Big Sur Information

Header photo by bigsurkate

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AS OF 2/20/26 — HIGHWAY ONE IS CLOSED FROM 1 MILE NORTH OF LUCIA TO 1 MILE SOUTH OF ESALEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO MUD OVER CATCHMENT ONTO HIGHWAY AT REGENTS.

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Links for phone users who can’t see the links to the right without scrolling through two years of posts. I’ll start with just a few, but if you have others you wish to see here, let me know.

Big Sur Maps (3) with slide names, locations, etc.: https://bigsurkate.blog/big-sur-interactive-highway-maps-with-slide-names-mile-markers/

Caltrans Interactive Map: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

CHP dispatch: https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx

 

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Interactive Highway Map with Mile Markers and slide names is to the right, under “Pages” first one *Big Sur Interactive Maps... if the following link doesn’t work. *Big Sur Interactive Slide Maps will answer any questions you may have about where something is in relation to something else.

MY DIRECT EMAIL IS: kwnovoa(AT)mac(dot)com

 

Regent’s to open at 4 pm, 2/20/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE: HIGHWAY 1 AT REGENT’S SLIDE TO OPEN FRIDAY, FEB. 20 AT 4 PM

MONTEREY COUNTY – Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide will open Friday, Feb. 20 at 4 pm. Through travel is again restored between Cambria and Carmel.

Crews cleared mud and debris from the roadway and made progress on clearing the catchment area behind the concrete barriers on the shoulder of the northbound lane.

Travelers will encounter daytime one-way traffic control starting Saturday, Feb. 21 as crews continue to work from the northbound lane to clear the catchment area. Traffic control is expected to be in place through the weekend and travelers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

Clearing of the catchment area will permit debris to accumulate during future weather events allowing the roadway to remain open.

Electronic message signs on the approach to Regent’s will caution travelers to reduce their speeds in the event that any silt on the road combines with overnight moisture.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Regents Closure Update from Caltrans

Date:Friday, February 20, 2026
District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:Kevin Drabinski or Heidi Crawford
Phone:(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3318 
  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CREWS IN FULL PRODUCTION FOR CLEANUP AT REGENT’S SLIDE

WHILE REMAINDER OF HIGHWAY 1 REMAINS OPEN

MONTEREY COUNTY – Taking advantage of clear weather, crews have ramped up production for cleanup of Highway 1 near Regent’s Slide. Crews began work at first light today to clear debris and mud from the catchment area which has overtopped the concrete barriers on the northbound shoulder. Crews hope to have an estimate on the reopening of the roadway at the end of shift today.  

A relatively small 6.8-mile segment of Highway 1 is closed during this cleanup from two miles north of Lucia, to one mile south of the Esalen Institute.

Over 80 miles of Highway 1 is open for your weekend travels from San Luis Obispo to the communities of Cambria, San Simeon, Ragged Point, Gorda, Treebones, and Lucia.

And over 45 miles of the highway is open from Monterey to one mile south of the Esalen Institute – offering a chance to see all the majesty of Big Sur proper.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5. 

Our crews deserve to get home safely too.

Drive slowly and carefully in work zones.

CHP Traffic Incident Information Page: http://cad.chp.ca.gov

Traveler information at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

| #BeWorkZoneAlert | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

A picture from February 18, shows how rock and debris have overtopped the concrete barriers on the northbound shoulder of Highway 1 at Regent’s 

Highway One Closed For 6.8 miles

From 2 miles north of Lucia to 1 mile south of Esalen

Date:Tuesday, February 17, 2026
District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:Kevin Drabinski or Heidi Crawford
Phone:(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3318 
  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGHWAY 1 ON BIG SUR COAST REMAINS CLOSED NEAR REGENT’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY – A 6.8-mile segment of Highway 1 near Regent’s Slide remains closed due to ongoing debris cleanup as a result of ongoing winter storms.

Highway 1 is currently closed from two miles north of Lucia, to one mile south of the Esalen Institute. Message and directional signs are in place to alert travelers in advance of this closure.

The slope above the roadway at Regent’s Slide remains stable. However, the catchment area at the base of the slope has filled with debris that has eroded during recent rains. This erosion activity is an expected outcome following recent slide repairs and will continue as the slope seasons over time.

At present, debris in the catchment area has overtopped the concrete barriers on the northbound shoulder, allowing debris and rocks to travel directly on to the highway.

Crews will begin to clear debris from the catchment area during upcoming breaks in the rain. This cleanup effort is dependent on weather and site conditions. Updates will be provided as work progresses and at present there is no estimated time for a full reopening.

Highway One Closed Overnight


Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) @CaltransD5 •

A full closure Hwy. 1 is in effect from Ragged Point Inn in San Luis Obispo Co. to one mile south of Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn in Monterey Co. No estimated time of reopening. Closure due to rockslides and debris in the roadway at
multiple locations. Crews to reassess at daylight..

Big Sur Historical SocietyFilm Presentation

BIG SUR HISTORICAL SOCIETY FILM PRESENTATION

Sunday, February 22nd – 2pm – Big Sur Grange

BSHS invites the Big Sur community to join us and view Big Sur – A Land Apart, a film made in Big Sur in the 1980’s.  Narrated by Betty White, it’s a wonderful view of life in Big Sur 40 years ago. Interviews with locals, federalization, wildfires, comments on tourist traffic, and more. 

Free showing – look forward to seeing you there!

Weather & Road Report, 2/16/26

3:00 pm – There is an active slide at Mill Creek which Cal Trans will be keeping an eye on until 6 pm, when they go off duty.

8 an – How are you holding up? As usual, Mining Ridge takes the win with almost 6” in the last 24 hours. So far, the chp is not reporting any closures on Highway 1.