Less than 15 miles south of Carmel spanning Rainbow Canyon, Bixby Bridge is one of the world’s highest single-span bridges. Completed in 1932, it was built by prisoners eager to lop time off their sentences. Off-road parking is limited and can create a traffic hazard. Consider stopping instead at other safer lay-bys taking in equally stellar coastal scenery at many other places further south along Hwy 1. If you do stop at the bridge, early morning is the safest option.
Before Bixby Bridge was constructed, travelers had to trek inland on what’s now called the Old Coast Rd, a rough dirt route that reconnects after 11 miles with Hwy 1 near Andrew Molera State Park. When the weather is dry enough, the old road is usually navigable by 4WD or a mountain bike.
