Big Sur Travel Forum

My wife & I from UK have been visiting Big Sur for 30 years but have never ventured far up the Nacimiento Road. Know it is all unpaved but some sources say "best avoided" although the views are magnificent..we are coming mid-October, will be driving from LA & SLO up to Big Sur & thought it might be good instead of going via Ragged Point etc. as usual, to go via Paso Robles & the Fort Hunter Liggett base and across the Sta Lucia mountains using the Nacimiento-Ferguson road. Can anyone reassure us that it will (normally) be passable please? If so, should we upgrade the rental car to a 4WD SUV? Any advice gratefully received.

Hi...If we are talking about the road that cross the Liggett Base, and at which you check in entering and leaving, then I have taken that road a couple of years ago and SO THOROUGHLY enjoyed it. There had been a lot of rain recently and the entire hillsides and valleys were emerald green and CARPETED with orange, yellow, pink, and purple flowers. It was amazing, and a strange contrast with the tank traps and obstacle courses. Sort of like flowers growing out of gun barrels.

I easily did the road in a honda civic if I recall correctly.

Love the central coast and that area, and visit quite frequently....

Thanks Giampiero but not sure we ARE talking about the same road. Nacimiento-Ferguson Road does I guess go thru the base, although that's the bit we have never done. But it goes all the way over the mountain to Hwy 1 somewhat north of Gorda, and that bit we drove up a short way from Hwy 1 about 5-6 years ago and it was certainly unpaved then -- didn't look like too suitable for a Honda Civic! But maybe I'm just running scared...

Hi.. I think we're talking about the same thing and I think it's all paved. You can see it on Google Satellite imagery and it looks all paved. I think that's the road I took and we certainly were able to get through. i don't think there's another road that goes through from the 101 to 1 in that stretch so, I'm pretty sure we are on the same page. In any case...have a look at the Satellite imagery on Google maps and that will show it all. Hope that helps!

http://www.google.com/maps?q=Nacimiento-Fergusson+Rd,+Big+Sur,+CA+93920,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title

Thanks again, Giampiero - I admit to doubtr because last time I tried driving up that road a little way from Hwy 1, it was definitely strictly dirt. But yes, it has all been paved nowso I'll stop owrrying & just enjoy it.

Dirt or no dirt, you can't help but have a great time, and I don't think that even a dirt road will require a 4x4. Enjoy this glorious part of the state!

It may be too late to help you, but we just did the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in January 2008, and not only was it open, it was a wonderful journey. We got to stop at Mission San Antonio and the Hearst Hacienda on Fort Hunter Liggett, then we enjoyed a beautiful drive that takes about an hour from the fort's main gate near Jolon to Hwy 1. There had been some rock slides and flooding due to the recent heavy rains, but the road was open and easily passable.

Joe

BTW, the entire road is paved and takes about an hour to drive! Just call before your journey. Phone numbers are on this website: http://jrabold.net/bigsur/roadpt1050.htm

Joe

Great to know! Thanks,G