Big Sur Reopens to Motorcyclists After Four Years
Motorcyclists, rejoice! The road through Big Sur in Southern California is set to reopen to traffic after four long years.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the section of SR 1 blocked by Regent’s Slide has been cleared. The highway is open to riders and drivers alike from January 14.
The road’s reopening comes more than two months earlier than the March 30 deadline set previously. Motorcyclists can now ride from Carmel to Cambria uninterrupted for the first time in four years.
SR 1 is one of California’s most famous and popular riding roads, traversing the ruggedly gorgeous Big Sur coastline. Sadly, the road has been closed due to damage and debris from a series of landslides.
The now-cleared final section of the road was blocked on February 9, 2024, by Regent’s Slide. This landslide overlapped with the infamous Paul’s Slide, which has been a continuous problem for SR 1 since 2017.
“This reopening will bring much-needed relief to small businesses and families in Big Sur and the surrounding communities who have shown remarkable resilience and strength … This vital corridor is the gateway to California’s coast and the lifeblood of the Big Sur economy—and today it’s restored,” Governor Newsom said in a statement.
According to the governor’s office, the slopes surrounding the road have been stabilized with steel reinforcements in an attempt to prevent similar damage from possible future landslides.
The Big Sur coastline is a continuous headache to motorcyclists, local residents, and the state government. Based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Big Sur is among the country’s most landslide-prone areas, with more than 1,500 recorded slides.
Although the road is now open, state authorities caution riders and drivers that winter storms and other seasonal weather may cause smaller-scale unplanned closures along SR 1. For the time being, however, the road should be clear for the upcoming riding season.
If you’d like some inspiration for planning a ride on SR 1, you can start with our list of the road’s must-see attractions.