Bixby Creek Bridge Overlook
Bixby Creek Bridge on Highway 1 is one of the most photographed concrete arch bridges in the world, spanning a dramatic coastal canyon 13 miles south of Carmel. The north-side turnout offers the iconic view of the bridge with Pacific cliffs and ocean beyond. Built in 1932, the single-span arch rises 280 feet above the creek. For motorcyclists riding the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur, this is the defining photo stop — the curves of Highway 1 approaching from both directions are themselves a highlight. Park in the turnout on the north side of the bridge; do not stop on the bridge itself.
Built in 1932, the bridge is a reinforced concrete open-spandrel arch spanning the full width of the coastal canyon, with the arch rising 280 feet above Bixby Creek. When it opened, it was the highest single-span arch bridge in the world, and it remains one of the tallest. Before it existed, Big Sur residents were virtually cut off each winter because the only alternative — an inland detour along the Old Coast Road — ran 11 miles through terrain that was frequently impassable. The bridge solved that isolation problem and simultaneously created one of the most recognizable structures on the California coast.
The north-side turnout, on the ocean side of Highway 1, is where most riders pull in. From there the arch frames the Pacific below, with the canyon walls and open water beyond — the same composition that appears on countless postcards and in film and television productions. The bridge itself is narrow by modern standards, so cross it attentively and save the long look for the turnout. Note that stopping or parking on or immediately at either end of the bridge is prohibited for safety reasons; the turnout north of the span is the correct stop.
Highway 1 through this section has a history of storm-related closures and repairs — rockfalls and slides off the steep coastal cliffs are a recurring hazard, not a rare event. Check current Caltrans road conditions before heading out, especially after any period of heavy rain. The road was fully reopened in early 2026 after an extended closure for repairs, but conditions along Big Sur's coast can change.
The marquee stop on the Pacific Coast Highway ride: a 280-foot arch bridge over a sheer coastal canyon with ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and sweeping curves on both approach roads.
On the way: Pacific Coast Highway (Big Sur)
Shot by the riders who've run it.
Riders upload photos to their profile and tag the road or stop — tagged shots show up here automatically.