Pacific Coast Highway: Pit Stops
5 Beautiful Drives
During your scenic road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway check out these great restaurants and hotels.
Where to Eat
Big Sky Cafe
On Higuera, SLO's tree-lined main drag, drop by the Big Sky Cafe for homemade buttermilk-ginger coffee cake and other vegetarian-friendly goodies. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
1121 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
www.bigskycafe.com
805-545-5401
Novo
In an 1890s cigar factory, Novo (which means "new" in Brazilian Portuguese) serves Brazilian, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine to a mostly local crowd.
726 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
www.novorestaurant.com
805-543-3986
Courtyard Deli
In Cambria, fill the cooler with sandwiches from Courtyard Deli.
604 Main St., Cambria, CA 93428
www.courtyarddeli.com
805-927-3833
French Corner Bakery
Also in Cambria, grab quiche, cheesecake and pastries for the road.
2277 Main St., Cambria, CA 93428
805-927-8227
Ragged Point Inn
The cliff-perched, glass-walled Ragged Point Inn offers awe-inspiring Big Sur views. The gourmet restaurant serves fresh Californian cuisine, but if you're there for a brief stop check out the snack bar.
19019 Highway 1, Ragged Point, CA 93452
www.raggedpointinn.com
805-927-4502
Nepenthe
In Big Sur Village, everyone goes to the terrace at Nepethne for Ambrosia burgers and sweeping coastline scenery.
Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
www.nepenthebigsur.com
831-667-2345
Where to Sleep
Madonna Inn
Even if you don't stay overnight in San Luis Obispo, the overwhelmingly pink Madonna Inn is a must-see. Its 108 themed rooms range from the shamrock-laden "Irish Hills" to the cowboy-inspired "Yahoo" suite. Definitely peek in the (literally) cavernous men's lobby restroom.
100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
www.madonnainn.com
800-543-9666
San Simeon Pines Seaside Resort
Around Cambria, moderately priced lodgings lean toward nondescript motels. A good alternative is the San Simeon Pines Seaside Resort — not exactly luxurious, but clean, comfortable and steps from the ocean.
7200 Moonstone Beach Dr., Cambria, CA 93428
www.sspines.com
866-927-4648
Big Sur Lodge
The Big Sur Lodge features forest-nestled cottages away from it all, with no phones, TVs, radios or alarm clocks.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
47225 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
www.bigsurlodge.com
800-424-4787
Deetjen's Inn
A slightly less secluded option is upscale-rustic Deetjen's Inn where guests keep warm on chilly mountain evenings sipping regional wines (www.slowine.com) beside the fire.
48865 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
www.deetjens.com
831-667-2377
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