How to Get to Big Sur on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
Update: Highway One is now 100% open throughout Monterey County. Read this post for more information.
Great news Big Sur travelers: Highway 1 at Rocky Creek has just reopened 24 hours a day, just in time for travelers heading to Big Sur from the North. Sadly, geologic instability on Highway 1 at Alder Creek is keeping the roadway closed (in both directions) from the South. However, there’s an alternate route to this spectacular area via Nacimiento-Fergusson Road.
We took the drive to show you what it’s like on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road:
Beloved by motorcyclists, adventure enthusiasts and wildflower aficionados, Nacimiento-Fergusson is known as one of the most gorgeous drives in Central California. It’s a windy rollercoaster of a scenic drive that gives way to beautiful views of the Pacific Coast and mountain range. The road is paved and maintained but RVs and heavy vehicles are not recommended.
To get your trip started on this road less traveled, you’ll need to pass through Fort Hunter Liggett. Fort Hunter Liggett is an Army Reserve training base. Heads up! When entering the base on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road from the west (Highway 101) you will need to have your identification, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Also, this road is occasionally closed for brief periods during tank, artillery, and other firing exercises.
While driving on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, make sure you stop at the Mano Seco Group bench for breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast. Just look for the large turnout on the side of the road for easy parking; an opening in the fence provides gives way to a path that leads to the bench. Enjoy your drive to Big Sur!
8 comments
I understand because I live here that the only way for travelers to get south is to travel Naciemiento Road. And it’s wonderful that you are trying to keep people as informed as possible.
But…..
Can you please inform people that the road is narrow and was not designed for large motor homes, buses, vehicles towing trailers, or large semi trucks. There have been many traveling that road and it is a problem. What we are experiencing on the NF road is people on the wrong side of the road on blind curves and driving too fast.
Another thing people need to know before they head that way is, there are no services until they get to 101. People are having issues with running out of gas. No cell service so they can’t call for help. No bathrooms except the out houses at Ponderosa & Naciemiento campgrounds.
You are not allowed to stop and get out of your car on the military base and people are getting citations for that from the MP’s. They are also writing speeding tickets which are federal tickets and very expensive. Not to mention they can’t just mail them in to pay them, they have to go to Sacremento to court. And they are doing random car searches. Not sure why, but never the less they are doing them.
They need to know if they are going to head north on 101 to follow the small King City sign. And if they want to head south to follow the small Bradley sign. The other day a family got lost back in the Indians because they missed the sign. They ran out of gas and were forced to sleep in their car for the night and the man walked out the next day to get help.
Since it looks like Alder Creek will not be cleared and open again for another 6 weeks or more, I guess what I want to impress more than anything as tourist season is upon us, is that we need to properly inform the travelers on what to expect on this road and how to be as prepared as we can make them.
It is a beautiful drive. I myself take an annual trek to photograph the wildflowers this time of year. But people in general when on vacation, do not understand how dangerous this road can be. They are used to driving fast and I find they are spending a lot of time looking at the beauty and not paying attention to the road. Just the other day our local CHP officer told me that he is surprised he is not getting daily calls for accidents up there. I told him he probably would if there was cell service.
We must not forget the locals who must drive that road to get home or to work are with their families and children and it has been a very dangerous situation. Especially when tourist head up that road before dark. As you know, that road is not one to be traveled in the dark when you don’t know it or where you are going.
Thanks for taking the time to read this letter. I feel your post is the one that explains how beautiful it is. But people also need to hear the reality of what to expect.
Thank you,
Avis Latone
Hello,
We are planning to travel to Big Sur on 4.27 through northside and camp out a night at SP while we enjoy the sites around there.
Our trip plan is to head south after Big Sur. We plan to take N-F road to continue our trip south. Do you recommend us to do this?
We will be driving a mini-van.
thank you
Yu-En
Hi Avis!
Thank you so much for your post. I’ve been reading plenty about the detour and you’ve given me the best information. I’ll be driving from Monterey back to LA and I, like a lot of travelers, are so sad about Alder Creek. I can only imagine the impact it has had on the residents and businesses. I was just wondering how long the NF road will it take to get to the 101 South from Big Sur? And also, where is the Bradly sign? I’m sure its hard to describe but even though it’s a small sign, it’s not hard to miss right?
Thank you for your time.
Kay
Thank you everyone for reading and commenting. There are several factors that we’ve been advising visitors who choose to travel Nacimiento Fergusson Road:
• The road is narrow, winding and rural. This route is for experienced drivers only.
• RVs and heavy vehicles are not recommended.
• One must drive through Fort Hunter-Liggett to access Nacimiento Fergusson Rd. and provide necessary documents and observe all public traffic regulations in doing so.
• Visitors should be prepared at the time of their departure: gas up and bring water and snacks.
Nacimiento Fergusson Road is not for everyone; if drivers are not comfortable with the above factors, they should utilize an alternate route such as the newly re-opened section of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek.
Hello,
I am doing a ride in a few days going North-South. I will be taking the Nacimiento Fergusson and join up with Hw1 and continue south. This route is open right?
Thanks
Huefsa,
If you are heading south, you can take Highway 1 from Monterey south to Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. At that point you will need to connect to the 101 to head to Paso Robles, at which point you can once again connect to Highway One.
Let us know if you have any more questions!
What is the approximate drive time from 101 to the 1 on N-F for someone driving safe speeds and stopping at scenic points?
Hi Dan,
Plan for 1.5 hours to travel from Hwy 101 to Hwy 1 via Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. Make sure to take the following into consideration:
- The road is narrow, winding and rural. This route is for experienced drivers only.
- RVs and heavy vehicles are not recommended.
- One must drive through Fort Hunter-Liggett to access Nacimiento Fergusson Rd. and provide necessary documents and observe all public traffic regulations in doing so.
- There are no services on this road: gas up and bring water and snacks.
If you are not comfortable with the above factors, we recommended taking scenic Hwy 1 south to Big Sur, which is 100% accessible via this route (there is a temporary closure on Hwy 1 approx. 40 miles south of Big Sur). You can get to Hwy 1 from Hwy 101 via Hwy 68 west. Hwy 1 is more direct and just as spectacular.
Happy travels!
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