burger stop worth pulling over for. Mosey’s Burgers has landed in both towns, bringing quality ingredients and a laid-back atmosphere that fits Highway 1’s relaxed pace.
A lunch break between iconic stops in San Simeon calls for a glass of estate wine, a gourmet bite and a view of the bay that shimmers into the horizon. At Hearst Ranch Winery’s tasting room inside Sebastian’s General Store, a new Patio Experience invites groups of seven to twelve to a guided two-hour tasting of five current releases, including the 2025 Julia Rosé and 2023 Bunkhouse Cabernet Sauvignon. Pull up a chair on the coastal patio and raise a glass to one of the best seaside tasting spots on Highway 1.
New Adventures & Experiences
Pull over. Get out. This season’s best adventures and experiences on Highway 1 happen when you embrace where the coast takes you.
The best oyster you’ll ever eat is a kayak ride away. Central Coast Outdoors has launched a guided kayak tour that paddles through Morro Bay to Grassy Bar Oyster Company, where you’ll pull up to the farm and taste oysters harvested just moments before they reach your hands.
Nine stops, three additions and one very good reason to slow down and get your hands dirty. The FARMstead ED SLO County Farm Trail has expanded across the region, with new stops worth seeking out: 46 Ranch in Templeton for regenerative farming, Boccabella Farms in San Miguel for olive oil production and Cavalli Estates in Edna Valley for lavender cultivation. Roll up your sleeves and see where the region’s flavors begin.
You’ve seen the castle. This season, dine in grand style and swim in the iconic Neptune Pool. Beginning in May, Twilight on the Terrace brings curated cuisine, wine and live entertainment to Hearst Castle as the sun drops behind the hills. Plus, come summer, the Neptune Pool Swim returns for select dates, one of the rarest and most refreshing ways to spend an afternoon anywhere on Highway 1.
The Music Roadtrip app turns every mile of Highway 1 into a gateway to sonic discovery. This free, map-based app connects more than 100,000 concerts, festivals and live music events with venues, record stores and cultural landmarks along the way. Download it before you leave the driveway and cue up a whole new coastal soundtrack.
Big things are taking shape in the hills above Morro Bay. The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County has acquired 750 acres as the first phase of future Toro Creek Park, a planned 1,800-acre destination for hiking, mountain biking, camping and wide-open nature access. The trails aren’t open just yet, but this is one to keep on your Highway 1 radar.
New Shops & Arts
Some discoveries are too good not to take home. From thoughtfully curated boutiques to local galleries, these artful additions bring even more color to Highway 1.
Small town, big discoveries. The Cayucos Art Association and Gallery has opened a new space to browse and bring home work inspired by the light, landscapes and easygoing spirit of the Central Coast. Just steps from the Cayucos Pier, the historic Veterans Memorial Hall has been reimagined as Cayucos Landing, a refreshed event venue that pairs vintage charm with a polished new look. Check the calendar before you arrive. Something worth stopping for is likely on the horizon.
Cambria‘s storybook streets just got even more tempting to explore. Salty Pages has settled into the Garden Shed space with a thoughtfully curated mix of books, candles and jewelry. In the West Village, The Mincing Mockingbird brings its signature blend of irreverent artwork and witty gifts to the former Mission Gallery. And in a beautifully restored firehouse, Luxe Ranch Western Outfitter adds a stylish, Western-inspired sensibility to Main Street.
Go behind the scenes with two of Highway 1’s most distinctive food experiences. At Stepladder Creamery, guided farm tours and tastings invite you to meet the goats, hear the story behind the ranch and sample a seasonal lineup of small-batch cheeses before browsing the farm store.
Don’t Miss This Season
From fireworks over the Pacific to moonlit wellness ceremonies, these magic moments happen once a year. Mark your calendar accordingly.
Highway 1 knows how to throw a party, and the Fourth of July is proof. In Cayucos, the day kicks off with a sand sculpture contest and parade down Front Street before free fireworks launch off the pier at 9 p.m. Avila Beach starts with a pancake breakfast and the beloved Doggie Parade along the promenade, while Arroyo Grande fills Heritage Square Park with live music and Pismo Beach caps the night with fireworks over the pier.
At Sycamore Mineral Springs, the new monthly Moon Renewal Ceremonies offer a holistic way to mark the season. Aligned with the current lunar phase, each gathering includes guided yoga, a restorative sound bath and aromatherapy with essential oils for a genuine reset. Check the Sycamore Mineral Springs calendar for upcoming dates.
The Road to Highway 1 Is Open
Highway 1 is always worth the drive. This spring and summer, it feels fresher than ever. Open, freewheeling and ready to roll, the coast is calling with cozy stays, new flavors and unforgettable adventures around every bend. Grab your free Best of Highway 1 Road Trip Map to start plotting your dream route, or browse the Day Trips page for inspiration. Just remember: The best version of this iconic road trip is the one you make your own.
