Bixby Creek Bridge Complete Visitor Guide
Placed at the top of “must see” lists year after year, Bixby Creek Bridge is an iconic and photogenic Big Sur subject. It was even rated the #1 “Instagram Worthy Destination” for 2019 by travepulse.com, and today we’re going to check it out together.
Taken from Castle Rock Viewpoint before sunset
History
Construction began on Bixby Creek Bridge August 24th, 1931. The bridge was built for $200,000 (equivalent to $3 million today), and the bridge officially opened on November 27th 1932. Interestingly, construction of the bridge was completed nearly five years before the completion of the actual highway, which would connect Carmel to San Luis Obispo. Standing at 280ft high with a total length of 714ft, Bixby Creek Bridge was the highest single-span archway in the world at the time it opened. The bridge was named after New York businessman Charles Henry Bixby, who fell in love with Big Sur and harvested lumber and lime here during the late 1800s. 300,000 feet of timber, 600,000 lbs of reinforcing steel, and 45,000 sacks of cement were used in the construction process. The materials were transported across the canyon by slings suspended from a cable 300 feet above the creek…no wonder people are impressed by this historic bridge!
Taken from Castle Rock Viewpoint before sunset
Shoot Locations
Where exactly can you take the best pictures of this impressive structure? I’m sharing my five favorite locations below.
Taken from Castle Rock Viewpoint before sunset
1. Castle Rock Viewpoint
Probably the most popular spot to view the bridge is located on the ocean-side at the north end of the bridge. This stop has the largest parking area and closest pull out to the bridge. You will enjoy an up close look at the bridge here, but be advised this spot can get very busy and the parking area can be overwhelmed at sunset and on weekends/holidays. An Interesting piece of local history Is that there was once a gas station, restaurant, and small hotel located where the dirt parking lot is now. Sadly, a fire destroyed it in the 1940s and the abandon structures were bulldozed off the cliff. However, part of the foundation is still here if you know where to look.
Taken from the south side of the bridge at dusk.
2. South Side of the Bridge
There is a very small pullout just south of the bridge (on the ocean-side). A short but steep path leads up a hilltop, which gives incredible views facing north. If you want to capture long exposure shots of cars traveling across the bridge after dark, this is definitely my recommendation.
Taken from Hurricane Point View mid-day
3. Hurricane Point View
Located about a mile south, you can get unobstructed views of the bridge in the distance from here, and I love being here for golden hour. It’s not nearly as crowded as the bridge, and you can still enjoy watching the sunset paint beautiful colors over the ragged coastline.
Taken from Old Coast Road just before sunset
4. Old Coast Road
If you’re driving north over the bridge you’ll run into Old Coast Road to your right (keep your eyes peeled or you might miss it). This was the (treacherous) route used by travelers before the bridge was built. I’ve never made the full journey, but it doesn’t take much to get great views of the bridge with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Please be advised the land on both sides of the road is privately owned, so stay on the road and do not trespass.
Taken from Old Coast Road just before sunset
5. On the Bridge
I want to state first that if you have any fear of heights or issues with vertigo, this is not a place for you, and the path is VERY narrow (the bridge is only 24 ft wide to begin with). I would never EVER walk out on the bridge if there was traffic coming in either direction, so I’ve visited this bridge many times without enjoying this spot. Having said that, as an aerialist and figure skater, I am in my element at high heights and skilled balancing, so this spot is not intimidating at all for me. When I’m sitting on the concrete benches perched atop this bridge, I feel right at home. If you’re lucky enough to get a sunny quiet morning here to yourself, it can be an incredibly serene and magical place.
Taken just south of the bridge at sunset
Overuse
I still remember my first drive over this bridge...long before iPhones or Instagram existed. It felt like I’d happened on one of the seven wonders of the world, and I knew this would always be a special spot to me. It’s been disheartening to see a very real shift in this area over the past decade. Bixby Creek Bridge (and Big Sur in general) definitely deserves the incredible reputation it has. However, I have personally seen a huge uptick in mistreatment of this place, which is heartbreaking because Big Sur really is a little slice of heaven on earth! Unbelievable things like cars stopping on the middle of the bridge to snag pics, people leaving the worst sorts of trash, buses blocking the road, and “selfie seekers” attempting to climb down the cliff (yes I have seen a sunset search and rescue happen at the bridge). Please don’t be that person. I understand firsthand the desire to adventure and explore. I also understand how wonderfully overwhelming it can be to experience this incredible bridge for the first time. The Big Sur Pledge is a great place to start when it comes to honoring and respecting both the land and the local residents here. Please take a moment to take a look and sign the pledge. I want everyone who has a desire to experience this place for themselves to be able to enjoy this iconic bridge as much as I have over the years, and if we are responsible in how we visit we can help keep this place magical for future generations.
Taken south of the bridge at dusk
Nearby points of interest:
Garrapata State Park (5 miles N)
Calla Lily Valley (5 miles N)
McWay Falls (23 miles S)
Limekiln State Park (38 miles S)
Jade Cove (45 miles S)
Sand Dollar Beach (45 miles S)
Salmon Creek Falls (55 miles S)
Ragged Point Inn & Trail (60 mile S)
San Carpoforo Creek Beach (62 miles S)
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery (70 miles S)
Estero Bluffs Sate Park (90 miles S)
Point Estero Shipwreck (95 miles S)
Know before you go:
• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.
• There are no restrooms here
(so plan accordingly)
• There are no trash cans. Please do not leave any garbage here.
• Bixby Creek Bridge is extremely narrow, so drive slowly and carefully, and watch out for pedestrians.
• Much of the surrounding property is privately owned, and hiking down to the beach is not only dangerous, but can be considered trespassing.
Taken from Castle Rock Viewpoint mid-day
In Summary
Thanks for joining me on the beautiful Bixby Creek Bridge today for a virtual tour. Make sure to check out my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or check it out on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Taken from Hurricane Point View mid-day
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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