My visit to the iconic Bixby Bridge in Big Sur
During my recent Big Sur Road trip, I had the chance to visit Bixby Bridge, also known as Bixby Creek Bridge. We were exploring Big Sur, starting from Carmel and going south to McWay Falls.
This iconic landmark, with its stunning architecture and breathtaking views, is a must-see on your trip to Big Sur.
Let’s get into the details of my visit to Bixby Bridge with important information about parking for the bridge viewpoints.
Where is Bixby Bridge?
Bixby Bridge is located on California’s scenic Highway 1, about 15 miles south of Carmel in the famous Big Sur region of Central California.
This iconic bridge spans Bixby Creek and connects the steep coastal cliffs, offering some of the most dramatic views of the Pacific coastline.
Bixby Bridge is a must-do stop in any Big Sur road trip itinerary.
About the bridge
Bixby Creek Bridge, completed in 1932, is one of the tallest single-span concrete bridges in the world. The bridge stands 260 feet above Bixby Creek and stretches 714 feet across, making it not only an engineering marvel but also a historical landmark.
It was built to improve access to Big Sur, which was previously isolated due to the steep, rugged terrain.
Parking
Even though Bixby Bridge is such a popular Big Sur attraction, I was surprised that there is no proper parking lot built to accommodate the vast number of visitors who pass by and want to stop and click pictures of the bridge. As a result, there is a lot of chaos and confusion at the North end of the bridge.
Maybe when the bridge was built, they didn’t realize it would become a bucket-list landmark in California!
We were driving from North to South and missed the parking lot, as there wasn’t a proper parking lot. We went over the bridge and realized that we had missed it. Then, at a larger pullout much further south, we made a U-turn and went back.
On the north side of the bridge, there is a shoulder on the side of the highway where cars were lining up. Only park here if you can safely do so without blocking the road.
There is another dirt road to the left called ‘Coast Road’ on the north side of the bridge, just before the bridge. We went up here and parked here.
Bixby Bridge Viewpoints
Even after all the parking drama, I was glad that I found a spot to park and stop to admire the stunning Bixby Bridge. The bridge is really beautiful and perfectly complements the surrounding scenery.
I have read that it looks great at sunset but we visited during the morning. Maybe next time will plan to go at sunset!
Below are some of the viewpoints for taking pictures of the bridge:
Coast Road – We parked up on Coast Road on the east side of the bridge, and the pictures of the bridge from here with the ocean in the backdrop were phenomenal. It was very windy, so we couldn’t get a good selfie.
West side of the Bridge – The west side of the bridge gives a different viewpoint with the mountains behind the Bixby Bridge. The cliffs are really steep here, and there is no guardrail, so be careful.
Hurricane Point – After crossing the bridge, keep going south for about a mile, and you will reach Hurricane Point. There is a large pullout area here with a parking lot. From here, you will see far-off views of Bixby Bridge. It was foggy when we visited, which made the view really stunning.
Final Takeaways: Visiting Bixby Creek Bridge in Big Sur
Overall, Bixby Bridge lived up to its hype for me, and I think it really deserves the attention as a historic landmark in Big Sur. It is a remarkable bridge, and the scenery surrounding it, along with the cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, cannot be beaten.
Parking is an issue, but with patience, you will find it. Remember to go slow as you approach the bridge so that you don’t miss it the first time around like we did!
What else is nearby?
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