Editor’s note: Follow all of the action and updates on our special Monterey Car Week page.
Many people consider California’s Highway 1 — the famed Pacific Coast Highway, especially the ocean-side vistas between San Luis Obispo and Monterey – to be among the world’s most beautiful and spectacular driving experiences.
But a significant section of PCH has been closed since the spring of 2017 by a landslide in the Mud Creek area near Big Sur. The California Department of Transportation has cleared, repaired and reopened the road, with an official celebration set for August 9 with a “Dream Drive” featuring 84 cars, one from each year since the highway first was completed in 1934.
Visit California, which is helping the state with the drive, still is looking for several vehicles to fill out that roster, specifically vehicles from the 1936, 1938 and 1939 model years and from the World War II era, 1942-46. If you have such a vehicle and are available to participate in the drive on August 9, please email [email protected].
Speaking of the race track in Monterey, it will be the starting point for the Dream Drive with the 84 cars staging at the track at 7 a.m. in the Turn 5 parking area.
The 84 participating car owners will be provided with lodging in Monterey on August 8 and in Morro Bay on August 9, and they will be reimbursed for fuel and meals during the drive.
The drive will include a lap of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca at 8:20 a.m. before departure with a California Highway Patrol escort.
For those not able to participate in the official Dream Drive, Visit California’s website offers several itineraries for exploring the PCH.
With the road open again, Big Sur will be a destination for the annual Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance taking place during Monterey Car Week 2018.
Every car guy should make this trip,I love it you will to
Larry, the Pacific Coast Highway ends at Oxnard in Ventura County. From there to the north San Mateo County line Highway 1 is the Cabrillo Highway. Common mistake.